Re: Computer Backup

Jim Hall wrote:

"Bob Giddings" <bobg@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1igme2tsu1itsk28entaqnb1el6scns23v@xxxxxxxxxx

I'm having some problems with my laptop.

I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, and had to
reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. I don't know if
there was a connection, but I'm still using AVG and no problem in
a couple of weeks.

Now my CD/DVD drive is acting up. There's a problem with
stuttering audio in DVD and music CD, but not with CD data. At
least I can install from it.

I've got an extended warranty I want to use for this, but I need
to back up everything again before hand. Any time you send off a
laptop for repairs, the HD often gets wiped even if they don't
need to.

I am thinking about buying a back up HD system, and wonder what
you guys are using for that. I've always just backed up critical
files, but then I've never before experienced a crash like this
last one. I couldn't even get to DOS on the hard drive. No safe
mode. No system restore. A black screen of death.

What I'd like is to be able to copy everything over to another
drive, and then just copy it back via USB or firewire, so all I
need to reinstall is the basic operating system.

It took me two days to approximate my usual settings after this
crash. I lost a lot of URLs. That is not the end of the world,
but next time I hope to make recovery easier. Nothing like being
thrown in the river to make you want to learn how to swim.

There's lots of different solutions at Circuit City, running
around $150. Any preferences?

Bob


http://www.arcatapet.net/bobgiddings


I made my own external drive using a 2.5" case (less than $20, USB 2.0) and a laptop hardrive.
i.e. you can get a 60GB laptop drive for about $60.
http://www.pricewatch.com/notebook%5Fdrives/
It makes for a much smaller footprint than the 3.5" monsters, plus it's USB powered; no external power supply needed, thus an even smaller footprint. It fits easily in my laptop backpack or even my pocket.

Here's the type of case I'm referring to:
http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prodcd=HDXC21B

http://castle.pricewatch.com/s/search.asp?s=external+2.5+case
..


I bought one from Tigerdirect.com . Ten bucks plus shipping. I've already rescued the pictures I hadn't put on cd yet. Now I'm trying to figure out how to get my bookmarks off it and the latest address book. Can't run Netscape from the old drive and can't rescue the bookmarks from Firefox. I'm close to saying screw it and formatting the old drive (30 gig).

Anybody got any ideas <g>?
Hugh
.

Relevant Pages

  • Computer Backup
    ... I'm having some problems with my laptop. ... I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, ... reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Computer Backup
    ... I'm having some problems with my laptop. ... I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, ... reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Computer Backup
    ... I'm having some problems with my laptop. ... I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, ... reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Computer Backup
    ... I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, ... reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. ... I have a pair of Seagate 120GB external drives that I use for backing up ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Computer Backup
    ... I experienced a complete and utter crash down to CMOS, ... reinstall XP, after installing AVG on my system. ... drive, and then just copy it back via USB or firewire, so all I ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)