[-Adrian]

One of my hard drives died on me yesterday. Today i managed to access it for a short time and rescue the most valuable files, good enough! I had made backups but not very frequently.

I know we've had numerous threads like this, but let me use this opportunity to remind everyone to do backups and replace aging hard drives. So back up your stuff lads!

[Tea_Bag]

Agree!! I use an online backup service and its saved my bacon a few times! So yes backup, backup, backup!

[tom]

I suggest replacing/upgrading your harddisks after max 2 years even if they are still working.

[m-Que]

Also gotta be careful with the external HDDs -
they can have a quality HDD, but that chip inside of the case is a PIECE OF CRAP;
you can say that by simply looking at it. What they do is simply brake
That happened with both of my HDDs in just a couple of years.
One was Seagate, the other one - WD. Both where within the warranty, but who cares when you need the data RIGHT NOW.
The best and the fastest thing you can do is to open that case and install the HDD to your PC as the usual one.

BTW, does anyone has experience with that thing, when you have 2 HDDs -
they main one, and the other one for the backup? Sorry, can't remember the word for it.
If so - does it work? is it reliable? is it hard to set it up?

[Bubbaloo]

I built my office computer with 2 identical HDD's, mirrored. It has saved me a couple of times. We also have off-site and external back-ups. I'm covered.

[Maximus3D]

Backups ? i don't do that. Probably should do it as i have lots that would be sad to loose in a crash. I'll do it later sometimes...
Btw, all expect one of my hdd's are older than 5 years and they are still going strong after all these years of use and abuse.

/ Max

[philip99]

I wish this was posted 2 week earlier.. could have saved me lot of work. BACKUPS, ok now I know such as mirror drive,
I will do it, many thanks for saving my next data.. good thing some work was on usb key was little help there..

[ivox3]

Be S.M.A.R.T.

[itsallgoode9]

I've fallen in love with online backup. For the most part. $5/month for unlimited online backup. It backs up automatically anytime a file is changed so you don't have to hunk about it once you add a file or folder for backup. Only problem is the initial backup process, unless you have fils o something similar. I've been working on backing up about 500 gigs for about a month now :-/ due to my 750kb/s upload speed. I geneally cancel the backup when I'm working and since I work from home, I'm on my computer pretty my much all the time. It's probably only uploading 4-6 hrs a day become I cancel the current backup. When it starts again the next morning though, it picks up right where it left off. If you are gone during work everyday and keep a regular sleeping schedule, this could probably be done in a week or two.

Regardless of that time issue I love it an highly recommend it.