It finally happened...

[Zeb_Carter]

Yep, my desktop C: drive crapped out yesterday. I turned the machine off to disconnect everything so I could clean the desk it all sets on, the box itself is in a rack next to the desk, so it didn't get touched, and the damn thing won't start up.

The bios couldn't even see the drive. It could see the CD, and my second drive, but not the primary. So, no go. I used a recovery DVD to see what the diagnostics would see...nothing.

So...I'm on my laptop which is two years older than my desktop...expect it to buy the farm any minute. The sound card is already shot and the internal WiFi won't turn on, something about the damn switch you can use to shut it off.

Parts and Operating System have been ordered. Luckily, my second drive has all my data on it...the only thing gone missing is all the applications, which I will now have to reinstall...should take about two weeks to download them all again.

Wish me luck.

 

[49greg]

That sucks, hope you've done a recent backup.

Look at is an opportunity for a new computer. That's what my wonderful better half told me last October, when it happened to me.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

That sucks, hope you've done a recent backup.

Look at is an opportunity for a new computer. That's what my wonderful better half told me last October, when it happened to me.

All my stories and data are on a separate drive and the stories are backed up to a flash drive and a 64gig mini-sd card. The art for my websites and book covers is there too.

The only thing I lost was all those programs I had installed, but most I can get from where I purchased them. The others were free downloads.

If I didn't know better I would say I'm Scottish.

 

[StrangeLife]

When I first saw the subject of this thread I thought you had gotten laid...

Yeah, computers are fickle thingies that cannot be trusted - I'm convinced they are female. So I'm keeping my critical files in Dropbox (in a TrueCrypt container - no reason to make life too easy for the NSA).

 

[Zeb_Carter]

When I first saw the subject of this thread I thought you had gotten laid...

Yeah, computers are fickle thingies that cannot be trusted - I'm convinced they are female. So I'm keeping my critical files in Dropbox (in a TrueCrypt container - no reason to make life too easy for the NSA).

Okay then...

If the NSA think the shit on my computer is worth their time to even look at, then they really don't have anything to do...like catch the real bad guys.

 

[Handley_Page]

Yep, my desktop C: drive crapped out yesterday. I turned the machine off to disconnect everything so I could clean the desk it all sets on, the box itself is in a rack next to the desk, so it didn't get touched, and the damn thing won't start up.

The bios couldn't even see the drive. It could see the CD, and my second drive, but not the primary. So, no go. I used a recovery DVD to see what the diagnostics would see...nothing.

Parts and Operating System have been ordered.
Wish me luck.

I know this feeling, only too well.
I've had three Hard Drives go down; fortunately, the important stuff is on a DVD or three.
New stuff's on order and I'm building a new machine.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I know this feeling, only too well.
I've had three Hard Drives go down; fortunately, the important stuff is on a DVD or three.
New stuff's on order and I'm building a new machine.

I'd do that too, but the one I have is almost brand new inside. The only other thing I would get is a new case. The CPU, GPU and the rest are a number one quality parts...the only thing that was questionable was the diskdrive that was original to the computer and had the operating system on it.

Oh, well...a new case is next.

Kind of thinking one of these three...

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428798/Carbide_Series_Spec-02_Mid-Tower_ATX_Gaming_Computer_Case\

http://www.microcenter.com/product/422086/HAF_XB_EVO_Test_Bench_and_LAN_Box_Computer_Case

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...flow_White_LED_ATX_Cube_Computer_Case_-_Black

I'm leaning toward the last one even though it's more expensive...the power supply isn't under the motherboard or blowing on it.

 

[Hypoxia]

My important data goes into the cloud. Specifically, to DROPBOX, which I have installed on four different machines. When a DROPBOX-handled file is updated, that update propagates across the filesystems of all the computers powered-up at the time -- and my desktop system is always on. So I don't much worry about losing my texts, notes, databases, speadsheets, working images, etc.

 

[Handley_Page]

I'd do that too, but the one I have is almost brand new inside. The only other thing I would get is a new case. The CPU, GPU and the rest are a number one quality parts...the only thing that was questionable was the diskdrive that was original to the computer and had the operating system on it.

Oh, well...a new case is next.

Kind of thinking one of these three...

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428798/Carbide_Series_Spec-02_Mid-Tower_ATX_Gaming_Computer_Case\

http://www.microcenter.com/product/422086/HAF_XB_EVO_Test_Bench_and_LAN_Box_Computer_Case

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...flow_White_LED_ATX_Cube_Computer_Case_-_Black

I'm leaning toward the last one even though it's more expensive...the power supply isn't under the motherboard or blowing on it.

I seldom turn my PC off, so there's an extra fan in the side of the case to raise the air pressure inside the box.

My important data goes into the cloud. Specifically, to DROPBOX, which I have installed on four different machines. When a DROPBOX-handled file is updated, that update propagates across the filesystems of all the computers powered-up at the time -- and my desktop system is always on. So I don't much worry about losing my texts, notes, databases, speadsheets, working images, etc.

Do you encrypt your files on the way to the cloud?
I'm not minded to trust anything on someone else's machine - anywhere.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Okay, it's back up!

Installing all the updates. 177 of them! A gigabyte of updates.

I didn't know my machine could run so fast!

With the new drive and Windows 7 it's a speedy little bugger now.

Now to finish loading all those apps that I just have to have or need to do what it is I do. Can't wait to do all the games downloads. Should take several nights and days.

 

[Handley_Page]

Remember all those updates to XP ?
Were they applicable to XP pro 64 as well ?

 

[Hypoxia]

Do you encrypt your files on the way to the cloud?
I'm not minded to trust anything on someone else's machine - anywhere.

I've been working with secured commo and data systems since 1975. I trust nobody and nothing. Yes, I encrypt those files, all except those I *want* publicly visible. And I should have mentioned that my DROPBOX files are backed-up to a local memory stick daily. I think I have it covered.

 

[slyc_willie]

Since I initially saw this thread title, I haven't been able to get the Queen song out of my head . . . .

I'm Going Slightly Mad

But I'm glad to hear you got your problems fixed, Zeb.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Remember all those updates to XP ?
Were they applicable to XP pro 64 as well ?

??? IDK. I'm using Windows 7 now. Haven't used XP in...what?...6 years.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Since I initially saw this thread title, I haven't been able to get the Queen song out of my head . . . .

I'm Going Slightly Mad

But I'm glad to hear you got your problems fixed, Zeb.

Thanks Slyc.