Especially if it’s running Windblows. (Had to do that, I really did.)
Anyway, all done. Except for the programs I need to reload, oh, and the documents, etc., I need to transfer, we’re good to go on this end.
I have a love/hate problem when it comes to being my own tech weenie. On the one hand, I really do usually know within a few moments when something’s up and I can narrow it down. This time the symptoms were either:
Hardware – a loose cpu or memory gone bad
Software – something corrupted. I played around to figure out it was explorer.exe
However, it took about three hours to get it done. Two and a half of that were waiting for the drive to format or files to load or the seemingly endless cycle of rebooting to set it all up again.
But it’s done.
I’m thinking seriously about heading to Mozy.com or Carbonite.com and plunking down the $60 a year or so for good back up. Have any of you used something online? At a minimum, I’ll spend another couple of hours tomorrow backing up this fresh and re-tweaked configuration to an external hard drive.
These little toys were supposed to make our lives easier. Granted, a majority of what I do now is based online, so all I really need is an internet connection, but nothing beats a reliable laptop.
Ok, that’s it for now. The weight-lifting soreness is setting in. (Static wall squat today. Oh my goodness how can something that appears so innocent hurt so badly?) I think it’s aspirin and a warm bath for me.
PS – Got a good start on Still Alice today at the car servicing waiting room. This one’s going to need some discussion!
10 responses so far ↓
1 The Chad // Feb 2, 2010 at 9:20 pm
An external hard drive is also nice to have as it makes the restore process quicker since you aren’t limited by the speed of your connection. Mozy or Carbonite is nice to have in the event of some sort of structual disaster and to complement the external hard drive.
2 BrkfldDad // Feb 2, 2010 at 10:44 pm
You can get a 1TB external hard drive from BestBuy for $110. I did that rather than some external service.
3 Anthony // Feb 2, 2010 at 11:11 pm
I agree with the others. Use an external hard drive. It’s faster and larger, and if you go on places like TigerDirect or Newegg, they’re extremely cheap. If you must go with an online service, use iDrive. You get 2GB free and 10GB extra if you refer your email contacts. I believe more storage is only $4.95 per month for 150GB of data. There are even more plans for more space. I use an external drive along with a backup to my dedicated server, which I’m in a server co-op with.
4 Cindy // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:36 am
I’ve had a 500gb external for a couple of years now that’s not even half full. With compression and all, I should be fine. It might be time to pick up a second, though. I do like a second place to put all my photos.
5 Wilson828 // Feb 3, 2010 at 7:35 am
There is just something about an online service that doesn’t feel good. Letting them store private data and the high probability they’ll go out of biz and my backups are gone.
Use redundant backup drives. And use Acronis software …. http://www.acronis.com
I’ve used Acronis for years and restored data and it works flawlessly. Backups are scheduled.
Get a good router and slap a harddrive on it for wireless backup in the house.
Oh and the backup takes only moments with their compression routine.
Then go buy a Mac. You don’t need one. You can’t do anything business wise on it … it will frustrate you because somethings won’t move over to the Mac platform but you’ll so love it – love like you do your iPhone or iPod Touch.
It’s all about toys.
I’m going to buy the iPad. I don’t need it. I have no real use for it. But I think I need to have it. It’s Apple and it’s fun.
And as soon as Apple gets a clue and moves the iPhone to more cell phone companies so I’m not forced to AT&T … I’ll get one of those too.
6 Anthony // Feb 3, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I would love to get a Mac someday…just tell me how to get the $2,000 I need to get a decent one when I can build a similar PC for less.
7 Cindy // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:00 pm
True. Son #1 runs Linux on his main machine. Maybe that’s where I need to look instead of a new machine.
8 Anthony // Feb 3, 2010 at 6:32 pm
You can always run Linux with a VirtualBox of Windows 7 so you have the best of both worlds.
9 Dan H // Feb 5, 2010 at 5:29 pm
On my 3rd year with my MacBook Pro. Still fast and problem free. Easy backups with TimeMachine whenever I plug in my external.
10 Pat // Feb 6, 2010 at 9:42 am
Listen to Dan H…please go visit the Apple Store and just talk to them. I have been a loyal Mac user since college and have not owned anything but Apple. My husband’s boss just switched six months ago after being a loyal PC guy for years. He said that even the conversions he was worried about went easier than he’d expected. Now, he’s lobbying for their office to have Macs. Once you have a Mac you won’t look back! Plus, you’re very creative and will have a lot of fun with all the bells and whistles!!!!
Leave a Comment