Major Computer Crash Wiped Out Everything

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Last night my computer crashed big time and everything was wiped out. Diagnostics revealed hardware problems. Maybe this is a radical thought, but I think I need a new computer. The thing is only six years old! Anyway, what has transpired lately for me is two external harddrives going kaput, a laptop melting down, and a computer going berserk and crashing due to hardware problems and whatnot. Life is good.
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Maybe your hamster died. Did you check the treadmill that powers your system?
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Maybe your hamster died. Did you check the treadmill that powers your system?
      What hamster? The mule's outside and it is fine. You're talking about the newer, more compact model, I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I can relate to that. I've gone through crashes - 2 actually. They suck. Especially for those of us who are technically retarded.
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      I can relate to that. I've gone through crashes - 2 actually. They suck. Especially for those of us who are technically retarded.
      Crashes are nasty to just about everybody. I'm technically apt-ish. Come to think of it I'm ish-ish in a lot of ways. Luckily it was more annoying than anything else, since I stored the vital files on a cloud drive, so I can continue on my merry-ish way.It's a hassle to have to select a new desktop computer. Already need to get new cellphones and just recently bought a laptop. The sales personnel love me much to their surprise, since I don't look like a goldmine (more of a broke thug appearance, I'd say, with impression confusingly offset by my charming and smiling toddler).
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Yep, went through two, the first the computer acted up, and l tried to clean it up with an aggressive cleaner, which basically removed a substantial amount of data, and then by accident l removed the backed up data in the cleaner.

      By-by most stored data!

      But thankfully l backed up the vital stuff on CD.


      Then the second time l tried to increase the clock speed, in the BIOS, because it was slow, and after that mistake, it wouldn't let me, log in, just put up an error screen!

      Couldn't get into safe mode either!


      I took it down to a con artist computer repairer, in torrential rain, and of course he was in an area with stupid pay tickets for cars.

      Then l finally lug it in there and eventhough he said he would look at it, on the phone, he refused when l was there, and just kept pointing at the $500 new ones????

      I should have told him to F***** off, but just mumbled a few things and left!

      I found out later online, that all l had to do was remove the watch battery, and change the plug, near it, and l got my PC back!


      Computers are fun, so much fun, l would like to see how far l could throw one!


      But l have had my Laptop for more than a year and it has been purring like a kitten by comparison.

      I also have a quality backup hard drive! :p

      Shane
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I keep a backup of all important stuff on an external hard drive and I also keep it on a USB drive that I carry with me when I go out in the UNLIKELY even that I get robbed or the place burns down.

    One or the other has helped me countless times.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I keep a backup of all important stuff on an external hard drive and I also keep it on a USB drive that I carry with me when I go out in the UNLIKELY even that I get robbed or the place burns down.

      One or the other has helped me countless times.

      Sounds like something I'd like to get. Not sure about what USB is, but anything external would be good for storage. I don't want to keep my stuff in the "cloud". IF a corporation or gov want my info, they need to work to get it, I'm not just handing it to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael71
    Only 6 years?

    This is, for a computer, 90 years of your lifetime...

    What I am always doing:

    a. once a week harddrive image of the system drive on external usb drive (I am using Acronis software)
    b. important files synchronised with external usb drive

    If system drive crashes, just buy new hdd and restore latest image.

    Doing this daily on servers prevents lots of trouble
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Michael71 View Post

      Only 6 years?
      <snip>
      That was meant humorously.
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    • Originally Posted by Michael71 View Post

      Only 6 years?

      This is, for a computer, 90 years of your lifetime...

      What I am always doing:

      a. once a week harddrive image of the system drive on external usb drive (I am using Acronis software)
      b. important files synchronised with external usb drive

      If system drive crashes, just buy new hdd and restore latest image.

      Doing this daily on servers prevents lots of trouble
      You do this daily? Is there some kind of automatic backup program you use, or know of a good one? Finding files and transferring can be a chore...
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  • Profile picture of the author tonyb23
    On your new computer, I would suggest storing everything you can in the cloud. No matter what happens to your physical computer, you'll always have those files safe.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    USB is an external flash drive/data storage device:



    They come in all sizes.

    Sal, you probably already have one, maybe just wasn't sure of the name
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      Here you go Heysal, just $5 including post for a 2GB USB flash drive.

      New 2GB 2 GB 2G USB 1 0 1 1 2 0 Lighter Shaped Flash Memory Drive | eBay

      Since you're not into highly technical stuff, programs and such and I suspect most of your sensitive data is all pretty much written material a 2GB USB flash drive like this one should be more than enough for your needs.

      Just save any critical info to this device then if your computer does ever crash and you cannot get it going again, at least now you'll have everything backed up on this memory device.

      Buy another computer or laptop, plug this into your new machine and voila, everything is back to normal.

      For just $5 can you afford not to buy this?

      Kindest regards,


      Mark Andrews
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

      USB is an external flash drive/data storage device:



      They come in all sizes.

      Sal, you probably already have one, maybe just wasn't sure of the name
      ACTUALLY, USB is the INTERFACE!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    BTW most USB drives have a VERY limited life. So they aren't great for data that always changes.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Actually, I have a Pentium IV that is running since 8 years +.

    Tough little machines those pentium IVs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sue McDonald
    You don't appreciate how important a good that back up and restore point is until somethings goes radically wrong. I had a complete failure about two weeks ago and fortunately I was able to get back online. I think these are hard lessons to learn. Make sure you do regular backups.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    My backup image is 88.7 gigs.
    Honestly, if you can afford it nothing beats a good USB external hard drive and a great backup program. I use and highly recomment Storagecraft's ShadowProtect Desktop.
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  • Profile picture of the author ozzie2012
    One can never have too many backups. I even have backups for my backups
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    maybe the computer died laughing at prince phillip's jokes...
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