desktop hdd

[ranchmom5]

I now have everything up and running with the new computer -thanks so much to all who helped me here! I even found all of my files...no loss of anything.

BUT, it did make me very aware at how lax I have become about backing up files. My question is: should I format my old Hdd that is now installed in the new computer and use it as a backup? Is that safe, i.e. if the computer crashes would it affect that backup hdd? Would it be safer to keep it in an external enclosure? Or is there another option for backing up that would be even better? If there is, I am still toying with the idea of buying a mobo off of ebay or something and rebuilding the old computer just for the experience and fun of it.

Also, the new hdd (running W7) is 640G and the old hdd is 320G

Thanks
Sharie

[Neil]

Backing up files to a seperate internal hdd protects you if your main hard drive should fail. If you back-up drive should fail, you should still have your file on the main drive. So basically that protects against hard drive failure. Now if you have a damaging electrical spike, like what killed you other computer, that may or may not damage one or both hard drive. So internal back-up doesn't really give much protection there.

The value of external hard drive is that it allows for the back up files to be store in a different location. After making your back-up, you can remove the drive, and it won't be electrically connected (or otherwise) to your computer. And if the back-up is stored in another building or elsewhere, then you data is somewhat protected from fire, or some other disaster that may strike you main computer.

[spuddog]

Another vote for external enclosure.

Scott

[RealBlackStuff]

Another vote for external.
If you would get (or have already) a program like Acronis TrueImage, you just take an image of the whole hard disk.
Repeat that at regular intervals (e.g. once every week or two weeks).
A restore shouldn't take more than maybe 10 minutes, depending on HD size.
You could also copy your "My Documents" and your email folder and other userdata onto a USB stick in between.

[ranchmom5]

I have Acronis but have never been able to figure it out! Kind of silly probably, but for some reason the way it is set up just doesn't compute with my brain.

Windows 7 has a built in backup system that also says it does a full image. Is that the same as what ATI would do?

I had to do a little looking, but found an external hdd that I had bought a few years back. It is a Western Digital 100G. It will be fine for now, but may have to buy another as information builds on the new hdd.

Thanks guys! I think I might just try to do a rebuild on that old computer! I can sell it for a small price or give it away to someone in need. If I do, you will probably see some questions here!! LOL

I guess I can start with how to figure out what mobo I need. Do I have to buy the exact one that Dell had in?

Sharie

[Neil]

I guess I can start with how to figure out what mobo I need. Do I have to buy the exact one that Dell had in?

Probably not. Google the boards model number and yoiu will find specification pages for it. Then find a board from any manufacturer that supports the same CPU, RAM etc. that the Dell board did and you should be good. Unless, you are thinking of just sticking the original hard drive back in and booting up without reinstalling the OS. In that case you likely would need the same model board, or at least one with the same chipset. I recently replace an HP motherboard with another make that had the same chipset, and the original HP preload was able to boot just fine, but XP complained that it was not genuine, because it could tell it was on different hardware.

[vanaya]

Since I live more than 800 miles from my parents house I did something a little bit similar. I bought them a larger hard drive and left the old drive in the tower and disconnected it. Therefore, if power or hdd failure happens I can instruct them to re-connect the drive and restore back up from there. Of course it will not be as convenient as connecting or disconnecting (or recent backups) it by usb cable, but at least the drive doesn't get lost or buried under my mom's vastly accumulating junk!