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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Hoping someone can advise.
Last night I had a scare when my PC began to make dreadful noises, even after I'd turned it off and on again a couple of times.
I went to bed with the fear that I might have lost all my lyrics/music files, plus my work files, all of which I last backed up a few months ago.
This morning the PC worked fine, thank goodness, and I quickly copied the above-mentioned files onto my external HD. However, in the backup department, I now want something more reliable than I am.
Firstly, which would you recommend: a backup or a synchronisation programme? Why?
Secondly, do you know of good freeware or of a programme that's user-friendly, reliable and economical?
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks!
Donna
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
Top 20 Poster
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Top 20 Poster
Joined: Nov 2006
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There are lots of freebie backup progs available. Basically you do not really need them..... just copy and paste everything you need to save to an external. Better still have two just in case one breaks down. Only plug these in when backing up. Back up as you go. Worrying about the PC making weird noises. You may want to "Ghost" your whole system so that if your PC crashes and burns all your O/S programs and files etc can be reinstalled and appears just as you left them on the new PC.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
Top 20 Poster
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Top 20 Poster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463 |
PS if you do not know what you are doing setting up a "Ghost" it may be best to get an expert to do it for you. Old broken hard drives can have info retrieved from them but it is expensive and not all info is obtainable or usable.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
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OP
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2 |
Thanks for your input, Jim. Until I set up a more definitive system, I'll copy-paste, but I don't want to rely on that. I know that at some stage I'd forget... Donna
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,330
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Joined: Sep 2001
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Thanks, Jean. Plenty of interesting links there. Another I've come across is allwaysync.com.
Donna
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,195 Likes: 1
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I copy all my "good" files onto two flash drives. They are cheap and easy to use. Most of the flash drives include a software program that will automatically synch your computer files.
Tom
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 104
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 104 |
I’m obsessive about backups. I burn CDs all the time and put them in a fire safe. I also email every story and lyrics to myself on a different systems and free email sites. I print hard copies when I finish a writing to put in the safe. I put songs on many different websites. As well as my mp3 player. This is good not only for backup but for copyright proof. What can I say.. I’ve had around 15 computers in the last 20+ years and only lost one hard drive. And I have everything I have even don on a computer. now ask me to find something. HUH? LOL!
What kind of noise was your computer making? Was it from the speakers or in the box? You should really look into the sound issue.
have a good day, dave
Spelling and grammer are not my thing, so excuse the type-Os... Iffin I don't review your song, sorry, I'm trying to stay with styles I like. But I do listen to all on 2 pages when I have time.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
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OP
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2 |
Tom, yes, I plan to buy a large flash drive. I didn't realise most have a synch programme. I'll look into that. Dave, thanks for chiming in here. I definitely get your point about backups. The noise was inside the box, and - as I recall - was a horrible grinding sound. It began suddenly and repeated two or three times, after I'd turned off and then rebooted the computer. When I turned the computer on the next morning, however, the noise didn't re-occur, nor has it since (knock on wood). The PC is a Dell Dimension 9150, about 4 years old. Donna
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1
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Could be a disk drive but it also could be a cooling fan. If it makes the noise when the computer is off, it is a mouse with four legs.
Two external hard drives backed up regularly should do it.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
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Top 20 Poster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463 |
Colin is correct crunching noises coming from a PC when shutting down or booting usually indictae hard drive is on the way out. It can go anytime usually when you least expect it. Back up ASAP.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,822
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
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I have an extra hard drive for backups, and generally copy/paste myself, but I also will burn certain "permanent" files to either CDR or DVD-R depending on how much space is required.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,330
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Yes, I have an older computer right now that is doing that. When it started I transferred my files to my newer one. And not I am working on transferring my stuff to my new apple Time Capsule.
This wasn't the first time it happened. My G5's first hard drive went bad and I backed up my files to the one that is bad now. Then when I got the hard drive replaced, I transferred them back. Well. I had a lot of duplicate files on both of them. (Not to mention some flashdrive transfers back and forth from school.)
This is what happens when you copy a lot of files into folder called "Sort later."
Don't do it, lol.
Anyway, that sound likes the drive is about to go.
That will be $75, please.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
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OP
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2 |
Thank you all for contributing! I'm on it! (Jean, I certainly know all about 'sort later'. ) Donna
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
Top 100 Poster
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OP
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2 |
Thanks, Jim. Just about to check these links out.
Donna
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