External HDs (Backing Up Data)...

[yes yes yes]

Sorry to hear about your road accident. Get well soon. :angels:
Sound advise from ed007, jasonperez and busenbust. Rep to you all.:yesyes: :yesyes: :yesyes: :hatsoff:

 

[busenbust]

^^Thanks yesxxx, really kind of you

 

[ChefChiTown]

Here's a question I have about external HDs...

What happens if my external HD can no longer be recognized by my laptop for some reason? IE - what if my USB port goes bad or there are errors with a driver?

I believe also you had a previous (same?) problem with your laptop in the not too distant past. Whatever your existing anti-virus/anti-malware software is, it's not doing its job effectively. I use: Avast, SpywareBlaster; Microsoft Windows Defender and SpyBot (and my router's port blocking).:thumbsup:

It was the same problem I was having before. I THOUGHT I had cleaned my HD from all of it's viruses, but I must've missed something because a virus was blocking me from being able to use Windows. It was tricking my computer into thinking that it didn't even have a HD to access. I kept getting all sorts of error messages that revolved around having bad memory, but my memory was fine. It was just part of the virus that I missed which was making my computer think things that weren't true. Sort of like a technological roofie, you know?

My dad worked on my computer for a bit and ended up having to use Linux as the OS for my laptop. Technically, by using Linux he would've been able to save all of my data (by transferring it to thumb drives and then transferring it to his own computer), but that would've taken way too long, so I just formatted my HD.

 

[busenbust]

^^If I recall correctly, at the time (when I posted) I suggested doing an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP. You would not (I think) lose your files/programs, but you would lose Windows Updates.

:my2cents:

 

[ChefChiTown]

^^If I recall correctly, at the time (when I posted) I suggested doing an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP. You would not (I think) lose your files/programs, but you would lose Windows Updates.

:my2cents:

I tried that (and much more), but Windows Anti-Virus Pro disables your computer's ability to run utilities such as System Restore. I used MalwareBytes to delete the virus from my HD, but apparently it didn't remove all of the files, because it eventually made my laptop believe that it didn't even have a HD. That's why my dad had to use Linux to even access my laptop.

:dunno:

 

[BlueBalls]

Welcome back Chef :Kiss:

I've actually been looking to purchase one of these things myself. So I thank you for opening this thread. :hatsoff:

 

[busenbust]

"...but Windows Anti-Virus Pro disables your computer's ability to run utilities such as System Restore."

 

[ChefChiTown]

"...but Windows Anti-Virus Pro disables your computer's ability to run utilities such as System Restore."

Windows Anti-Virus Pro is a virus that, if you don't catch quickly enough, will disrupt your computer's ability to run commonly used programs and utilities that are Windows based, such as Windows Media Player, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, System Restore, etc.

Apparently, I didn't catch the virus in time, so it disabled my laptop's ability to run those things. For example, if I would double-click on my Windows Media Player icon, nothing would open. If I would double-click on my Microsoft Internet Explorer icon, nothing would open. I would just get a quick hour glass where my cursor was and then nothing would happen. That's what Windows Anti-Virus Pro would do to your system, which is why I couldn't run System Restore or repair any "broken" or missing files on my HD.

 

[kksguy]

:wave2:

Hi Chef,
Sorry to hear about your accident...hoping you have a quick recovery :thumbsup:

It was suggested to back up files to disks that's OK but I use external hard drives.

I buy my computer equipment from an on line company called Newegg.

New egg has a great selection and prices. No sales tax and sometimes free shipping. You'll receive your order within 3-5 business days.

Western Digital and Seagate are the best brands.

Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[zell]

I tried that (and much more), but Windows Anti-Virus Pro disables your computer's ability to run utilities such as System Restore. I used MalwareBytes to delete the virus from my HD, but apparently it didn't remove all of the files, because it eventually made my laptop believe that it didn't even have a HD. That's why my dad had to use Linux to even access my laptop.

:dunno:

I had a huge problem with MalwareBytes.It found the viruses that was infecting my pc,but just like you said,it didn't remove them all.Supposedly,then you are supposed to rescan and use SuperAntiSpyware to remove the rest of the viruses.

Also,MalwareBytes removes executable file that you will actually need.When it does that,you're fucked!

Had to format,and really,that's the best way to get rid of all of your spyware.

1TB hard drive my man,that's the cure to your ills.

 

[AFA]

Some of you may have noticed, and some of you may have not (or did, but just didn't care), but I haven't been around lately. Now that I'm back, I need your help. Oh, and just to answer any "where have you been" questions, I've been in the hospital. I got hit by a car and I've been lying in a hospital bed for a few weeks. Awesome, huh? I'm alright, BUT...my computer is not.

Long story short, my laptop had a virus which made everything completely stop working. I couldn't access Windows, I couldn't access anything. The only solution was to format my HD, so I lost eeeeeverything that was saved. It's absolutely devastating when you lose every single file you had saved on your HD. Those who have been there know exactly how shitty it feels. Anyway, in case I have to revert to formatting my HD again in the future, I'm looking for the best way to back-up all of my data so I don't lose all of my work...and/or porn.

Does anybody have any suggestions or reviews on external HDs or other forms of back-up? I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks.

Hi Chef! Sorry to hear of your plight.

If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco has a 1.5T Seagate on sale until 11/29 for $109. No coupon needed.

 

[ed007]

hey. it's AFA. ^^ :nanner:

that's very useful info, jasonperez + busenbust. i think i'll rep you guys. :bowdown:
i pray this "Pandora Recovery" works. :angels: :glugglug:

 

[ed007]

i can't rep busenbust again right now so i hope some else does it for me. :hatsoff:

 

[busenbust]

^^LOL, thanks ed

 

[busenbust]

I believe also you had a previous (same?) problem with your laptop in the not too distant past. Whatever your existing anti-virus/anti-malware software is, it's not doing its job effectively. I use: Avast, SpywareBlaster; Microsoft Windows Defender and SpyBot (and my router's port blocking).:thumbsup:

Forgot to mention the excellent and very powerful NoScript add-on for Firefox:thumbsup:

 

[raychik]

Thanks for the rep Edd007 and yes yes yes

 

[busenbust]

Here's a question I have about external HDs...

What happens if my external HD can no longer be recognized by my laptop for some reason? IE - what if my USB port goes bad or there are errors with a driver?

I suppose the old adage about eggs/basket. So, perhaps implement different back-up strategies?? From top of my head:
- back-up to cd-r, cd-rw, dvd-rom
- back-up to a drive that has both usb and firewire/e-sata ports
- back-up to a NAS appliance (more costly, but far more reliable with ability to RAID your data.
- and don't forget the obvious: make sure that system restore does indeed function properly.

 

[busenbust]

remember folks -- backup and then backup :thumbsup:

 

[1ManRevolution]

Some of you may have noticed, and some of you may have not (or did, but just didn't care), but I haven't been around lately. Now that I'm back, I need your help. Oh, and just to answer any "where have you been" questions, I've been in the hospital. I got hit by a car and I've been lying in a hospital bed for a few weeks. Awesome, huh? I'm alright, BUT...my computer is not.

Long story short, my laptop had a virus which made everything completely stop working. I couldn't access Windows, I couldn't access anything. The only solution was to format my HD, so I lost eeeeeverything that was saved. It's absolutely devastating when you lose every single file you had saved on your HD. Those who have been there know exactly how shitty it feels. Anyway, in case I have to revert to formatting my HD again in the future, I'm looking for the best way to back-up all of my data so I don't lose all of my work...and/or porn.

Does anybody have any suggestions or reviews on external HDs or other forms of back-up? I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks.

We got a 1.0T external from Pro Drive. Got it from Best Buy. Basicly use it to back up our family photos and photo's of our son. But so far so good. Though when the Geek Squad removed a virus from our computer they backed up everything onto the external...including the virus.

My advise would be don't fucking use Geek Squad...I ended up getting a friend to clean it for $65. 1/4 what Geek Squad charged.

 

[shayd]

I miss having Chef around.