Hard drive dying...

j-baby-scotland

Know the signs... my pc is playing up, hard-drive almost 3 years old...
So, been smart enough to order a usb2 (to backup pics) flash drive when I have no usb2...

Looking for free webspace to host my pics if anyone can help.

Merci buckets.

One of these days I'll get all organised.
(did try to back up to d drive, but not playing)

Toxteth_OGrady

https://www.inbox.com

5GB free.

:cool:

TOG

Cricri

I'd use GMail since I'm already registered.

Why don't you run the manufacturer diagnostic tool on the hard drive?
Maxtor=PowerMax
Seagate=SeaTools
Hitachi/IBM=Drive Fitness Test
etc...

Be careful not to run a destructive test though! Some of those can do a low level format.

Phil51

http://www.btdigitalvault.bt.com/

This will give you at least 1Gb and is secure.

https://www.imagecave.com

Fantastic for photo's, sharing etc and can also be used to host ebay pics which means you do not have to pay to have any number of photos when selling.

Aiadi

https://www.streamload.com/

That is 25 (yes twenty five) GB of free storage. although your downloads are limited each month (unless you pay) but for backups it is unbeatable.

GoofyGAT

If you use Streamload, get their free MediaMax XL software for much quicker up/downloads - it really works well!

winkflash for free no-obligation unlimited photo storage.

I've always found https://www.inbox.com (TOG's suggestion) very good too. G

Little_John

Do what I did the other day, as soon as I got the inacessable boot device error switch the pc off, go buy a new drive and disconnect the failing drive untill you are ready to transfer all your stuff over.

I got everything running again after reinstalling windows and transfered all the docs, pictures downloads, email etc over to the new drive. I have since tested the drive and it seems ok but I still don't trust it for anything other than my download location.

If the stuff you want to transfer off is important then dont risk loosing it by using the pc.

BillScarab

Or better still, get a new drive and you use an imagine prgram like Ghost or Acronis TrueImage to copy everything to your new disc. Much simpler than re-installing windows and your PC will be exactly as it was before just with a new HD. Re-installing does have the advantage of clearing all the crap off your PC though.

Moneymaker

I'd be reluctant to let a faulty drive cool down. That can sometimes be the final straw.

Anyway, no computer is complete without an external backup drive and automatic copy software. Mine backs up new files every single night. I should never lose more than a day's work (and, God knows, that would be bad enough!)

sham63

Are you saying that you have no USB ports on your PC? Your external drive should still work even if they're not USB2 ports - it will just be a bit slow! Alternatively, add a USB2 card - you can get them for £13 at PC world or £7 on Ebay.

Little_John

Using a drive copying program does save a bit of time and makes the process easier but you never know when it will fail, if it fails during the transfer process then the data will be lost, its always better to copy the stuff you want off than risk loosing it. make a backup to cd/dvd then if you want to copy the drive then go ahead.