Computer question(s) Hard drive, O.S

[meuandthelot]

Hello

Well I just had my hard drive let go, seize, whatever they do..without warning, went to put my comp into stand by and see ya.

Anyway, I always backed up much of my info, pics, etc. but now I feel like I've left something behind, not to mention my updates, desktop configuration, and tweaks. I'M BUMMED

Who has used or uses a hard drive monitor/program such as Spinrite(seems nice) or similar "With Success" plus any tips here? I'm thinking an external 500G Maxtor with daily auto-backups, IF the next area can be done

Has anyone had luck with a Complete "Ghost Image-Back-up" (I don't know the technical term) of your system so you can basically upload & have your old system on a newly installed hard drive.

Part II:
Both my computers came with pre-installed Operating Systems, BUT they only supply a recovery disk that gets you back to factory fresh..arrrgh.

So now I have to buy, or locate ..lol an operating system...Suggestions??
Dallassisco mentioned Linux at first I was hesitant but after some research, I'm seriously considering a dual boot system with it(If I can figure it out that is) as it seems very reliable, virus's don't affect it..and most people write them to affect large numbers and MicroSoft O.S's are the target there.

I'd still like Either XP home, pro or another Windows as my main OS since I'm so familiar with them and they've really become stable.

Anyone?? Please

[meuandthelot]

Well, looks like we have a bunch of techies here :)

Dual boot with XP Pro(I have to figure how to clean install though) & Knoppix is what I'm going to do. Maxtor external hard Drive and I should be good to go.

See you again in about 10 days(I hope) fingers crossed

[SingleDaddyof2]

Hey Rich, sorry to hear about your hard drive giving out. I understand there are some software out there that might be able to help you recover your data. And if that fails, there are some companies where the techs can physically recover your data.

As for a new OS, Windows Vista has gotten a lukewarm reception at best. XP is what I use and is probably the way to go. If you're gonna do a clean install of XP, then this might help. I've also heard good things about Linux but have never used it. Good luck to you!

[dallascisco]

Spinrite-

Works if the the problem is logical but if the problem is physical then no software is going to fix it. I say a physical problem as in bad saectors or a burnt out motor.

Imaging-

For imaging I suggest Acronis.

Linux-

www.distrowatch.com


Factory refresh-

I don't understand why a factory refresh won't work for you. It includes the operating system plus other software. It restores your machine to the way in looked when you opened the box.

www.acronis.com

[SingleDaddyof2]

The problem with factory fresh is that it doesn't help you recover any files you've created/downloaded that were saved on the hard drive. But if Rich has done a recent backup of his created/downloaded files, then its not so bad. Also a clean reinstall means having to reinstall previously installed programs and tweak settings back to pre-crash status.

[meuandthelot]

Thanks Andy..Pauls's site is one I haven't seen, the layout is nice too.
more info to add & hopefully ensure I've dotted and crossed 99% of my i's and t's.

Factory refresh-

I don't understand why a factory refresh won't work for you. It includes the operating system plus other software. It restores your machine to the way in looked when you opened the box.

Correct as long as you only replace minor internal parts. Mess with CPU, change configuration to much and it becomes a pita(unless you pre save the nesc drivers,etc)They're basically bios locked to that MB & configuration.

Anyway..
Since I already paid for the OS once when I purchased the machine I didn't like having to pay almost 60% of a full OS for these OEM disks(which they didn't supply originally)


spinrite-

Understood, but at least it looks like it will offer a layer of HD protection. V/S it's been 2,3 years I had better completely back-up a "Mirror" of my system and replace the HD. Although looking at the prices, even $50 every 3 years is a bargain, sans the downtime, loosing a stable system(if it made 3 yrs it's stable ;) and reinstalling years worth of tweaks, updates & upgrades etc.. *much of this is why oem is a pita too*

PS:
Your help was invaluable Dallas, I do appreciate your time. distrowatch was a key in my Linux decision as was Ubuntu & knoppix along with a bevy of other sites/distro's & features. Hey, linux can actually mount a failing drive allowing a person to retrieve files, it'll even allow a way to get past the password protection/Admin feature because quite frankly Linux only see's the data not the commands ;)

[dallascisco]

I'm an IT professional by trade and have been fixing computers for a living for many years. I've not seen a machine that would not allow a factory refesh cd to work simply because of a new cpu. CPU support is built into the operating system. The problem comes in when you add third party hardware that is different from the original (outside of cpu and ram) as the refresh cd only contains drivers for the original hardware configuration.

The fact that your machine didn't have recovery cds is rather odd. Personally I would have returned the machine to the store and insisted on disks or a new box. Any OEM machine bought online or from a big box sotre should have restore/recovery disks, bottom line. The end user needs to have a way to reset their machine.

I don't understand what you mean by "bios locked". As long as you install a cpu the motherboard supports it should work. With older machines the bios would need to be updated a fter a cpu upgrade to change clock multiplier, front bus, and vcore voltage settings. Most newer motherboards autosense this information.

I don't know if adding spinrite is really an added layer. Sometimes hard drives simply stop working (i.e a head crash). Every so often they will start having bad sectors and that will give you a little time to swap your drive. The best way to keep your hard drive at peak performance is to run disk cleanup, defrag, and spyware utilities at least once a month. This keeps your hard drive running near its peak so when you notice severe slowdowns you know something is wrong.

In my opinion OEM machines are a large hassle. This is why I build all of my machines from third party parts that are hand selected my me. I run into fewer proprietary quirks this way. Building a working computer has become much easier and you can even by board/ram/cpu bundles that you can slap into a case and add the rest of the parts. This cuts out the most difficult parts for most novice computer users.

I told you linux was your friend. I keep a knoppix cd in my kit for situations just like yours.

Thanks Andy..Pauls's site is one I haven't seen, the layout is nice too.
more info to add & hopefully ensure I've dotted and crossed 99% of my i's and t's.



Correct as long as you only replace minor internal parts. Mess with CPU, change configuration to much and it becomes a pita(unless you pre save the nesc drivers,etc)They're basically bios locked to that MB & configuration.

Anyway..
Since I already paid for the OS once when I purchased the machine I didn't like having to pay almost 60% of a full OS for these OEM disks(which they didn't supply originally)


spinrite-

Understood, but at least it looks like it will offer a layer of HD protection. V/S it's been 2,3 years I had better completely back-up a "Mirror" of my system and replace the HD. Although looking at the prices, even $50 every 3 years is a bargain, sans the downtime, loosing a stable system(if it made 3 yrs it's stable ;) and reinstalling years worth of tweaks, updates & upgrades etc.. *much of this is why oem is a pita too*

PS:
Your help was invaluable Dallas, I do appreciate your time. distrowatch was a key in my Linux decision as was Ubuntu & knoppix along with a bevy of other sites/distro's & features. Hey, linux can actually mount a failing drive allowing a person to retrieve files, it'll even allow a way to get past the password protection/Admin feature because quite frankly Linux only see's the data not the commands ;)

[SingleDaddyof2]

...In my opinion OEM machines are a large hassle. This is why I build all of my machines from third party parts that are hand selected my me. I run into fewer proprietary quirks this way. Building a working computer has become much easier and you can even by board/ram/cpu bundles that you can slap into a case and add the rest of the parts. This cuts out the most difficult parts for most novice computer users...

My buddy helped me build my previous computer in 2004 (which my kids are now using) and it still works great. I built my current machine and it's great--wasn't very difficult at all. It's fun and I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of it. There's lots of online help out there to help you create your own custom machine.

[dallascisco]

Your motherboard manual contains most of the instructions you need to put a computer together. Typically the hardest part for most novices is mounting the cpu/cooler or the case wiring.

My buddy helped me build my previous computer in 2004 (which my kids are now using) and it still works great. I built my current machine and it's great--wasn't very difficult at all. It's fun and I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of it. There's lots of online help out there to help you create your own custom machine.

[meuandthelot]

I'm an IT professional by trade and have been fixing computers for a living for many years. I've not seen a machine that would not allow a factory refesh cd to work simply because of a new cpu. CPU support is built into the operating system. The problem comes in when you add third party hardware that is different from the original (outside of cpu and ram) as the refresh cd only contains drivers for the original hardware configuration.
I don't understand what you mean by "bios locked".

You said what I meant better than I, I meant tied to the original system & specs &/or mother board in some way and "Bios locked" came to mind.
I still don't fully understand how The oem Windows OS & the same Windows system in retail form differ, but I learned they do.

The fact that your machine didn't have recovery cds is rather odd. Personally I would have returned the machine to the store and insisted on disks or a new box. Any OEM machine bought online or from a big box sotre should have restore/recovery disks, bottom line. The end user needs to have a way to reset their machine.

Agreed 110%, they have the HD partitioned with a copy of the OS in there, the original recovery cd is very basic. Why I didn't question a true XP cd or the 6CD bundle they want to sell me now at P.O.S/P??

I wasn't really looking that deeply as this was an entry level system, and it came with about a 25 cd bundle(mainly bloatware/spyware I find now.

Anyway, this says it all.....

In my opinion OEM machines are a large hassle. They really are when you realize just what's available AND your machine doesn't need to run 49 processes to operate ;)

Thanks again,
Rich