Although it's prudent to do it, don't let anyone tell you it's a simple
matter to make a copy of your files on another hard disk. In case you should
want to attempt it, here is a step-by-step guide.
An 80GB internal EIDE hard disk will cost around £40 (inclusive of VAT) in
the UK. Expect to pay postage on top of this. A larger disk, or an internal
SATA, or an SCSI disk will all cost more than that.
How to make a backup copy of your files -
1. Buy a new hard disk, one which is at least as large as your existing
disk. (Buy a larger one by all means. But if you use Windows 98/ME, do not
buy a disk larger than 137 GB as that is the largest supported size.) I
personally have had good experiences with Western Digital disks. Buy it e.g.
from
http://www.Amazon.co.uk or
http://www.eBuyer.com
TIP: Buy a disk which is the same make, model and size as your existing hard
disk. Then you don't have to worry about whether the new disk will be
compatible with your system.
2. Also buy an earthing strap, and attach it both to your wrist and to the
earthing point, to prevent electrostatic damage to the fragile computer
components. Follow exactly the written instructions supplied with the strap;
and ensure that you are properly earthed at ALL times.
3. Go to the website of the disk's manufacturer. Download their software
tools for setting up a new hard disk. (In the case of Western Digital, I use
the program Data Lifeguard Tools for DOS v11.2). Run the program, to create
a bootable 3.5 inch floppy disk containing the necessary software.
4. Shut down the computer, then switch it off at the mains. Earth yourself
as described in step 2 (above), then open the computer's case and detach the
existing hard disk, as follows. You will need a small cross-headed
screwdriver: use it to remove the screws holding the disk in the retaining
cradle. Then unplug two cables from the disk itself: (a) one 4-pin power
connector, and (b) one 40-pin data connector. Then slide the disk out of the
metal retaining cradle.
NOTE: The existing hard disk will be similar in size and shape to the new
disk you've just bought, but will be partially obscured inside the metal
retaining cradle.
TIP: Be careful to note the orientation of the hard disk before you unscrew
it. Note which way the end with the power and data conectors is facing in
the retaining cradle!
TIP: Be careful NOT to disturb any of the other cables or connectors inside
the computer. Do NOT touch the printed circuit boards. Do NOT unplug
anything else.
5. Set the physical jumper switch on the new hard disk to SINGLE. (See the
label on the disk casing for instructions on how to achieve that setting, as
this varies between different disk manufacturers.)
6. Attach the new hard disk to the existing IDE cable (the 40-pin data
cable) in your computer. Do this by connecting the new disk to the black
connector at the END of the cable. Do NOT re-connect the original disk.
(When only one disk is attached, it MUST be attached to the END of the
cable).
NOTE: The 40-pin connector only fits one way round: one of the 40 holes is
blocked and there is also a small protuberance on one edge of the connector,
so as to prevent the cable being fitted the wrong way round.
7. Connect a 4-pin power cable to the new disk (using ANY free 4-pin
connector). The power cable's connector is designed to only fit one way
round.
Tips for Steps 6 and 7: Don't try to *force* a data or power connector to
fit! If it won't plug in easily, you are probably trying to connect it the
wrong way round! Look closely at its shape and at the shape of the connector
on the disk, to make sure which way round it fits.
8. Carefully slip the new hard disk into the metal retaining cradle, which
had previously held the original disk, and fit the retaining screws. Do NOT
over-tighten the screws! (You might need to use the screws which previously
held the original disk, as new disks often don't come with any screws.)
NOTE: The new hard disk MUST be screwed in! This is essential. Otherwise,
vibration when the disk is powered-up (from the disk motor spinning at 5,400
revolutions per minute) may cause fatal damage to the delicate disk
electronics.
TIP: Be careful to orient the disk so that the end with the power and data
conectors is NOT facing the wrong way in the retaining cradle!
9. Make sure that the new hard disk now has one power cable and one data
cable plugged into it, and that it is screwed to the retaining cradle. Then
screw the cradle back into place. Close the computer case (re-attaching its
screws).
NOTE: Be careful NOT to leave any tools, or surplus screws, inside the
computer.
10. Start the computer with the floppy disk you made earlier: i.e. put the
floppy disk in the floppy drive slot, then start the computer. The Data
Lifeguard program will load automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions
to install a brand new hard disk. The program sets up the new hard disk to
accept data. This is an essential step!
11. When step 10 is completed, shut down the computer and switch off at the
mains. Earth yourself as described in step 2 (above); then open the computer
case and detach the new hard disk. (Remove the screws holding the disk in
the retaining cradle. Then unplug from the disk the 4-pin power connector
and the 40-pin data connector.)
12. Set the physical jumper switch on the original hard disk, and the one on
the new hard disk, to CABLE SELECT. (See the label on the disk casing for
instructions on how to achieve that setting, as it varies between different
disk manufacturers.)
13. Attach the original disk and the new disk to the existing IDE cable (the
40-pin data cable) inside your computer. Do this by connecting the original
disk as the Master (i.e. connect it to the black connector at the END of the
cable), and by connecting the new disk as the Slave this time (i.e. connect
it to the grey connector in the MIDDLE of the cable).
NOTE: The 40-pin connectors only fit one way round: one of the 40 holes is
blocked and there is also a small protuberance on one edge of the connector,
so as to prevent the cable being fitted the wrong way round.
14. Connect a 4-pin power cable to each disk (using ANY free 4-pin
connector). The power cable is designed to only fit one way round.
Tips for Steps 13 and 14: Don't try to *force* a data or power connector to
fit! If it won't plug in easily, you are probably trying to connect it the
wrong way round! Look closely at its shape and at the shape of the connector
on the disk, to make sure which way round it fits.
15. Slide the two hard disks into the retaining cradle, which at the
beginning had held only the original disk, and screw them in. Do NOT
over-tighten the screws! You might need to buy four small screws to attach
the new disk, as new disks often don't come with any screws. In an
emergency, you'll usually find that the screws which attach the outer casing
of the computer to its frame are the size you need, so use those. Buy new
ones to secure the casing to its frame again as soon as you can.
NOTE: Both hard disks MUST be screwed in! This is essential. Otherwise,
vibration when the disks are powered-up (from the disk motor spinning at
5,400 revolutions per minute) may cause fatal damage to the delicate disk
electronics.
16. Make sure that each hard disk now has one power cable and one data cable
plugged into it, and that both hard disks are screwed to the retaining
cradle. Then screw the cradle back into place. Close the computer case
(re-attaching its screws if possible).
NOTE: Be careful NOT to leave any tools, or surplus screws, inside the
computer.
17. Switch on mains power, start the computer, and go into the BIOS screen
(e.g. press the DEL key) during the initial startup. In the BIOS screen,
select the option to auto-detect the hard disks; once that process has
completed, save your changes and exit the BIOS program.
18. Restart the computer normally. It should now boot-up (booting from your
original disk), and recognise the presence of both disks.
19. Use your Operating System (e.g. Windows) to copy all the contents of the
original disk onto the new disk, which then functions as a backup copy of
the original disk.
NOTE: Remember to keep the backup up-to-date. You should repeat step 19 once
a week, so that you always have a very recent backup of all your files.
TIP: You can use a program called Norton Ghost (instead of your operating
system) to carry out step 19. The advantage is that Norton Ghost can do the
copying automatically. (A full copy of all data files on a large disk can
take several hours, so is best left to run over-night in the care of an
automatic program).
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tallguy" <tallguy403@...>
To: <just-a-minute@...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:32 PM
Subject: Re: [just-a-minute] restoring files
Having lost all my episodes following a hard drive crash and it being the
only folder I hadn't backed up
---------------
This is just a gentle reminder to all of you that your hard drive WILL
crash -- not IF -- and you really need to take a good look at what you have
collected, and ask yourself: is there anything that I would miss should I
lose it all? Can I bear to be without anything here? The same sort of thing
you ask when you look about your house -- would I miss anything should the
house burn down?
Please make back-up copies of anything important. Disks are so cheap now,
there is no excuse not to do this. You may want to re-organize your files,
or share with a friend -- or need to restore a crashed drive, or install to
a new one -- but it doesn't take much time to copy to disk, and is so very
simple.
This is a hard lesson for us to learn. Those that have had the heartbreak
want to spare you that pain. Make a back-up copy of all important files!
Please.
Tallguy
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a
mistake when you make it again."
F. P. Jones