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Solve : best way to backup my laptop hard drive?? |
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Answer» Due to recent health issues I've sold all my computers except my HP 6715b laptop with 320 GB HD and I also have a 320 GB SATA desktop HD mounted in a USB external enclosure. I also have a 250 GB laptop hard drive that will work in this laptop (if needed). So if this machine quits, what's my best bet for keeping my files for use on whatever machine I can get/afford if this one fails? If I were you, I would do a complete image backup with your favourite image program (I like Macrium Reflect for this) so that if the HDD in the laptop fails, you can restore from that and get back to exactly where you were. If the laptop gives up, you can still access the image backup as a partition from any PC with Reflect installed, and copy any files across from that - so it serves a dual purpose, as an image backup and an accessible backup of every file on the drive. I would then back up my files individually, I use a service called Crashplan to back up online but their software is free and can be used to back up files to another PC or another drive as well as to their cloud service. There are many other programs around that can back up your files automatically, I've used and liked Cobian backup and a Microsoft tool called SyncToy as well. I try to keep at least 3 copies of my files nowadays - one on my machine, one online via Crashplan, and one on an external drive which I have Crashplan's software handle for me too. I'm probably going to write up a small review of CRashplan in the next few days actually, I've been using it for around 6-8 months now and it's a great service, a little pricy normally but I got it on an amazing deal at the time so it's worth looking out for it. Other online backup services are available, some are free with reduced storage space or features - Microsoft Skydrive, Dropbox, Google Drive to name a few. I do feel it's worthwhile backing up online if it's feasible as it's pretty much the ultimate off-site backup. On another note, I'm sorry to hear of your health issues, wishing you all the best. As for the laptop itself, my gf has the similar but Intel based 6710b, and we have a FAIR few 6715b's at work. I haven't seen many issues with overheating so I would suggest doing the usual routine of cleaning out dust from the heatsink and fan, if you can gain access to the heatsink itself then remove it and reseat it with fresh thermal paste as the factory stuff is probably past its best by now. That should help temperatures. My gf's 6710b copes fine with distributed computing for long periods of time.Thanks guys! I suspect your right Geek about heat buildup being a problem for laptops. This laptop and also the two I just sold both have CPU cooling air intakes mounted on the bottom of the machine with the exhaust mounted on the side. My thought is - why would they not channel the cooling air intake and exhaust ducting both on the sides in order to provide adequate air flow when the machine is in your lap - in your lap means the clothing you have can severely limits the air flow to the air intake. I know it's actually named 'notebook pc' but many usages for some people are in their lap. I'm no computer designer but before last YEAR I worked in the industrial production machinery trade for many years and designed many systems, and I learned quickly that inefficient cooling for electrical controls, motors, hydraulics, gearboxes ect. would mean costly premature failures. But even today notebook pc's are still being produced with CPU cooling air intakes on the bottom of the machine. I must be missing something. Thank you Calum! Macrium Reflect worked fine and I now have my files backed up on my USB external hard drive and on Dropbox too. Can't beat the price!!! Last year, when I was running FAH (SMP2) @ 100% on both cores with CPU overheating issues, I removed the heat sink and cleaned/ re-applied thermal paste. I still had CPU temp issues. I READ an artical somewhere back then about the 6715b having cooling design issues from the factory. So what I did was... 2 years ago I had to replace the keyboard in this machine and I still had the previous keyboard in my junk box, so I dug out that old keyboard and removed all the keys which created a metal plate with a bunch of holes. Then I bought some filter material and cut it to fit over the keyboard metal plate chassis panel. That solved my overheating issue and I ran this machine until recently fodling @ 100% with no overheating issues. I've run a logitech wireless keyboard and mouse on this machine since then - still do. Hopefully it will last , but just in case I appreciate your guidance on backup options!! Thaks again to both of you! Mike Quote but many usages for some people are in their lapNice on a cold day. But yes, cooling designs on laptops are mediocre. They get away with it because the laptop is so thin that there is less space to trap heat.Quote from: lectrocrew on June 24, 2013, 11:59:32 PM 2 years ago I had to replace the keyboard in this machine and I still had the previous keyboard in my junk box, so I dug out that old keyboard and removed all the keys which created a metal plate with a bunch of holes. Then I bought some filter material and cut it to fit over the keyboard metal plate chassis panel. That solved my overheating issue and I ran this machine until recently fodling @ 100% with no overheating issues. Sounds like a decent modification actually. As for the intake/exhaust vent design, I agree it's not ideal for when it's on your lap or a soft surface like a bed, I only ever use laptops on a hard surface so that airflow underneath is adequate and exhaust is not restricted. |
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