apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I used to go through computers in some form or another every 18 months (like clockwork). Since switching to macs, I've ended this cycle quite. I have also gotten in the habit of backing up to external drives. In fact, the HD in my powerbook that was recently destroyed by a combined spill/drop incident is still working perfectly.

On another note, if you're considering selling off that mini, I might be interested in reviving it.

Not only did it die two months ago (they sold me a bad drive) but they still haven't got all the info off it. The important stuff was backed up, though. But... grr.

Another reason to consider Zonbu: No hard drive (it uses a compact flash instead) and all of your data is synched and backed-up automatically. Even if I *weren't* doing consulting work for the company, I would consider getting one. I'm never as diligent about backing up data and updating virus protection as I should. And I hate feeling hostage to planned obsolescence. (Is it my imagination, or did my current 'puter start acting up the minute my two-year warranty from Dell expired?)

I've never had a hard drive just completely up and die all at once. Usually a few sectors will go bad and if you are on top of things you can transfer nearly all your data off before something more terrible happens. That's been my experience at least.

Knock on wood...

I've been lucky enough, for the last few bad drives, to be able to copy information off first. A regular backup schedule is absolutely better, though.

Whoops, I answered the first one yes (I thought the question was have I backed up my data in last 3 months. D'oh), but I haven't lost a hard drive. Deduct one for that answer. I back up my mac automatically with their online service---part of a mac.com subscription - I think that's what it's called.

I thought I was pretty good with backing my files up - I would burn my important docs onto a CD-RW. As I was backing up my trusty 4-year-old iBook, it froze and I got the "sad Mac" on startup - and the backup was lost. In panic mode - I just started my second year of law school - I ran to the Apple store (there is no substitute to talking to someone face-to-face), they were nice and told me it would be cheaper to go elsewhere and referred me to an independent tech place (TekServe). I was quoted somewhere around $800 for data recovery and a new hard drive. I ended up getting a new MacBook.

Out of curiosity, I later tried a program called DiskWarrior on my iBook, and it completely recovered my drive and all my data. I was able to transfer all my files over, and my friend is now using my iBook. I don't regret getting the MacBook . . . there was something distinctly Frankenstein-ish about reviving the iBook. I now have an external HD to backup all my files, and use .mac to backup my school work online.

I'm happy with the brain-free easiness of .mac, but there are free online backup sites out there (for Macs too): https://mozy.com/registration/free

I highly reccomend a disc imaging program like Acronis. The last thing I do every night is make a complete image of my entire hard drive and store it on my external usb drive.

These images can be browsed and individual files restored if needed.

I have not had a disc failure since I started using this software but just last weekend upgraded to a bigger drive. It was the easiest hard drive swap I have ever done!

No OS reinstall, no reinstalling apps etc. Just restore your hard drive image to the new drive and fire it up. Everything is exactly as you left it in 30-40 minutes.

Where's the choice for SOME data was backed up?

Sign up for www.mozy.com to back up your data via the web. Sooo easy and total peace of mind for only $5/month. It will backup as often as you like automatically. Because the thing is, an external hard drive might not cut it if your place is robbed, there's a flood, fire, etc.