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Question

How to Protect HDD From Failure?

Oct 17, 2011 9:35AM PDT

My 11 month old HDD failed and I just ordered a western digital scarpio black 500gb 7200rpm. I need to know what software "paid or free" to use to help protect this hard drive better. What would work best. Or things to do to make it last longer. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The answer is ....there is no such software .."paid or
Oct 17, 2011 11:36AM PDT

otherwise" to protect the hard drive

As always...you have to treat/handle the components carefully, you have to keep them cool, and you have to backup your system and or your data regularly.

I also use SpinRite periodically to rewrite the HDD data to conform with the current wear pattern and that plus leaving my system running 24-7 has worked well for me.

The secret is doing the backups and being prepared for the inevitable. Get some good backup software to make it easy and reliable.

VAPCMD

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Thanks
Oct 17, 2011 1:26PM PDT

Thank you for the info.

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Another good thing to have ....
Oct 18, 2011 11:56AM PDT

the Mfg 'Recovery Discs'...for your PC. If worse comes to worse....you can always replace the defective drive, use the recovery discs or your image backup assuming you have one to get back up and running quickly.

Re 'leaving the laptop on' ...your call. I leave my desktop on 24/7 with the monitor powered off. I don't use my personal laptop that much but usually turn it off to keep the heat load down...laptops aren't the best at heat dissipation....and some run way hotter than others.

When in doubt...BACKUP !

VAPCMD

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Answer
Sadly none.
Oct 18, 2011 3:51AM PDT

"The secret is doing the backups and being prepared for the inevitable."

There's another secret and that is to have a backup machine. At the office we have backup laptops since we don't want to skip a beat in development cycles that are counted in days. Try 5 day cycles and you can't lose a day!
Bob