As you all may well know, I greatly dislike computers. I view them first and foremost as minions of Satan, existing mainly to make my life miserable.
Case in point, my external hard drive just crapped out, trapping all my files in a nether land I can’t quite get to. Of course, I set up the external drive so I would not have to go through a lot of hassle if my operating system went haywire (which, of course, it is in the process of doing) because I would have all my day to day files on the external.
So the external drive ends up going spastic and apparently shutting down on me.
I do so hate computers.
Any of you WoFers out there want to speak things that aren’t as though they are? You know, something like “I speak a fully operating hard drive back into existence, one that has twice the memory of the one that crapped out.” Or something like that.
She implied the...
Copies, the word of the day for you Melvin is “copies”. Keep a copy on the External AND Internal hard drive. Then if one dies you just replace the defective part and copy files from the working one.
You’re keeping one copy on one unit as if it will never fail. As you know, things of this world will always fail
.
And where were you when I needed you to explain this to me?
By the way - I just found out the hard drive is likely dead. If I want my data back, I may have to spend upwards of $1500 dollars. Needless to say, I just don’t think that’s going to happen.
I feel your pain. I’m a freelance graphic designer. I was faced ww/that same predicament last summer when I dropped my auxillary hardrive that had a boatload of original works. The files were inaccesible from the damage, and was told I was looking at $750 MINIMUM for data extraction. Needless to say, I overcame my sadness in a hurry, and went ahead and settled for the copies I was ablew to access via a web designing program I uploaded files to for a client.
I’ve since replaced the whole system for what I have now; a laptop w/TWO separate drives. This is a nice way out should either one fail, I can acess the other, so as not to lose step the next time out.
Well - I used to be a computer hardware tech, maybe I can help. If you don’t mind me being a geek - I’ll ask some questions:
1. Don’t get angry but I’m still in customer support so I’ll be redundant and ask the question - - Are you sure that the drive is on? If it’s not on, plug it into another outlet to make sure that it’s not the plug that’s the issue. Also, make sure that the cables are fully pushed in. (MN: Yes, the drive is on - there’s a green light on the front panel (I hate computers) )
2. When you tell your computer to access the drive through Windows Explorer, do you see the drive in the Explorer tree? (MN: No. (I hate computers).)
Go to Windows Explorer (hopefully you’re not using Vista - ugh): Start > Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer
….sorry
don’t know how much hate you have toward computers.
3. If you double-click the icon for the external drive from Windows Explorer, what happens? (MN: The Drive icon isn’t there (I hate computers) )
a. Does it open? (MN: No. (I hate computers) )
b. Can you see any folders or files? (MN: No. (I Hate computers) )
4. Do you have more space on your computer’s hard drive than your files? (MN: I can’t see the drive. (I hate computers) )
What is the type of external drive and the Model number? Mel, you didn’t even read question 4 ROFL - I know I know “you hate computers”. I doubt there will be any in the New Jerusalem, praise G-D!
(MN: An older model. Bought it about two years ago. From Westen Digital (WD). It has a circular power indicator on the front. )
Uh . . . oh! Windows. The name gives indication as to your predicament, Herr Jones.
Good luck,
Peter.
I’m sure you can get Benny Hinn to blow the Holy Spirit on your desktop.
my drive went bad a few months ago and all my important files was on that drive. i took the drive out and sent it to these guys (http://www.eprovided.com/) and they copied all my files off the damaged drive. the service was good.
(MN: How much? I’m getting quotes that vary from $400 to $1800. I guarantee you there is nothing I have written that is that important. )
Yeah, send yours off, Melvin. You are too much:
If you pick up the unit, you will see its model. LOL
Good luck………………..and get a MAC!
(MN: Hey! Between Windows XP and that stupid hard drive, I want you to know that the thought of a Mac has been growing on me. The only problem is the software I have (Logos Bible Software, Photoshop, etc) are all Windows. And I can’t afford to go out and replace most of the stuff with Mac versions.
Wait a minute…I feel an impartation coming on…yes…yes…Here it is:
If any of you want to be blessed by God a thousand fold, send $200 to:
Buy Melvin a Mac - Since You’re Too Cheap to Buy Him an Airplane Ministry
23498 Anathema Lane
Bowie, MD 20876
Cash, certified check, or money order since it’s only in God we trust. )
Well, that may be resolved by using Parallels. However, before you do anything, I would consult with Apple and get a human, and get their name, to explain if and how you would migrate your Windows files to the Mac. Have them email the instructions if possible because of your allergic reaction to computers. Also, although Macs do not get attacks as Windows systems do, I’d still advise protection. My system is protected because I just don’t want to risk losing my music.
WARNING!!!!: All of us geeks who have walked into Apple-land are trying to figure out what took us so long to leave PCs!
It’s bad when the Admin starts speaking geek. She even has the Airport! Now we techs are drooling for that. She can sync her iPhone and MacBook. The last thing I told her about was Pandora so she could pipe music using the genome. Yep, now she’s fully geek. LOL
Find an Apple store - leave your wallet home and research. Have fun!
This sounds like your system doesn’t recognize the external drive anymore. Could be a cable problem or a hdd issue with the external drive. What kind of external drive is it. There may be a way to reset the drive, for example if it is a mybook world drive, you can reset it back to factory settings, and sometimes this will let you get at the data.
(MN: It is a MyBook. One of the older ones with the green circle light on the front. It uses the large five-sided plug, like the ones usually used on printers. (IHC) )
Windows XP is picky like that. I have an external drive that will disappear from Windows Explorer if I don’t access it for a few days. I usually turn the drive off then back on again and XP picks it up - usually with another drive letter!! F: drive now is G:
I’m still very disappointed in you. Where is your faith? First the shingles and now the computer. Remind that computer that you have dominion over it and COMMAND it to return to it’s original, intended working order. Do you ever learn?
I’ve grown up with computers my whole life. As a young tot I played on an 8088 and eventually worked up to a 486. If anyone knows these machines, you are as old as I am, no offense. lol. Since Windows XP, I’ve incurred more heartache and aggravation than I can bear. I hear Mac calling my name. lol.
I had to repair some 8088s - who you callin’ old? ROFL
Hey, there’s only one way to get old, Amen?
Awww…poor thing! If you’re still on a 486, my friend, you must come into the light! Step IN to the light. A 486 is a boat anchor - let me help you. What are you doing, playing Solitaire on it?
BYC, you need help, sibling.
There is life after the 486. hehehe
Not stuck on 486, that was many moons ago when I was in junior high. Since, I’m only 2 years behind the current technology. The one pet peeve I have about windows Vista or XP is when a program freezes and says, “not responding” when you have an adequate CPU and memory. The PC and MAC commercials are soooo true. Hello Mac, goodbye Pc.
(MN: Remember the phrase “Spawn from Hell here to make my life miserable” and you will know all you need to know about an XP machine. )
You will receive double for your trouble, “Tripple” for your ripple,now turn around and snatch back all that the cankerworm has stole. LOL……. I don’t know much about computers but I wish you well.
If you were a tither, this wouldn’t have happened Mel. See what happens when the “devourer” isn’t rebuked off your life?
Hey - make me an elder in your P.I.M.P. ministry so that I can get a cut of your “Mac Project” dough…I’d be happy to switch over if it didn’t cost me anything.
BTW - I have a “My Book” external HD from Western Digital also (bought it back in 07 - no problems…knock on wood…). You’re really making me nervous now…
Righter says:
Out with the old, in with the new
If in doubt, throw it out
There’s something in the milk sour somewhere! (couldn’t resist this one-it was one of my late great granmother’s favorite lines! lol)
Hey there,
If push comes to shove and the information is of the utmost importance. Instead of spending a bunch of money sending it out to be repaired, you can try to get the date yourself.
You will need to purchase an SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 adaptor.
Then you will need to open the external HD box and take the actual hard drive out.
You will have to figure out what type of hard drive you have (remove the jumpers…little black thingies, if necessary).
Connect it to the SATA/IDE/USB adaptor.
Turn on the power.
Wait for the hard drive to show up on your pc.
Extract files needed.
You may purchase another external hd to transfer ALL of your files, if you so desire. OR you can burn the data to a DVD/CD.
After your data has been sufficiently recovered, then you can erase the trouble HD and put back into the enclosure. In theory, it should be usable again (you may have to format it again.)
I hope this helps somebody.
(MN: This seems like an approach that may work. I don’t have to split open my computer, I don’t have to go to DOS, just plug it in, snoop around, and dump it down. I may even be able to buy a new external drive and (thank you very much IC) set up a real back up process and see if we can avoid this severe inconvenience again.
By the way, the shingles are now in the drying up stage. I’m basically through the worst of it. Thank you one and all for your prayers. )
since you’re thinking about taking the external HD out of the enclosure, this may help as well…
http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/01/freeze-your-hard-drive-to-recover-data.html
I would buy a used Mac on Craigslist if you live within 2 hours of a large metropolitan area. You can find a G4 laptop for under $500 (I paid $250 for one running Tiger) or an emac for $200 or less.