HDD Replacement Neccesary? - Hardware & Software

Hey guys, not sure how often you guys get this message on your computer but I just got it today. [IMG]http://screenshu.com/static/uploads/temporary/1d/d2/o9/zz2fu6.jpg[/IMG] After stupidly trying to do several basic software fixes out of desperation I am now fully convinced that this Hard Drive is gonna be toast soon, and I'd better get all the data off before it's too late. I've already contacted the company I bought it from in regards for a replacement since it's still under warranty. However, before I jump the gun I'd like to know just how fucked I am and the proper steps I should take to fix it. Cheers.

You should do as it says, backup all your shit. Then either fix it yourself, or send it in.

[QUOTE=Phrozen99;43637752]You should do as it says, backup all your shit. Then either fix it yourself, or send it in.[/QUOTE] Yup, that is my intention. Alright thanks friend.

Okay followup question time, the company I bought the PC from has agreed to replace the HDD for free. All I need to do is mail it in and they'll send me a new one. The question I have is what should I do about backing up all of my data. They aren't gonna transfer the data to the new drive so I need to do it myself, in total it's about 1.25 TB I need to back up. What's the best, and preferably most cost efficient way to back it all up so I can easily get it back later.

[QUOTE=Tsyolin;43645922]Okay followup question time, the company I bought the PC from has agreed to replace the HDD for free. All I need to do is mail it in and they'll send me a new one. The question I have is what should I do about backing up all of my data. They aren't gonna transfer the data to the new drive so I need to do it myself, in total it's about 1.25 TB I need to back up. What's the best, and preferably most cost efficient way to back it all up so I can easily get it back later.[/QUOTE] If its that much data? Buy another 2TB hard drive, and use it as backup for the future. Not really much else you can realistically do. Flash drives are too expensive. You would need a few hundred DVD-R discs. And a cloud backup would take too long and be expensive as well at 1 TB.

If a large chunk of that is music, you could theoretically upload it all to Google Music, but I'm not sure your hard drive has enough life in it to withstand that.

[QUOTE=lavacano;43647457]If a large chunk of that is music, you could theoretically upload it all to Google Music, but I'm not sure your hard drive has enough life in it to withstand that.[/QUOTE] Most of it is actually music software, so it is technically audio files. The rest is all Steam games. I mean, I can re-download them from the sites I purchased them but it's a huge pain in the ass. It will take days, probably a week of constant downloading, to require all the files. But it would probably be worth it all things considered, rather than paying $100 just for a backup drive. Unless of course you guys think it would be a worthy investment.

[QUOTE=Tsyolin;43649193]Most of it is actually music software, so it is technically audio files. The rest is all Steam games. I mean, I can re-download them from the sites I purchased them but it's a huge pain in the ass. It will take days, probably a week of constant downloading, to require all the files. But it would probably be worth it all things considered, rather than paying $100 just for a backup drive. Unless of course you guys think it would be a worthy investment.[/QUOTE] Technically speaking, you're supposed to have a backup of the drive in the first place, so you don't run into this situation. Though, don't feel bad, because I'm sure most of us are guilty of it (I know I am). I suppose weigh the cost. I mean, if you can afford it, do it. Its unlikely it will happen again, but they may replace it with a similar drive that is prone to failing. You never know with hard drives. Otherwise, if you think a couple weeks of inconvenience is worth saving the $100, then its up to you.

[QUOTE=Tsyolin;43649193]Most of it is actually music software, so it is technically audio files. The rest is all Steam games. I mean, I can re-download them from the sites I purchased them but it's a huge pain in the ass. It will take days, probably a week of constant downloading, to require all the files. But it would probably be worth it all things considered, rather than paying $100 just for a backup drive. Unless of course you guys think it would be a worthy investment.[/QUOTE] The best course of action would be to trim the drive down to only the things you cannot replace and back-up ONLY the files that you absolutely positively have to keep. An external 1TB drive should be sufficient then and they're relatively cheap. My HDD went through this same spiel not too long ago and it lasted more than long enough to endure several cloning attempts and such until I used a spare drive to take its place while my new drives were being shipped.