New System Organisation and Disk failure coming..

CriticalError · 01 Feb 2014

So I recently built me new I5 system:

Show Us Your Rig [6]

I have around 4 drives on this system, an SSD, 1TB Internal Drive, 300GB Internal drive (

), 500GB External Drive and a portable 250GB drive. The SSD is used for the OS only and essential programs like Chrome, and Visual Studio (I am web dev so need these), it's a 128GB SSD but now has only 70GB left!.

The 1TB Sata drive is used to store all user data and all applications and games. The 500GB External drive is used for backups however I have had this drive for a few years now so not sure when it will die, the portable 250GB is also for backups.

The 300GB is dying, I have been warned twice now by the Asus SMART test (in BIOS) and on Windows I keep getting a popup saying the drive is reporting errors. I have used CrytalDiskInfo and it gives a Good status so I am not sure if I should trust this software. Anyway the 300GB drive will be removed soon as it is no longer needed.

What do you guys think I should do in terms of backing stuff up? The last thing I want is my data gone, don't care about the OS providing my data is kept safe. I now make two backups one on the 250GB HDD, and one on the external 500GB HDD. However CrystalDiskInfo says it (The 500GB ext drive) has been operating for 32854 hours more than the 300GB drive which is failing

In the image below the highlighted drive (B/D) is the one dying all data has been removed from it, yes it was also a backup drive lol..

MilesAhead · 01 Feb 2014

Internal HD prices are back to normal and docking stations are cheap. If you can use eSata or USB 3.0 dock you can get very good throughput with WD Black bare drives. They are selling for around $86 + shipping for 1 TB 6Gb/s drives. I used them for my image backups and video storage.

I got a plastic stack of drawers from Walmart for about $8.. holds 6 drives. I just stuck the drive in an anti-static bag after pulling it out of the dock. If you go this route you may want to make a small database what is on which drive as sliding drives into the dock to hunt for files is the major frustration.

CriticalError · 01 Feb 2014

How much do they cost?

MilesAhead · 02 Feb 2014

For drives I would recommend EXcaliberPC.com - Notebooks, Netbooks, Storage, Memory, Hardware, Networking and more!
for docks newegg is probably as good as any.

Docks vary widely. Single, double, eSata, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 etc..

I would find out what interfaces you have available, then ask around. If you search this forum and Vista forums you should find discussion which hardware works at high speed and which are slow. It takes a bit of research unless performance is not critical.

Slartybart · 02 Feb 2014

Britton30 showed me this trick with CrystalDiskInfo. It might buy you some time on a failing drive, but I wouldn't use that drive any longer for critical data (even as a backup it's questionable).

But if you need a place to store some things that can be easily replaced (downloaded installers, system reports,...) the drive should function until it completely bites the bullet.

see: CrystalDiskInfo Health Status Setting

Bill
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