Bayla
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Posts: 555
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Post by Bayla on Aug 20, 2015 23:14:40 GMT
Have been having major computer issues in past few weeks. Initially thought the internal HD had gone west and was most distressed cos I wasn't fully backed up but my computer guy managed to get everything up and running & I breathed a sigh of relief and immediately backed up everything properly.
Then this morning my pc wouldn't recognise my HD. After checking it wasn't just a loose connection, he has taken it away to get a new HD. (My dh is fuming cos it's only about 18months old & he can't understand why the computers in his office have been going for years with no problems & my desktop has gone after such a short time)
My ds #4 suggested getting an SSD (which I am told have no moving parts & are less prone to breaking down plus are very speedy when booting up the computer) but they seem very expensive. I was wondering if it was possible to put one in just for booting the OS and some often programs & then having a regular HD just for data. Is this even feasible or a good idea? (I am clueless on how the innards of pc work)
Has anyone with an SSD able to share their experience & tell me (in words of one syllable!) what might be the best option?
Thanks,
Bayla
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Post by Major Major on Aug 20, 2015 23:49:07 GMT
Bayla - You could absolutely do that. Seems like a number of folks are, these days. A quick search found this 480 GB SSD for $190 at NewEgg, which would be plenty for a C: drive just holding the operating system and your programs: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820228117 |
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Madame
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Post by Madame on Aug 21, 2015 5:20:06 GMT
You can visit the website of the manufacturer of a ssd and run a compatibility test/ or contact them for more details.
I know there are some laptops you can't alter that way.
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Post by Andy on Aug 21, 2015 10:11:40 GMT
My ds #4 suggested getting an SSD (which I am told have no moving parts & are less prone to breaking down plus are very speedy when booting up the computer) but they seem very expensive. I was wondering if it was possible to put one in just for booting the OS and some often programs & then having a regular HD just for data. Is this even feasible or a good idea? (I am clueless on how the innards of pc work) You can absolutely do that, Bayla. That is what I have. I have just a 120Gb SSD for Windows and my applications. I use about 100Gb of that, and I haven't cleaned up my machine in awhile. Then I have a larger disk for my data. There are great reasons to do this: - The performance with an SSD is so much faster. Your computer will boot faster and the applications will start faster. - If you have to reload your operating system or upgrade to a new one, you don't worry about your data because it is on a separate drive - When you buy a new computer, you can just move your data by installing your HD in the new computer Note that this is not a backup solution - you still need to make sure your data drive is backed up. SSDs install the same as HD's - same connectors, just a lot smaller. I know I had to buy a small bracket (about $5.00 on Newegg) to put the SSD in so that it would fit where the HD fit. It might sound hard, but it is really quite simple. |
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Post by Peterj on Aug 21, 2015 15:19:42 GMT
"Has anyone with an SSD able to share their experience & tell me (in words of one syllable!) what might be the best option?"
I have an HP desktop with 2 internal hard drives. The "c" drive is SSD which boots Windows 7; the "d" drive is a HDD onto which I store data and also use it to boot Linux. You should be able to use 2 hard drives in most desktops without problems.
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estherf
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YEAH! I got another 'star' and have been upgraded from new to casual!
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Post by estherf on Aug 21, 2015 16:27:28 GMT
Thanks for all this knowledge. I just had a 5-year-old desktop where the hard drive failed. My son is rebuilding the computer for me. I have been peppering him daily with info about this and that.... Fortunately, about a year ago I gave up buying external drives and subscribed to Carbonite. They will back up specific files and an external drive for $99/year. They have offered to help me do the restore when I get the computer back home from L.A. next month. I will update you on how that turns out. Also, ds#2 has offered to just go for it and install Win 10. I saw an article on how to do that when the hardware has failed. One of the articles I sent to him.  Es |
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Post by stevenm on Aug 21, 2015 17:18:01 GMT
I've installed 3 ssds in the past two years. this pc has a 500gb Samsung ssd for os and programs. before the ssd it used to boot in about 1:45, now it's about 15 seconds. simple to install, just make sure you set the drive to, "ahci," instead of "ide" before you install the OS.
As for backups, I have an external networks drive. It monitors my system and any file that gets edited or changes it backs up immediately. Haven't lost a file in 5 years and that includes PS settings, brushes, actions.
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Squirrel2014
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Where's that cup of tea ... ???
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Aug 21, 2015 21:26:48 GMT
Yes, I have an SSD C\:drive, 500Gb. I had a 126G before but it wasn't enough for all the software I use so eventually had to change it. My D\: drive is 2Tb and was originally in a previous PC. I don't notice the speed difference now 'cos I've had SSD for over 3 yrs but I'm sure I would notice the difference if I were to go back to a regular HDD  I definitely recommend going for an SSD for your C\: and install Windows and other software. You'll notice a big difference and, as the others above have said. Also, if your PC crashes, you've got a good chance of still having your files etc if they are on a alterative drive. |
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Post by ritage on Aug 22, 2015 16:52:18 GMT
I've installed 3 ssds in the past two years. this pc has a 500gb Samsung ssd for os and programs. before the ssd it used to boot in about 1:45, now it's about 15 seconds. simple to install, just make sure you set the drive to, "ahci," instead of "ide" before you install the OS. As for backups, I have an external networks drive. It monitors my system and any file that gets edited or changes it backs up immediately. Haven't lost a file in 5 years and that includes PS settings, brushes, actions. Steven, Regarding your external network drive, which brand drive and especially what software do you use?
One of my three externals just gave up the ghost, an almost 10 year old Maxtor, and I have a feeling they just don't make them like that anymore. I am using WD SmartWare (Western Digital) and Norton Backup. I don't really like the WD SmartWare very much and would like to try different software. I'm in the process of collecting people's opinions.
Rita
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Post by Andy on Aug 22, 2015 17:42:50 GMT
I use a tool called Free File Sync: www.freefilesync.org/The Windows built-in backup tool always works pretty well. |
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Post by ritage on Aug 22, 2015 18:43:04 GMT
I use a tool called Free File Sync: www.freefilesync.org/The Windows built-in backup tool always works pretty well. Thanks for the quick answer. I looked at the site and it seems to require a lot more knowledge of computers than I have. I realize I did not understand what is meant by network drive. I just need straight backup of my desktop, have nothing to "sync" it to or with it. The Win 7 backup has never worked for me. The first time I tried to use it, it ran for about 6 hours, then said there was an error and nothing was recorded. The files were all there and all empty. The second time I stopped it after 3 hours and then gave up.
The Norton Backup works well for my own files and was very easy to set up. But it does not back up the system files. I would like software that does both. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Rita
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Post by michelb on Aug 22, 2015 19:48:57 GMT
About my external backup drives: I have several ones (WD and Iomega).
My general backup software is ACRONIS, which offers drive cloning. That has been useful several times in the past. Among other things, it can clone your drive if you want to change for a bgger drive. Needless to say, I took care to make a full backup of my system drive before upgrading from Windows 8.1 to 10. There is an automatic (weekly for me) backup for that system drive.
Since my main computer activity is Elements, I have always regularly made full Organizer backups.
Since a couple of years, I use Windows SyncToy for my library and catalogs. I run it after each important batch job. Its much quicker to update only the changed or new files. It can also be used to update another computer I have in another location.
A word of caution about a common practice with SSDs and organizer catalogs. Many users keep their catalogs and library on the system drive (not the best choice, as already stated). They install the new OS on the SSD and keep the original drive, which now gets a new drive letter. As a result, the files are disconnected and its difficult to solve the problem. The best solution, before installing the SSD is to move your library and catalogs to another (internal or external) drive or partition via the backup/restore process (move to 'custom' location). You'll have nothing special to do when you start the Organizer from the SSD, only find the moved catalog.
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Post by ritage on Aug 22, 2015 21:14:25 GMT
Michel,
I will check out ACRONIS. It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.
Thank you.
Rita
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Bayla
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
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Post by Bayla on Aug 22, 2015 21:37:19 GMT
Thanks everyone for your advice. I am going with an SSD + HD combination, but I am not doing it myself, despite Andy's assertion that it is 'really quite simple' - I haven't forgotten my attempts to install extra RAM in a computer a few years ago....hot day+ large hands working in small area + sweaty fingers which slipped & broke the essential bit for retaining the RAM. Swore never again to mess with the innards of the CPU!
The only thing I'm worried about is whether I'm going to have problems reconnecting files.....
Bayla
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Squirrel2014
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Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Aug 22, 2015 21:59:29 GMT
How do you normally access your files?
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