Thank God for Backups
I have not been blogging much since I’ve spent the last few days recovering from a hard drive failure on one of the other computers in the house. It’s not a good thing when you can hear the heads hit the platters. Even though I was still able to read the data on the disk, I ultimately ended up having to reinstall Windows on a “new” hard drive. Thankfully it was an older computer, so I had some spare parts in a drawer. All computer software is finicky; but I really hate the way that Microsoft designs things to protect me from myself. Message to Bill Steve – I know what I’m doing, so please let me do it.
I didn’t lose anything permanently; but it took a while to get things back the way that I wanted them. Windows Update is a nice feature unless you have to install every single update since the last Service Pack. I’ve done it before (and I’m sure that I’ll do it again sometime) but it sure is frustrating. I have a good backup plan; so I usually don’t lose anything when I have to rebuild. I just wish that it didn’t take so long.
P.S. Now that I am finished complaining, there is a Friday Potpourri post below this one.
You’re lucky to have the skill. I dread this happening to me. I did have to reboot my laptop this year – 97 updates from MS. If it happened to my desktop I’d probably have to trash it and buy another.
I had the same thing happen a month ago to me. It wasn’t mechanical though it was VISTA!!!
We didn’t realize you were such an accomplished geek! If you lived closer to us, we’d have you help us with our next Windows reinstall.
Alfie: It’s sometimes a pain; but, I like being my own technical support. Some technicians are very good; but others are looking for any excuse to sell you something new that you don’t need; or are too quick to recommend reformatting and stating all over. Sometimes, reimaging is necessary; but not nearly as often as it’s done.
Jerry: I’ve had had Vista for a year and haven’t had any problems with either of the two computers that it is installed on. I hope that you didn’t lose anything.
Greg & Sheryl: It just takes patience. A lot of patience. And of course it helps to have another computer connected to the internet so you can research anything you encounter that is unexpected.