Hard Drive Failed

[Noben]

So my hard drive died, hardcore.  I may or may not have lost recent files that were yet to be backed up, but either way something is being Franekenstiened out of other computer parts in the house to help fix this problem.  For now I'm stuck with pencils and paper til further notice.   I won't be back online much til then.  Could be another couple of days.

[Wraa]

Try to put the drive in the refrigerator for an hour or so before trying to access it. It has been known to help.
It's an odd thing, yes, but hey, if it's stupid but it works......

W'raa

[Draque]

Aaaack, yeah. Sorry to hear that .  I second Wraa on the fridge/freezer thing, though.  I used to work as tech repair, and that's a trick that honestly works pretty well for recovering files.  As a suggestions.... check this out (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136811).  If you get two of those and make a RAID 1 setup (simple mirroring) through windows, you will never have to worry about this again.  I have a RAID 1 set up with two 1TB drives, and short of a fire or burglary, I'm pretty set in terms of data recovery.  At $24 apiece, it would e a pretty cheap solution for pretty high security.

[Wraa]

Draque is correct.
A RAID setup would help go a long way in preventing data loss.
Then again so does doing backups, but how many of us ever worry about it till its too late?
*raises hand*

One thing to keep in mind: Read the reviews! If a device has as many, or nearly as many bad reviews as good, you may want to steer clear of it.
Caz, what kind of computer do you have?
If you want, I'm betting the techies of the group would be happy to help do a little research in helping you find the best deal.

EDIT++ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
This would be larger, for a bit more, and a crap to of good reviews vs bad ones.
I'd be a bit leery of re-certified drives myself.
W'raa

[archetype]

if apple, then time machine
running counter to the popular opinion yet again.