Here's a stupid question....

thornc

Member
I would like to know that if you install Windows xp professionnal on top of windows xp home edition if this would work???
Yes if you do an upgrade with Windows XP professional!

your BEST move is a clean start... ...trust me, you have a high percentage to regret using the same partition..
But like George's points out, don't do it!

I agree with George's suggestions, just backup your data. Clean your hard-disk and re-install from scratch! In my Oppinion you should create two partitions one for your data and the other for windows and programs you use!
Some people will tell you that these days extra partitions are not necessary, they are wrong in my oppinion; I have seen to many people loose they data because they have everything in one single partition and by some stupid reason windows reinitialized and cleaned up everything!

...a backup is a good precaution...
Finnally, if you treasure your data backup it frequently! cd/dvd's are cheap these days and they can save your data! You can even use an extra hard-disk(external one for example) to keep you backed-up data!
 
George ...you were right about the funny lost of gig with the compact....
They sell you a 60 gigger only to used a few even before you put anything in it...What a bunch of clowns..

:clown: :dang: I'm e-mailing about it to them...He!He! there not out of the woods now... :lol:
 

Brad

Member
Hardware Q:

thornc said:
>>> Finnally, if you treasure your data backup it frequently! cd/dvd's are cheap these days and they can save your data! You can even use an extra hard-disk(external one for example) to keep you backed-up data!
I learned the hard way this is very true. Have used CD's for backups since then ... this leads me to my Q:

does anyone have hands-on experience with Archos ARCDisk?
The ad says it's an external HDD about the size of the old floppy, USB 2.0 connect so it doesn't need external power and comes in sizes from 20GB and up I think. At first glance it looks like a neat and convenient package that could speed up the backup process, etc. and the prices have been coming down of late.

Main reason to get something like this, for me, would be to perform scheduled backups without having to be present to baby-sit and change CDs.
 

gsobier

Member
Re: Hardware Q:

Brad:

Sure looks like a better solution than the Burner:agree:... ...sorry, I have no experience with this hardware to share with you:bawl:... ...if your data is in a different partition from Windows, it is less complex for backups... ...depending on the backup program you use, any new directory tree added could be missed... ...be aware and careful of this loop-hole.

Regards,
George:)
Brad said:
I learned the hard way this is very true. Have used CD's for backups since then ... this leads me to my Q:

does anyone have hands-on experience with Archos ARCDisk?
The ad says it's an external HDD about the size of the old floppy, USB 2.0 connect so it doesn't need external power and comes in sizes from 20GB and up I think. At first glance it looks like a neat and convenient package that could speed up the backup process, etc. and the prices have been coming down of late.

Main reason to get something like this, for me, would be to perform scheduled backups without having to be present to baby-sit and change CDs.
 

thornc

Member
Re: Hardware Q:

Brad said:
At first glance it looks like a neat and convenient package that could speed up the backup process, etc. and the prices have been coming down of late.

It looks nice, but for the fraction of the price of that one you can get a really nice (normal sized) 120GB external package!

For example using newegg I found this:
SimpleTech 120GB Portable USB 2.0
price US$130


According to the SimpleTech website this includes a normal desktop hard disk and they offer a free backup software with it!

The Archos one costs US$159 for 20GB,has a low performance hard disk and it's main advantage is size!

So it all depends on your requirements!
But I can tell you that these days these external devices are usually very reliable!
I am currently thinking of getting an external usb2 disk enclosure, move my current laptop hard disk into it and buy a faster bigger hard disk for the lappy!
 

charles2

Member
i use cdrw's for daily backups and cdr's for monthly backups. Luckily my data fits onto 1 disk. I keep monthly backups in 3 locations, 1 at the computer, 1 in a safe in case the computer is stolen or house burns down, and 1 in my car incase the safe is stolen).:lol:

If it was more data i would then use dvd-rw's & dvdr's and the prices for these drives have dropped to about the same price as cdrw drives.

I have all my programs on cd's.

I would then install win xp from scratch including a fresh format, do all the sp's etc, then install programs from cd's then reinstall data from cdrw.


of course with hard drives getting so cheap you could install a 2nd big hard drive and install all the programs [even the original programs which you could later reinstall onto 1st drive] and data on it and install win xp on your 1st drive.

The only thing i don't like about this option is:
1. if someone steals your computer you lose all.
2. if the house burns down u lose all.
3. if a virus infects u could lose all.
 

Brad

Member
Thanks thornc

Looks like there are many good ways to go as usual, I like your last idea of upgrading the HDD as I'm dealing with a lappy here. Minor point, the ACRDisk can be had for ~ $100US if you shop around, maybe even lower by now although I agree that a Simple Tech of equivalent capacity is probably cheaper than that. So as always the choice may come down to price and preference, I tend to favour compact things.


Cheers
 

thornc

Member
charles2 said:
of course with hard drives getting so cheap you could install a 2nd big hard drive and install all the programs [even the original programs which you could later reinstall onto 1st drive] and data on it and install win xp on your 1st drive.

The only thing i don't like about this option is:
1. if someone steals your computer you lose all.
2. if the house burns down u lose all.
3. if a virus infects u could lose all.

It depends on how you do it! If you do backups of the stuff into compressed files even with a virus you woudn't loose your data. For the fire and steal
the only solutions is to move your data around with an external disk like the one Brad, or upload it to somewhere!
I think in the future we will see internet based backup systems (like we see for email and such) become quite simple, affordable and widely available!
 

thornc

Member
Re: Thanks thornc

Brad said:
(...)
I like your last idea of upgrading the HDD as I'm dealing with a lappy here.
(...)
So as always the choice may come down to price and preference, I tend to favour compact things.

Yes I usually do so myself, but in this case it's a middle term between price,performance and size.
So an external 2.5" enclosure with a 40GB laptop harddisk might be an option!
That would cost around the same US$100!
 

charles2

Member
thornc said:
It depends on how you do it! If you do backups of the stuff into compressed files even with a virus you woudn't loose your data. For the fire and steal
the only solutions is to move your data around with an external disk like the one Brad, or upload it to somewhere!
I think in the future we will see internet based backup systems (like we see for email and such) become quite simple, affordable and widely available!

i've been waiting for this option, but i can't really trust a site somewhere else with my personal info untill it gets really proven, etc. I pay for the extra email storage option at hotmail which i think is 2.5 gb and i was thinking of storing it there under an encrypted file in an email???? or????????????

with dual layer dvd's you get what 8 gb? seems like a better & cheaper option to move around a dvd disk than a drive for simple data stuff.
 

thornc

Member
charles2 said:
I pay for the extra email storage option at hotmail which i think is 2.5 gb and i was thinking of storing it there under an encrypted file in an email???? or????????????

with dual layer dvd's you get what 8 gb? seems like a better & cheaper option to move around a dvd disk than a drive for simple data stuff.

Well my email service (at 12Eur per year) gives me 2GB, FTP and WEB access for files, so if I want I can store there a compressed (encrypted 7z?) file and be safer!

Off course when Dual layer DVDs (drives and media) become widely available and cheap they will be the option!
At the moment I use around 2GB of space with my own data (no I don't have MP3 and divX) so for the time being a DVD is what I use, but like I said in other post, soon I will get an external solution and then I will use that for daily backups and the DVDs for weekly full backups!
 

fenris

Member
How about using a regular hard disk and something like this . I use the enclosure with a 60 gb drive that I had laying around. Apperently it can support up to a 300 Gb hard disk.
 

thornc

Member
fenris said:
How about using a regular hard disk and something like this . I use the enclosure with a 60 gb drive that I had laying around. Apperently it can support up to a 300 Gb hard disk.

That's what the Simpletech is!
But sometimes you might want something really portable like Brad or an intermidiate solution like me...
So you range the the available EIDE disk sizes: 1.8" (Archos), 2.5" (Trancent, my solution), 3.5" (SimpleTech, Bytecc)!
The problem with a huge 3.5" hard disk is that you will have to power it from the outlet (not very transportable) while the 1.8" and 3.5" smaller disks can be powered by the USB port (ideal for a laptop!)

EDIT: The model you posted is 5,25", I think the Simpletech is 3.5", so sorry for the incorrection!
 

fenris

Member
EDIT: The model you posted is 5,25", I think the Simpletech is 3.5", so sorry for the incorrection! [/B]

Ahh, but I use the 3.5" model that they make, I posted an incorrect link sorry! The 3.5" model still requires external power.

I was also under the assumption it was for backing up a local desktop computer which is what I use it for. I usually unplug my external drive from the wall and the usb port when I am not making any backups - so it should be safe from power fluctuations.

The usb powered solutions are excellent if you need portable solutions. But a thing to keep in mind is that hard disks used in this manor, even if they are g rated laptop drives are still relatively delicate, so you wouldn't want your 2 year-old playing with it :D

All in all there are a number of great solutions to suit every budget.
 

charles2

Member
thornc said:
Well my email service (at 12Eur per year) gives me 2GB, FTP and WEB access for files, so if I want I can store there a compressed (encrypted 7z?) file and be safer!


what service do you pay for i may use it too
 

nipsirc

Member
In my case, I use a portable and external USB 2.0 hard disk storage drive (also called a USB Pocket Drive) that can be hooked up via your USB. Works very well and can backup most of my personal and immediate office stuff remotely and unattended. I also don't have to be on the internet or online to access my files and can bring it from office to home and vice-versa. This is like the laptop in terms of storage.

The newer ones can go up to 150 Gigs hard drive but much more expensive.

This one costs me only $200 dollars back in 2002. It's probably half the price now. Remember I bought this when they first came out so it was quite a hot product then.....

It has the following properties;

Brand New 40 GB Toshiba Drive installed.
Connect to your laptop/desktop via USB port.
USB 2.0, speed up to 480 Mbits/sec
40 times faster than regular USB1.1.
Backward compatible with USB 1.1
Hot insert & hot-pull out.
Plug-and-play for Windows ME/2000/XP professional and Mac OS Dimensions:130mm*73mm*12mm
Powered though USB channel, no external power need.
Aluminum Case


Looks like this.....

USB Pocket Drive
 
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