[Sussex] moving data, backups etc - best/simplest/cheapest practice ?

[Desmond Armstrong]

On 18/06/11 16:59, johnsemailaccount at gmail.com wrote:
> On , Dominic Humphries <linux at oneandoneis2.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ...unplug the hard drive from your old PC, plug it into the new one
> > as a "slave" drive, boot it and have instant access to all your old
> > files?
> >
> >
> >
> > :)
> >
> Ok, yes, that's a brilliant idea - certainly one that I hadn't thought 
> of....
>
> What's the likelihood of any possible compatibility issues ? As I have 
> no idea how to work that out.
>
> Plus, would the new PC and/or 11.04 auto detect the old hard drive ? 
> or would I have to work out how to make it so the system is "seen" ?
>
> I'm very unsure as to whether that would need to be done before or 
> after I start adding Ubuntu to the new PC.....

Certainly you can easily have access to the files this way.

I also use USB connected adaptors for this purpose.

However, on the issue of taking copy of your data, I am much happier 
with the use of an external HD a WD 2GB  is pretty cheap these days.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Elements-External-Desktop/dp/B003IPC21Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1308422317&sr=8-2

for example.

The reason I am adding this comment is that I am not finding backups on 
CD / DVD to be long lasting. An external HD used for this purpose and 
then just put back on the shelf not connected does seem to me to be a 
much better approach.

On your start up problem, sounds a bit like a problem with the power 
supply to me and, assuming standard ATX box,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/500-WATT-ATX-POWER-SUPPLY/dp/7135799313/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1308422567&sr=1-1

is certainly cheap enough.

At any rate if there is standard 20 or 24 pin connector, at least this 
would verify problem. Unless of course, your M/B is on the blink.

Also depending on age, how close is the HD to it's end of life. I do 
struggle at times to recover people's data using tools such as 
clonezilla and puppy. If there are defects then clonezilla is not enough.

I am also beginning to wonder about the use of ethernet connected boxes 
containing HDs in a raid arrangement, certainly useful if you require 
frequent access to data.