Hard drive is failing

[Storm Crow]

So my hard drive is making slight revs and is fairly audible, this computer was bought in 2009 so the hdd is at least 6 years old. I want to back up my current data so when it fails I have a copy that I can just swap in right away. I picked a $45 wd blue 500gb nothing fancy. But how would I got about copying all my data from one hdd to another?

 

[USAFRet]

There are multiple ways to proceed. But, from a 6 year old drive that is already showing fail signs, a clean install on a new drive is by far the best way forward.

Why would you want to drag across known bad crap from the old drive to a new one?

 

[Storm Crow]

Well I need stuff like the OS and my old personal files. Its the family computer so there are like 4 different users and their data that I would like to keep.

 

[mazyarjr]

If your new drive is a WD, you should be able to use the Acronis True Image WD edition to clone your old disk to the new one for free:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119
I just did it a few weeks ago and it all went well.

 

[USAFRet]

You have a 6 year old OS install, and a potentially failing hard drive.
It needs to be redone.

Take your time, go through EVERYTHING. Find anything and everything you need to save. Personal docs and application installs.
Buy an external hard drive
Save all of that to the new external

Then we can see about what to do with the OS, etc.

 

[Storm Crow]

So by redoing it what does that mean? And you are suggesting to get an external hdd and then save my files I want to save to it and then install them to the replacement hdd.

"Then we can see about waht to do with the OS,etc." What does that mean?

 

[USAFRet]

So by redoing it what does that mean? And you are suggesting to get an external hdd and then save my files I want to save to it and then install them to the replacement hdd.

"Then we can see about waht to do with the OS,etc." What does that mean?

The ONLY thing that really matters is your personal docs. Music, tax files, pics, videos, etc. Everything else (OS and applications) can be recreated.

So you have a single PC and old drive, with multiple users.
You really, really need to back up all that stuff, before the drive really does fail. Once it fails...today, next year, whenever...all is gone. Forever.

Lets save that stuff first.

 

[Storm Crow]

I was thinking of snagging an external hd but then I figured if I just bought an hdd to replace it saved the files to it then its basically backed up and then Its a waiting game till the old drive fails. I figured wither external or replacement hdd im still saving it to it as a safeguard but with the replacement hdd i am able to immediately install it once the drive fails. You cant easily install an external hdd into a computer as an internal one can you?

 

[USAFRet]

Some backup or image you make of that drive today, will be outdated tomorrow.

 

[Storm Crow]

I guess we can do this your way lol. Im going to bestbuy today to get an external hard drive. And I'll amazon prime that WD blue here soon as well.

 

[ArtPog]

Well since you're purchasing that WD 500 GB HDD why not consider another option? I assume you would plan to use that WD HDD in your present system. You're not planning to build or buy another system, are you?

So assuming you're going to utilize that HDD in your present system and further assuming that your old HDD currently boots and functions without any problems (other than generating some noise) do you think you might consider cloning the contents of that old HDD to your new WD HDD? That way ALL your data on the old system, including the OS, all programs/applications, configurations, personal data, etc. will be available to you. It's really a simple solution as long as you're completely satisfied with the old system as it now stands (with the exception of a possible failing HDD). The disk-cloning process is relatively simple & straightforward. If you're interested in this approach we can provide some suggestions as to a disk-cloning program (freely available on the net) and how to use it.

As to the current HDD. It would be a good idea to use a HDD diagnostic program to test the drive. That type of program is freely available on the net. If you're interested so indicate and provide the name of the manufacturer of that disk. On the other hand perhaps you're going to junk it since there's some evidence (although not conclusive) that it's failing.

I'm sure the USB external HDD you're planning to purchase will come in handy. My advice to you is to opt for a separate USB enclosure and a separate HDD rather than purchasing a commercial product containing a single-unit enclosure + HDD. Take a look at the offerings at Newegg. You'll have much greater flexibility this way and the total cost should be roughly the same. Also opt for a system that has USB 3.0 capability since it's backwards compatible with USB 2.0. So even if your present system is only USB 2.0 capable the USBEHD will work with it. And later when you get a new system with USB 3.0 capability you'll be able to use the USBEHD to get the greater speed of that protocol.

 

[Storm Crow]

Well yeah I am building a new computer and I have heard about the WD cloning feature. I might just opt for that. But I wanted something I could get immediately just in case anything happened in the meantime. So I was going to get an ext HDD from best buy and then order that 500g WD blur HDD from amazon with prime and get it in two days to clone my current HDD onto and once my current HDD fails I switch it out with the WD blue HDD.

 

[Storm Crow]

Got the WD my passport 1 TB external HDD did a back up took like 6 hours lol. I'll be getting the WD blue 500 GB HDD once I get off work today and I'll put an image on that and swap my HDDs. TY for the help everyone.