HELP! Hitachi HDD problems

[nerdcubed]

So i booted up my pc this morning, and it opened to this thing called "MEGATREDNS" and it said "S.M.A.R.T status bad" i looked it up and i know that it means my HDD is failing... I tried to contact Hitachi, but i got nowhere. How do i back up my files?? I have a 256gig crucial ssd, but that wont be big enough i dont think... Is there anything i can do>

 

[ronintexas]

If you get another HDD, you can transfer the data directly. If you don't have enough room in the PC, you can do one of two things:
1) Get an external enclosure (about $20) for the old HDD and plug it into the USB port to transfer the data (this is the slower method)
2) Leave the case open, and plug in the new drive to an open SATA connector, then transfer the data. When done, remove the old HDD and put in the new one.

 

[nerdcubed]

Well actually i do have an external HP SimpleSave drive, if i plugged that in, could i back it up to the SimpleSave?

 

[ronintexas]

You should be able to.

 

[nerdcubed]

Okay, and that can be plugged into any old usb port correct?

 

[ronintexas]

Yes. The most important things to backup are in the "C:\USERS\" folders. To make things easy, just right click copy on this folder, and then paste it to the external drive. It would be better to actually install the OS and programs on the new drive - as you don't want corrupted files in the OS/programs.

 

[ebm9000]

Hitachi drives are known for poor reliability. The SSD should be enough space though if it has at least 25 GB left.