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Updates and backups

Rocky Raab

All three of my primary Linux distributions have come out with year-end updates, and it's been fun installing them and exploring all the new features.

That brings to mind a reminder that now is a great time to make full backups of whatever computer system you're using, to include often-forgotten things like bookmarks, passwords, product keys, and contact lists. External drives are cheaper than ever - you can get terabyte drives now for about $50.

(BTW, internal hard drives are also really cheap now. If you're handy enough to swap drives, that's the absolute safest way to try Linux. Pull your Windows drive out and save it so your data is always available.)

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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • NeoBlackdog

    I'm researching SSD's to replace the HD in my machine. Got any recommendations as to brand? Right now I'm leaning towards a Samsung 1TB.

    0
  • Gunnut358
    NeoBlackdog: 32606998165403/comments/32606999456667

    I'm researching SSD's to replace the HD in my machine. Got any recommendations as to brand? Right now I'm leaning towards a Samsung 1TB.

    I recently picked up a T-Force Vulcan Z 2TB SSD, and couldn't be happier. It was also my first SSD. Didn't realize was I was missing, and how far behind the times I was. So much faster than an HDD. Got it at a local shop for $100, which is probably higher than online, but was a 15 minute drive there instead of a week or two waiting for USPS.

    3
  • Locust Fork

    I have a brother in I.T. thank goodness. He is my backup. He has my computers all doing some nonsense all of the time that assures me that this is "fool proof" aka "his big sister proof." I buy him all the bourbon and tacos any man could want in return.

    0
  • Rocky Raab

    I can't offer advice as to brand, but SSD is definitely the way to go if your machine is compatible. Online, search for reviews.

    With a blank new drive, you'll have to re-install everything. (Again, a great time to try Linux.) or run a cloning program with the old drive connected via cable. Some computers have wiring that allow use of two hard drives, which makes this easy. Or, you can buy a separate cable that plugs into a USB slot. That will take longer to transfer data.

    If all this is beyond you, let a shop do it.

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