Replacement of dying Harddrive

What's the best way to back up everything?

Published on April 21, 2006 By aufisch In PC Hardware

Sigh, my HD on my Laptop is on it's way out. I have had that suspicion for a while now (strange "scratching" noises coming from the HD, little Errors popping up here and there, (small) loss of data), but I just got confirmation with SMART telling me during Boot that I have to back-up and replace it NOW.

I can't affort a new Laptop at the moment, so I want to back up all my data and buy a new HD. I didn't have Norton Gost, when this computer was new and I don't have a "fresh" full backup anywhere, but I still have the original recovery discs that came with the notebook. I therefore would like to start from scratch with a clean install rather than copying the current software with all it's little errors and problems to the new HD.

Now, it isn't a big deal to back up all my skins and Personal Files (I have an external HD to do that), but I have a couple of questions about certain programs:

- WinXP (Home): Is there a way to back up all those updates (incl SP2 and NET-framework) so I don't have to download them again?

- Firefox: How do I back-up and restore my Bookmarks, Extensions and Skins there?
- Thunderbird: How can I back-up and restore my Extensions, Mails and Address-List?

These are my main concens at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.

Comments (Page 2)

Corky_O

on Apr 22, 2006

Sorry about the post above, I had spaces set up for each step, but the site seems to have changed something.

aufisch

on Apr 22, 2006

Oh wow, thank you all very much for the tips!

I downloaded Autopatcher, which seems to be a nifty little programm indeed. I also downloaded MozBackup, and I am gonna back up everything later today (the most important files are already back up anyway).

My Laptop wasn't on the HD-compatiblity list from the link provided by Po (#12). It is a Sony VAIO PCG-FR720. I believe this model was only sold in Asia and Australia/New Zealand. I think I am going with the 80GB anyway, because 40GB is just not big enough for me anymore.

Now if only the old HD lives until the new arrives to make this a least painful as possible....

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

aufisch

on Apr 22, 2006

Thank you Corky.

I copied and pasted your "HD-upgrading Manual" into word. I am going to print that one out (and I put the spaces back in

), and use it as a cooking receipe when I do the big change.

Corky_O

on Apr 22, 2006

No Problem, aufish.

BTW - the quick search I did, found one BIOS update here http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/website/General/Model.aspx?Model=PCG-FR720#MyTopSearch as well as a few other downloads. I would only install this BIOS update if you have experienced issues with any USB 2.0 connections, otherwise do not worry about it. The other downloads are to address specific issues as well, so only use those if they apply to your circumstances.

The other bit of information I found indicates that your machine can accommodate up to 100 GB hard drive, according to the drives offered and listed compatibility here http://www.getpartsonline.com/sony-vaio-fr.html

The 100 GB would be make sense, based on the current large drives available for laptop/notebook computers (100 - 120 GB). I would recommend going with an 80 GB 7200 RPM model if you can get one where you are. I just installed a Seagate Momentus 80 GB 7200 RPM drive in my Dell notebook, and the performance over the previous 40 GB 5400 RPM drive is significant (as well as the space).

Now that I am back in Internet Explorer, I am hoping this post will retain it's spacing.

Good luck.

aufisch

on Apr 22, 2006

I initially intended to by the 80GB 7200rpm Corky, but there is a 100sFR difference between the 5400 and the 7200 Hitachi Travelmate

I don't think that I will update my BIOS, I never had any problems with my USB devices (Mouse, external HD, flash-drive...), so it probably wouldn't be worth the risk.

Thanks again for your help.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!