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Backup disk failure

This looks bad. At my clients.. Disk Management doesn’t list the drive except to say “Disk 1 Unknown Unreadable”. Trying to access F:\ (the drive letter) always fails, cannot see any directories or files under it.

Should I have someone on-site disconnect and reconnect the drive?
Should I try to check SMART data? (also how does one view SMART data in windows?)
It seems most likely the drive is dead, but the hardware manager lists the drive as working properly. (Probably working properly as in, still a working USB device, but the disk may still have failed)

How do you think I should proceed?

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Brian B

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tiras gans

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I will give it a try. I also understand this is not a very mature method for backups but this is only for a small law firm with two users. What can be improved here without spending too much $$ but have more reliable backup system?
Thanks!

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nobus

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tiras gans

ASKER

Looks like reconnecting and powering off/on helped. Copying data over now.

The eSata you mentioned. I know it is faster. But is it a more reliable way then just external USB drive?

nobus

eSata is in fact the same as Sata, so yes, i would think it is more reliable, but i could not find any info proving it
what i know, is that USB is widely used, and eSata is not

but using the above devices, you have the choice

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Brian B

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tiras gans

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I am thinking Mozy Pro. Used for few small clients and maybe use for this one also.. What do you think about Mozy?

Brian B

Mozy Pro almost seems like an online image to me, and not a copy. It is pretty good, but keep all your options in mind. Some reviewers don't like it and I agree with their reasons (such as if you accidentally delete a file on your system, it will eventually be deleted from your backup as well).

http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2008/07/computer-crash-1-mozypro-remote-backup.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13554_3-9752330-33.html