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    Back Up and Information Removal Question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by iph03n1xi, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

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    I have to send in my laptop to HP for repairs due to excessive heat in my laptop. I was wondering what the best way to back up my hard drives was.

    I have two 160 GB SeaGate hard drives in my notebook. The HP lady I chatted to said I could take out the secondary hard drive and just leave the primary hard drive in.

    I also have a 500 GB external SeaGate hard drive.

    To back up my primary drive, do I just copy-paste everything in there to my external HD? Or is there something special I need to do?

    Also, how do I go about wiping the data off my primary hard drive once I'm done backing it up?

    And how do I remove the second hard drive in my laptop? Any specific process or is it just screws and screwdrivers?
     
    iph03n1xi, Jun 25, 2008
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    My opinion? Keep both drives, unless one is faulty.
     
    Greg, Jun 25, 2008
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  3. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

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    Keep as in don't send either of them in?

    Does that work? Since they said they may need a HD to test the notebook for issues and such...

    Also, removing them is just screws and screwdrivers?
     
    iph03n1xi, Jun 25, 2008
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  4. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    Surely HP has standard hard drives. I would take them both out and send it in without any drives, too.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Jun 25, 2008
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  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, you keep the drives. I've seen this done numerous times with no problem, and I suggest it because HP basically promises to screw with your data.

    Screws and screwdrivers is right...don't loose them though.

    They ought to have spare drives around...think about it...it is a repair shop.
     
    Greg, Jun 25, 2008
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  6. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

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    So should I buy external enclosures for the two drives I'm taking out? Or how do I store them until I get my laptop back?
     
    iph03n1xi, Jun 25, 2008
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  7. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    Put them in individual ziplocks in a cool, dry place where they will not get bumped or have anything set on top of them. If you have a small box or case that is good, too.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Jun 25, 2008
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  8. Gregory

    Gregory disassemble?

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    You're supposed to store them in an "antistatic bla bla bla" bag, but I think a ziplock bag in a drawer will be fine. You will only need to buy enclosures if you want to access your data while the laptop is in for repairs... as you will want to put the hard drives back in once you get it back.
     
    Gregory, Jun 25, 2008
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  9. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

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    K, gotcha.

    Anything I need to prep before I remove the hard drives? Touch metal or something like that to get the static out of my body, right? Or wear rubber gloves or something?

    Also, the hard drives should be easy to locate, right?
     
    iph03n1xi, Jun 25, 2008
    #9