Computer Crashed...please Read..

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences related to data loss due to computer crashes, specifically focusing on issues with backing up data using CD-R and CD-RW discs. Participants share their frustrations, personal experiences, and alternative methods for data storage and backup.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, experienced a computer crash that resulted in the loss of over 1100 shows due to issues with CD-R backups.
  • Another participant explains that CD-Rs are one-time use, while CD-RWs allow for editing, suggesting the use of flash drives for backups instead.
  • Several users mention the convenience of flash drives over CDs for data storage and backup.
  • One participant shares their experience of using a memory stick for backups during shows.
  • Another participant discusses the importance of keeping a physical record of bookings using a "host rewards" booklet.
  • One participant mentions their practice of going paperless and relying on electronic backups, expressing concern over lost data.
  • Several users discuss potential data recovery options, including professional services and local community colleges for assistance.
  • Some participants express surprise at the limitations of CD backups and share their plans to change their backup practices.
  • One participant suggests checking backup files on thumb drives to ensure data is saved correctly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the effectiveness of various backup methods, with some participants advocating for flash drives while others reflect on their reliance on CDs. No clear consensus emerges on the best approach to data backup.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and practices related to data management among Pampered Chef consultants, highlighting the challenges and frustrations associated with data loss.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who rely on digital backups for their business may find the shared experiences and alternative suggestions relevant to their own practices.

crissy11
Gold Member
Messages
423
My computer crashed on Thursday. The #1 sector was corrupted and two different people have not been able to access the hard drive to try and save some stuff. I loaded the PP+ onto my husband's laptop and got my cd to restore my shows. It said there was nothing on the cd. I back up weekly and have for4 years that we had the computer.
I called Tech Support this morning and the guy asked me if it was a cd-r or a cd-rw disc. I said cd-r.. He continues to say the Pampered Partner program can ONLY be saved on a cd-rw disc. Sorry but you have been saving it to the hard drive all of these years and there is nothing that we can do. I have over 1100 shows in there and they are all gone.
I asked why do they not let people know that it will not save on anything else and he said even with the cd-rw it is only a 50% chance that our program will save to it. He said to be absolutely sure that it saves to something than I need to buy a flashdrive. He said that when you use a cd-rw disc it has to be reformatted to Data or it will not overwrite or rewrite.
Am I the only one who doesn't know this?? I told him he should send this out in a weekly bites to let people know to check their cd's. even if they are using the right one. He just said I am sorry but there is nothing we can do. I will transfer you to customer service.
I needed for them to see who had booked off of one lady's show. They said they don't see names of who booked. I asked then how do they know who is linked to who and she said it was through the past hostess discount number but she couldn't look at a hostess show and tell me who the bookings were.
I am just soo frustrated and wanted to warn you all to check those discs.
Staples has the flashdrives on sale for less than $20 so I guess I will be buying one.
Crystal
 
CD-R are only 1 use CD's. Once you saved files, music, etc on them that's what on there for the life of the CD. CD-RW let you edit the CD. I suggest using a thumb drive (flash drive) instead of a CD next time. There are also several people who back up their stuff twice so that just in case one is corrupt, the other has the information.
 
I'm sorry to hear that you lost all of your data. I'd recommend getting a fairly large (like 1G) flashdrive since you have so many shows. It will be much easier to carry around and to use than a CD anyways.

Thanks for the heads up though.
 
I save mine on a memory stick. (more frequently on the hard drive) but anytime I am at shows, I use the stick.

HTH
 
Something that may help in the future with bookings, I don't remember the exact name so someone can speak up if they want. It's the "host rewards" booklet. It has duplicate sheets, you write down all the host info, where her party is at right now, where it could be at with outside orders, bookings, who owe's the host what (love that part). That way you always have a record in your hands.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
I have all of the paperwork. I have been doing this for 9 years and went paperless several years ago. I wait until I transmit the show and then throw the order forms and the hostess reward form away. I have then just printed out a receipt to whoever needed one. I do expect the hostess to remember who booked shows off of them but need to know for my sanity also.
When I get my new computer you better believe I will have a external hard drive plus the flash drive to save to. But it doesn't help with the 1100 shows that are lost now. I did talk to someone who does hard drive recovery and for a minimum of $250 they can try and get into the hard drive by opening it up and taking the disc out and seeing if they can retrieve anything off of it.
Right now it is worth it to do that.
 
Why don't you try to call a local Vo-tech or community college that offers computer training. Those kids are just as good, but don't have the degree and that means you don't pay them as much. Just my thoughts!
 
Crissy - want to ship me your harddrive? I have a GREAT recovery program and if I can get the drive to spin (which it seems to) it may recover some stuff.It ran for 3-4 weeks on mine but I got my data back (my drive was BAD!!!!!)PM me if you want us to work on it...won't cost you $250!!!!!
 
There are companies in the world that can recover your data. They have clean rooms where they open your drive and physically read the data off the platters.If you do a google search on data recovery, you'll be able to find that there are several of them.They aren't cheap - but what price do you put on your data?
 
I didn't know this! And to be honest I do the backup to my computer but nowhere else... (how dumb is that now that I think about it!!). I'll be backing up to my flash drive - thanks for the heads up!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
thanks for all of the emails...
 
Hopefully some of your data will be recovered! I was relieved when I got mine back and it was only 1 year's worth! ...and I KNOW better on back-ups...
 
BTW, Tiger Direct just had 2GB jump drives for $9.99 each.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Janet, I will have to get back with you on the type of computer. I just know it is a desktop Dell. My husband has it in his car and I have the hard drive sitting on the table here. I will ask him what it is for sure.
 
crissy11 said:
Janet, I will have to get back with you on the type of computer. I just know it is a desktop Dell. My husband has it in his car and I have the hard drive sitting on the table here. I will ask him what it is for sure.

Hey no problem - most like an IDE harddrive then. They have some SATAs but didn't put them in most of the home use PCs.

If you need any directions on taking just the harddrive out, just yell.

We use Dells solely here at work for the last 5-6 years so I've had every model pass me...practically and I'm on a Precision 670 right now. :)

If there is viable data on the drive and we can get it cooled and spinning we'll get it...just short of what KG said about taking the HD apart in a clean room and reading the plates...don't do that.

Just send me a note later!
 
hperschnick said:
I didn't know this! And to be honest I do the backup to my computer but nowhere else... (how dumb is that now that I think about it!!). I'll be backing up to my flash drive - thanks for the heads up!
I'm going to get my flash drive right now and back up. Yikes, this scares me because I'd be a mess if my computer crashed!!!
 
Alright, now I'm paranoid! I always back-up to a CD and a Thumb Drive. How can I be sure that my data is on them?
 
Good question Linda! I always try to make sure I back up after closing a show, just as a reminder. I almost lost a few shows when the computer I was working on wouldn't turn on. I spend 30 minutes on the phone with my brother learning how to change the hard drive out (I am so computer illiterate!). Now I know what to do next time but was able to retrieve all my stuff that wasn't saved on my flash drive.
 
Plug your thumb drive in and in Internet Explorer go look at it and see if the back-up file is on it. Usually is for jump drives if you saved it there. CDs are trickier if not formatted and you miss that it isn't writing.
 
Janet, is that the PPPlus.dat file? That's the only one dated today.
 
pamperedlinda said:
Janet, is that the PPPlus.dat file? That's the only one dated today.

You can save it as various names.

I usually save mine as 20080225 (by date). Otherwise, it does default to ppplus.dat.

You should be going to Tools then back-up then saving it with a name. That's usually what I do.
 
I've always used the default and wrote over it. From now on I will give it a name. I guess that's a good idea b/c if your latest back-up fails for some reason then you have another not so current version (but better than nothing).
 
pamperedlinda said:
I've always used the default and wrote over it. From now on I will give it a name. I guess that's a good idea b/c if your latest back-up fails for some reason then you have another not so current version (but better than nothing).
Yup, that's why I do it...so I keep a few copies on hand...and I know at a quick glance when I last backed up.
 
Just hearing about all of this has made me want to back up. My computer crashed with about 6 months worth of data that could not be recovered last year. I was so sick over it because I couldn't get it to back up on my CD's. I got a flash drive and I try to back up at least once/week. I hadn't thought of changing the name of the file though. Thanks for the tip.
 
OK...I am confused...if I buy a flash drive what does it hook to and how does it work???? I can not for the life of me get my data from PP+ onto a disc or evena floppy!!!!!!!!!:(
 
lisa717 said:
OK...I am confused...if I buy a flash drive what does it hook to and how does it work???? I can not for the life of me get my data from PP+ onto a disc or evena floppy!!!!!!!!!:(

A flash drive or jump drive plugs into a USB port. It acts as another drive letter and you can save to it like you would to an old floppy disk.
 
what are your thoughts about backing up on a Zip disc? That is what I have been doing. Should I switch to the flash thing? You all have such great info to share! - thanks
 

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