lilyp37•3mo agoMost Upvoted

My backup drive gave out right before a big data recovery job

I was getting ready to pull files for a client in Boise when my trusty 4TB WD MyBook just stopped showing up. It happened yesterday afternoon, right after I plugged it in to check the image files. I swapped cables and tried a different computer, but no luck, so now I'm running recovery software overnight. Anyone have a go-to external drive they've used for years without issues?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_jana3mo ago

Honestly, I've had the opposite luck with WD drives. My last two failed within a year. Tbh I've had way better luck with basic Seagate ones for backups.

avery_flores171mo ago

Same thing happened with a toaster I bought last year. Worked great for 3 months then just stopped heating up. It's like some companies put all the good parts in their premium stuff and cheap out on the basic versions. I've noticed that pattern with a lot of electronics actually. The mid-range models seem to be the sweet spot where they don't cut too many corners but you're not paying for fancy branding. Hard drives are probably the same way, you get what you pay for but sometimes paying more doesn't mean better either.

linda1143mo ago

Ugh, that's the worst timing... @the_jana might be onto something with trying a different brand next time.

wesleyb203mo ago

Man, this whole hard drive talk is giving me flashbacks. My old laptop's drive died right before finals one year. Lost all my notes and a half-finished paper. I had to rewrite the whole thing from memory the night before. Never trusted that brand again.