On 02/25/2011 12:34 PM, Kristopher Gamrat wrote:
> Hi guys,
> My hard disk seems to have failed, it started making random loud
> noises and is now refusing to boot. I am currently booted off a Live
> CD and chatting with an HP tech. Hopefully we can get the new hardware
> in quickly so I can continue with TDE and my other Linux projects.
> 

Good luck Kristopher.

  With 2.5 & 3.5 inch drives so cheap these days, It always pays to have a
backup sitting in your desk drawer. Hope you get it going soon. One word of
caution -- If you think it is a drive issue, then don't run that drive any more
than possible.

  I have had most success in this area by just removing the drive when I get the
first indication of failure. I install a new drive, then I use a USB -> IDE/SATA
adapter to start the old drive and copy the data to the new box.

  The USB adapter runs ~ $14, provides its own power supply and has 2.5 and 3.5
inch IDE data connectors as well as SATA. The adapter provides ~ 33 MB/s
(2G/min) 'actual' throughput and can be real a life saver. Not to mention, it
allow you to use any old hard drive as a 'zip drive'

-- 
David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.