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  • Computers + Stupidity = Catastrophe

    We all hear about the importance of periodically backing up your hard drive. Sure a few of us even learned the hard way.

    Well I learned the hard way with my USB stick. I was writing the Magico S5 review at home and in my spare moments at work and that USB sure seemed a great way of carrying the file back and forth. That is, if you back up your file on your hard drive and stupidly I didn't.

    So Thursday I have an hour break at work and decide to put the finishing touches on the article. Insert the USB stick into my work computer and for some reason can't find my file. Remove the stick, reinsert and disaster strikes. That dreaded "format your stick" error message appears on the screen. Try and couple of times in a couple of different computers but no dice. By this point I am cursing but there's nothing I can do until later. Finish work at 1 PM and take the USB stick to my computer tech. He looks at the stick and says it will cost you $300 to recover the files. Hell no. Try a couple of software packages and no luck in retrieving the information off the stick. Luckily I had a hard copy--albeit it a couple of generations removed from where I was--to go back to. Better than starting from scratch though. So spent an hour or two retyping the 3000 word piece today and then have been re-editing again. Sadly though, there were other partially written reviews on that stick too without any hard copy that are now history.

    Moral of story: backup everything.
    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
    ________________________________________

    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
    -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
    -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

  • #2
    I send generations of my work-in-progress as attachments to a one of my yahoo email boxes. And make backups locally, of course.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by tima
      I send generations of my work-in-progress as attachments to a one of my yahoo email boxes. And make backups locally, of course.
      Another great suggestion that I will now do too.
      Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
      Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
      ________________________________________

      -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
      -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
      -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
      -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
      -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
      -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
      -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
      -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
      -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
      -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

      Comment


      • #4
        I keep all my PF files in a Dropbox account. automatically saves everything to the HD of every PC I have linked to it, and saves it in my Dropbox account. Everything is backed up and available from any computer where I can log in to Dropbox. 2.5 GB are free. My wife has a pro account (1 TB for $99 year).
        Steve Lefkowicz
        Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback
        -
        Analog 1: Linn LP12 (MOSE/Hercules II), Ittok, Dynavector 10X5 MK.II Low, iPhono2/iPowerX; Analog 2: Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon, Talisman S, iFi iPhono.
        Digital: Geekom Mini PC (i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, JRiver Media Center 29, Tidal HiFi, Qobuz Studio), iFi NEO iDSD, iFi iUSB3, iPurifier2, Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ.
        Electronics: Khozmo Stereo Passive with AMRG Ladder Attenuator and "NewClassD" Active Stage, Antique Sound Labs MG-SI15DT-S, Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso
        Speakers: Tekton Perfect SET 15, Tekton Lore, Magneplaner .7, GoldenEar BRX
        Interconnects: Morrow Audio MA1, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl, Audioquest Evergreen
        Speaker cables: Morrow Audio SP4, Vermouth Audio Red Velvet, Audioquest Type 5
        Digital cables: Aural Symphonics USB, iFi Gemini twin-head USB.
        Accessories: Sound Organization turntable shelf, Mondo racks, Pangea Audio Vulcan rack, AV Room Services EVPs under the speakers, Pi Audio Group Über BUSS, Monster HTS2000 power conditioner, Kinetronics anti-static brush, Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner, Spin Clean record cleaner.
        Headphones: Schiit Valhalla amp, Burson Conductor Virtuoso Amp, Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 600 ohm, 1More Triple Driver Over Ear, 1More Triple Driver IEM

        Comment


        • MylesBAstor
          MylesBAstor commented
          Editing a comment
          Thanks, use Dropbox but never thought of that.

      • #5
        It can get worse we have 7 computers at work we back up to disks end of each week with daily back ups to hard drives . We went thru a period of break ins where the computers were all stolen. They broke in thru a window and exited out the front door as the door self closes it caught the mice trailing behind they were lined up with their tails snapped off. Takes a day to buy new computers then the back ups then input several days work plus the work from the day you lost setting up.

        New glass that you can not break with a hammer and they tried they hit it 20 or 30 times made a hole about the size of a hammer head in the first layer nevr broke the second pain. Roll down security doors for the main display windows.

        Security alarm was of no use it worked but police time is so slow they are long gone. I have never had a camera system that maybe next or move next to a donut shop.

        Lot of our info is cad files so big files to redo or back up we back up to disk and store off site. it is a pain but make it a planned time and date like every day or every Friday and it is a bit better.

        Comment


        • #6
          Myles,

          use a service like Google Docs or any of the cloud based file storage places. All your work is packed up all the time. Unless you start using it for pictures you can't opt for free or cheapest level as text files aren't that big.
          Fairchild 750 in OMA slate plinth, Miyajima Kansui, AprilSound RIAA, EMIA step-up, Bent Audi TAP-X pre, Ayre C5x SACD, Innuos Zen Mini, CAD 1543 MK II DAC, AntiCable Level 1 loom. AprilSound 50 monoblocs, or Shiit Aegir or Museatax MTR-101 monoblocs.

          Comment


          • #7
            Sorry to hear about this, I've been there with my wife's business. Best way to handle it IMO is with a subscription cloud saving service. Carbonite is good. Save to any drive on your device and it gets duplicated on the cloud automatically. Less than $100/year for subscription.

            Any other method relies on your discipline.
            Phono: Aesthetix Io Eclipse with 2 Power Supplies and Volume controls
            Custom Slagle Silver Autoformer Volume control
            Brinkmann Balance & RonT Tube Power supply with Kuzma 4-point ,FR64S, .Koetsu Jade Platinum,Etsuro Gold, DaVa FA-1 Goldfinger Statement, KLAUDIO RCM, HRSM3X
            Amps: Custom Direct Drive, Wyetech Topaz, Futterman H3 Quad II,Citation II, Marantz 8b, 5 ,2. Bedini 25/25
            Otari Bx5050II , DeHavlland 222
            Chord DAVE, MScaler, FARAD linear power supply mod, OPTO-DX optical connection

            Pre-Amps:Marantz 7, Marantz Model 1 Consolette Pair
            Speakers: Beveridge Model 3 Direct Drive amps, REL S/2 x 2, Quad ESL pair

            Comment


            • MylesBAstor
              MylesBAstor commented
              Editing a comment
              Thanks! Just with my crazy schedule, try and get writing done whenever get a break in the day. 😎 Good idea.

          • #8
            Originally posted by Beaur
            Myles,

            use a service like Google Docs or any of the cloud based file storage places. All your work is packed up all the time. Unless you start using it for pictures you can't opt for free or cheapest level as text files aren't that big.
            Thanks still am wondering why Word is not cloud based. Know they have One Note that is similar to Dropbox but not the same.
            Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
            Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
            ________________________________________

            -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
            -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
            -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
            -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
            -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
            -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
            -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
            -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
            -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
            -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

            Comment


            • #9
              Originally posted by Garth
              It can get worse we have 7 computers at work we back up to disks end of each week with daily back ups to hard drives . We went thru a period of break ins where the computers were all stolen. They broke in thru a window and exited out the front door as the door self closes it caught the mice trailing behind they were lined up with their tails snapped off. Takes a day to buy new computers then the back ups then input several days work plus the work from the day you lost setting up.

              New glass that you can not break with a hammer and they tried they hit it 20 or 30 times made a hole about the size of a hammer head in the first layer nevr broke the second pain. Roll down security doors for the main display windows.

              Security alarm was of no use it worked but police time is so slow they are long gone. I have never had a camera system that maybe next or move next to a donut shop.

              Lot of our info is cad files so big files to redo or back up we back up to disk and store off site. it is a pain but make it a planned time and date like every day or every Friday and it is a bit better.
              Now that's funny!
              Micro Seiki SX-8000 table with flywheel, SME 3012R arm, SME 312S arm, Lyra Etna SL and Dynavector XV-1S cartridges, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 tape deck, Ampex 350 repros, Roon Nucleus Plus server, PS Audio DSJ DAC, ARC Ref 6 pre, ARC Ref 75 amp, Parasound JC5 amp, JBL 4345 speakers, and Def Tech Ref subs.

              Comment


              • #10
                You would think that you only had to experience a loss like that once, and it would never happen again. But you would be wrong. We are creatures of habit, and if you don;t make a habit of backing up every time you sit down at the computer and add something to it, then you will probably get lax again.

                Comment


                • #11
                  Originally posted by MylesBAstor

                  Thanks still am wondering why Word is not cloud based. Know they have One Note that is similar to Dropbox but not the same.
                  Myles,

                  They do have a cloud based service. It's $99/year and you get the Office suite with all updates and storage. It's called Office365, at least on the Mac.
                  Fairchild 750 in OMA slate plinth, Miyajima Kansui, AprilSound RIAA, EMIA step-up, Bent Audi TAP-X pre, Ayre C5x SACD, Innuos Zen Mini, CAD 1543 MK II DAC, AntiCable Level 1 loom. AprilSound 50 monoblocs, or Shiit Aegir or Museatax MTR-101 monoblocs.

                  Comment


                  • MylesBAstor
                    MylesBAstor commented
                    Editing a comment
                    Hmmmm....that's what I had. I just checked and have Office 365 Personal. Will have to do more investigation.

                  • MylesBAstor
                    MylesBAstor commented
                    Editing a comment
                    OK it does. One Note/One Drive as I mentioned before. But seems you have to drag file to One Note to save to cloud. Not say automatically like happens with dropbox. At least sometimes.

                • #12
                  It isn't just written copy, backup applies to music servers too. I use a powered 2TB hard drive with my Bluesound server. Sure, the CDs are packed away but if the Bluesound fails I really don't want to reload all of that music.
                  Turntable: TW Acustic TT with Ref motor & controller; Tri-Planar Arm; Transfiguration Proteus Cartridge (repaired and re-tipped by AnaMightySound), Massif Record Weight, PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp; KLAudio Ultrasonic Record Cleaner.
                  Digital: Bluesound Vault-2 Music Server & Streamer
                  Amplification: VTL 6.5 preamp Series II, Pass Labs 150.8 Amp
                  Loudspeakers: Piega C711 Loudspeakers
                  Isolation: Symposium Osiris Rack; Symposium Platforms and Roller Blocks and grade 2.5 Balls
                  Misc: Acoustic Revive RR-888 Low Frequency Pulse Generator, Synergistic Research 12 UEF SE Line Conditioner, Level 3 HC AC Cord and Level 3 Atmosphere power cords, Synergistic Carbon fiber wall plates, Synergistic Research Orange Outlet, Furutech NCF Booster Braces, synergistic Research Galileo and Atmosphere X Euphoria Level 3 Balanced ICs, Synergistic Research Euphoria Level 3 Speaker Cables, Synergistic Research Cable Risers.

                  Sennheiser HDV 650 Headphone Amp; Sennheiser HD800s Headphones.

                  Comment


                  • #13
                    I won a contest at PFO and got a bunch of DSD albums from Acoustic Sounds which all went to the bit bucket in the sky when my hard disk crashed. Now I have a usb hard disk for backup but my enthusiasm for computer audio has never really recovered.

                    Comment


                    • #14
                      Originally posted by Mortsnets
                      I won a contest at PFO and got a bunch of DSD albums from Acoustic Sounds which all went to the bit bucket in the sky when my hard disk crashed. Now I have a usb hard disk for backup but my enthusiasm for computer audio has never really recovered.
                      Just remember that a single drive USB "backup" is only putting off the inevitable loss off data, as all hard drives eventually fail. I have to deal with this at work all the time ( I support computer based laser retinal scanners) where doctors are too cheap to put a proper RAID 5, 6 or 10 array in for backup. Had a doc lose 13 years of patient data (and a 195,000 records) recently because his cheap $60 USB backup crashed. At least use a dual disk RAID 1 mirrored backup.
                      Steve Lefkowicz
                      Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback
                      -
                      Analog 1: Linn LP12 (MOSE/Hercules II), Ittok, Dynavector 10X5 MK.II Low, iPhono2/iPowerX; Analog 2: Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon, Talisman S, iFi iPhono.
                      Digital: Geekom Mini PC (i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, JRiver Media Center 29, Tidal HiFi, Qobuz Studio), iFi NEO iDSD, iFi iUSB3, iPurifier2, Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ.
                      Electronics: Khozmo Stereo Passive with AMRG Ladder Attenuator and "NewClassD" Active Stage, Antique Sound Labs MG-SI15DT-S, Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso
                      Speakers: Tekton Perfect SET 15, Tekton Lore, Magneplaner .7, GoldenEar BRX
                      Interconnects: Morrow Audio MA1, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl, Audioquest Evergreen
                      Speaker cables: Morrow Audio SP4, Vermouth Audio Red Velvet, Audioquest Type 5
                      Digital cables: Aural Symphonics USB, iFi Gemini twin-head USB.
                      Accessories: Sound Organization turntable shelf, Mondo racks, Pangea Audio Vulcan rack, AV Room Services EVPs under the speakers, Pi Audio Group Über BUSS, Monster HTS2000 power conditioner, Kinetronics anti-static brush, Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner, Spin Clean record cleaner.
                      Headphones: Schiit Valhalla amp, Burson Conductor Virtuoso Amp, Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 600 ohm, 1More Triple Driver Over Ear, 1More Triple Driver IEM

                      Comment


                      • Guest's Avatar
                        Guest commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Good points. My local backup is a 1T mirrored array. The trick is the mirroring. Write to both disks, if one fails plug in a new one and everything is automatically replicated. Or buy 3 disk and rotate them; no real work involved and a recent backup is kept offline..

                        Once you suffer a crash you'll start backing up. Why wait until then

                    • #15
                      Originally posted by Steve Lefkowicz

                      Just remember that a single drive USB "backup" is only putting off the inevitable loss off data, as all hard drives eventually fail. I have to deal with this at work all the time ( I support computer based laser retinal scanners) where doctors are too cheap to put a proper RAID 5, 6 or 10 array in for backup. Had a doc lose 13 years of patient data (and a 195,000 records) recently because his cheap $60 USB backup crashed. At least use a dual disk RAID 1 mirrored backup.
                      with all the years doctors put in at school, don't they teach them anything about computers and recordkeeping?
                      Magnepan 1.6 QR Loudspeakers, Amherst A-2000 MOSFET 150 WPC Amp, Conrad Johnson PV-10A Modded Tube Line & Phono Stage, Electrocompaniet MC II Class A Head Amp, Audio Technica AT-OC9XML Cart (Stereo) , Graham Engineering 2.2 Tonearm (Stereo) , VPI Aries-1 Turntable (Stereo) , VPI Clamp, Denon DL-102 Cart, (Mono) , Luxman Tonearm (Mono) , Kenwood KD-500 Turntable (Mono) , Michell Clamp, Marantz 20B Analog FM Tuner, Pioneer SACD, Onkyo DX-6800 CD Transport, DIY 24B/192K DAC, Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones, Headroom Max Balanced Headphone Amp, DIY Silver Interconnects

                      Comment

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