Affordable UK PC Build for a NAS and Jellyfin Server
I'm planning a UK-based home server with a budget of roughly £400–£800, although I'd prefer to spend less if the value is good. It would run NAS storage,…
hard drives
What’s the most reliable way to store 8TB or more of important files?
I need storage for roughly 3–4TB of personal files, with room to grow. I'm considering a commercial-grade NAS hard drive such as a Seagate IronWolf Pro, or a…
Hard drives aren’t detected after upgrading my PC
I recently upgraded nearly everything in my computer, including the motherboard and RAM. After reconnecting my existing hard drives and powering the system on, none of them appear…
What’s the catch with these unusually cheap hard drives?
I found these hard disk drives being sold at a surprisingly low price, and the deal is tempting. Are they likely to be used, refurbished, or relabeled? If…
Why does a 2 TB drive show only 1.8 TB in Windows?
I understand that a drive advertised as 2 TB appears as roughly 1.8 TB in Windows because manufacturers and operating systems use different units. What does that mean…
Is it safe to attach a small magnet inside my PC case?
I want to place a decorative magnet with a picture inside my PC case. It would be attached to a structural part of the case with no component…
Why have hard drive prices increased so much?
A few years ago, 4TB hard drives could be found for around $60, and 2TB models were often close to $60 in 2020. Now, similar drives seem to…
What’s the Most Affordable PC Build for Linux, Programming, and Everyday Browsing?
I'm looking for an inexpensive desktop that I can build myself. My main tasks will be writing code in Python, C, and C++, plus web browsing and watching…
How can I add several hard drives to an older PC for a home server?
I inherited an older desktop from my grandfather and want to turn it into a basic home server. It uses a Gigabyte GA-B75M-S motherboard with an LGA1155 processor,…
How can I add several hard drives to an older PC for a home server?
I inherited an older PC and several hard drives that I'd like to use for a basic home server. It has a Gigabyte GA-B75M-S motherboard with an LGA1155…
Is a 1TB 7200 RPM HDD a practical upgrade for storing games?
I recently built a gaming PC, but my M.2 SSD does not have enough space. SSDs are extremely expensive where I live, so I'm considering adding an affordable…
Can I use old SATA hard drives for Windows backups without slowing down my PC?
I currently use a roughly 480GB SSD for Windows 11 File History, but it is running out of space and I cannot afford a new 1–2TB SSD right…
Why do Windows drives start at C: instead of A:?
Why are the primary hard drive and later storage devices usually assigned C: in Windows instead of starting with A: or B:? I understand that drive letters after…
Why Do Windows Drives Start at C: Instead of A: or B:?
Why are the first hard drive and system partitions in Windows traditionally assigned the letter C:? Why weren't drives assigned starting with A: and B:, and why has…
What’s the best way to preserve personal videos for the long term?
I want to archive videos and memories from concerts and other events on physical media so I'm less likely to lose them. I'd like to be able to…
What's the Best Way to Connect Multiple Hard Drives into One Unit?
I'm looking to connect several physical hard drives using just one cable. Ideally, I want them all linked together so I can manage them easily. I assume I'll…
Why Are My External Hard Drives Failing So Frequently?
I've experienced a frustrating issue over the past six months where three of my external hard drives have failed. The drives include a 6 TB Seagate External Desktop,…
What Should I Do With 4 8TB Hard Drives I Just Got?
I recently acquired four 8TB Seagate Barracuda hard drives that were removed from a computer called "MozartTX." The previous owner was a bit of a mystery: he lived…
How can I efficiently test and wipe multiple hard drives at once?
I'm volunteering for an organization that collects, tests, repairs, and donates computer equipment, sending up to 90 computers at a time to schools in Senegal. We're committed to…
Do I need to wipe my hard drives before moving them to a new PC?
I'm upgrading my motherboard to support a newer CPU, and I'm planning to transfer my existing hard drives and SSDs to the new setup. I've heard mixed opinions:…