I've got a 1TB external hard drive that I primarily use for storing less frequently accessed data, including old projects, games, and documents. However, it's also where I keep a significant chunk of my VSTs for music production—about 300GB worth—because my laptop's internal SSDs are full due to my work with video production and gaming. Unfortunately, the hard drive is starting to fail, and I'm not sure why—maybe it's being used alongside my other storage or has been left plugged in too often? I can't afford a new 1TB drive right now to back everything up, and transferring important files to my already crammed laptop isn't an option either. Plus, I'm in the middle of a commission that relies on those VSTs. What options do I have?
5 Answers
Don't panic! One thing you could do is leverage cloud services. Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox often have free trials or are budget-friendly monthly subscriptions. Also, if time isn't too much of an issue, trying a cloud service for a month or so could give you breathing room until you can find a permanent solution. In the worst case, ask friends or family if they could store some files until you can resume with your hard drive. Just don't keep using that dying HDD!
Have you thought about physical media as a backup method? DVDs or flash drives can be helpful, but they may take a bit more effort and expense. Still, at least you'd have your important files kept safe while you figure everything else out!
You might consider taking a bit of time to save up for a new drive. HDDs are pretty cheap these days, and you can often find good deals around $30 or even less if you check online marketplaces or local sales. If you can’t hold out, you could try using an old PC or another laptop’s drive. You might be surprised what people are willing to give away for cheap!
Yeah, I've even taken old DVRs apart to retrieve drives before. They often have decent storage!
First off, you should definitely stop using that hard drive for now to avoid further damage. If you have Office 365, you might have access to 1TB of cloud storage, which could help you back up your files. If cloud storage sounds like too much hassle, you could try to swing by local thrift stores or even ask friends if they have any old drives they no longer use. You might be surprised how cheap used HDDs can be, sometimes as low as $10. just make sure to keep an eye out for deals!
Exactly! I've seen old drives at thrift stores for under $10. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might find a good deal.
You could run a disk check using CHKDSK to see if that might fix some of the issues without needing to replace the HDD right away. Just make sure to do it quickly because staying on a failing drive can make problems worse!
True! You want to protect your data first and foremost, so a temporary solution like that could work well.