I'm really worried about my Dell Latitude 7490 laptop, which doesn't turn on properly. Sometimes it works, but usually, it just crashes. A technician mentioned that the SSD is the problem and said he would replace it while transferring my data to the new drive. This has me scared because all my important files—my current work, job experiences, and university work from the last four years—are on it. Is there a chance I'll lose everything?
6 Answers
If your SSD is failing, there's definitely reason to consider backups. This is why cloud services are so valuable. Make sure you have your important files backed up elsewhere, just in case.
I really doubt you'll lose your data. If the SSD is still readable, the tech should be able to check it. Just a heads-up—always make backups! Hard drives fail eventually, so it's smart to have copies stored elsewhere, like in the cloud or on another external drive.
This is a classic situation—it’s a tough lesson in backup awareness! Drives can fail at any time, so remember the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data on two different media, with one offsite.
When discussing with your tech, ask him to copy the data instead of moving it, and also to keep the old drive. Is there really no backup at all? If it’s that crucial, it might be worth figuring out an external solution, even if the files are large.
I totally understand your anxiety; I once had my old laptop die right before an important event. If your technician knows what he's doing, he should clone your SSD to the new one before replacing it. Just make sure to remind him not to format the old drive first. Take a deep breath, your memories are likely safe!
Just to add, relying solely on USB drives for backups isn't the best choice. They can fail unexpectedly and lose data if not used regularly. A proper backup solution with a mechanical hard drive is safer! Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule to keep your important files safe.