Yesterday, I decided that it was probably about time I backed up some files in case something goes wrong with my computer. The day before that, I got given a DVD writer for my laptop to borrow. I was going to give it straight back but they said I can borrow t for a bit longer. Since I had it, I thought that I might as well put it to use. I had some music to burn to CDs, music to rip from CDs, and some backing up to do.

I used Windows to format the disc to enable me to drag and drop the folders and files I wanted to back up. I was hoping that I could backup all my important files to one DVD disc so I didn’t have to mess around with multiple backup discs. I managed to just fit everything that I needed. I didn’t backup my desktop because the videos there will be transferred to an external drive later. I also didn’t bother backing up my music folder because I didn’t need the podcasts and iTunes libraries that were there because I wouldn’t use or listen to anything there ever again. If something did happen to my data, it would be easy enough for me to start fresh. After backing up, I closed the disc and labeled it with a marker and filed it in my Disc Case for archive purposes.

I then burnt music to disc and them ripped music into my iTunes Library. That was a simple task. I then decided that I would backup my iTunes Music Library because at times, I have heard clicking coming from my external music drive and also Windows Vista doesn’t spin down the disc when I eject it from the computer so I have to unplug it in a special way. If I just yank the USB cord from the computer, the drive makes an awful sound, and it could one day possibly destroy the drive somehow. For me to safely remove it from the computer, I have to pull the cord half out to spin down the drive, then I can take it all the way out without it making the horrible sound. It took a bit over 30 minutes and 3 DVDs to backup my iTunes Library, which was a little over 10GB.

Backing up my files on my computer will help me sleep easy and in the event on my computer fully dying, I won’t have to worry as much about the data I have lost. Also if my music drive dies, I have a backup which will contain most, if not all of my music and recovering my library in the event of a failure won’t be that painful. Using iTunes to backup my music was simple, I love how it just does it. I wish backing up what I want with Windows was as simple as that, without requiring third-party software.

Two days ago when I was trying to burn a CD in Ashampoo Burning Studio, it said “No compatible CD recorder found.” I went into Computer and saw that my DVD Drive was not listed there with my other drives. Then when I thought about it for a second, I remembered thinking a week ago that it looks odd and something looks missing. Well just then it hit me what was missing, my DVD Drive.

I looked to see if it was in Device Manager and it wasn’t listed there so I went and had a quick look around the internet. After seeing a few possible things I can try, and getting some advice, I decided to do a little troubleshooting to see what was going on. Was it my operating system not detecting the drive, was it the BIOS, or did the drive crap out. I went into the BIOS to see if it was disabled but it wasn’t, then I tried to boot an Ubuntu LiveCD. No luck there either. It seems to be a hardware problem.

Now it was time to figure out if it could have been a loose connection somewhere, my computer failing, or the drive dead. After a bit of thinking, I decided to take the drive out, check it and put it back. I did that, no change. I then later on thought that maybe I can put my sisters drive in my computer and that will tell me if its the drive, or something deeper. After swapping the drives and powering up my system, my computer detected the drive and started adding drivers for it. My computer was fine.

So the problem lies in the DVD Drive, its broken. I suppose its better there something being wrong with the drive than something having a deeper problem. It was a relief figuring out what the issue was. Now I have to figure out whether to replace my drive or not. If I do, it is going to be an internal one, which will lay me back about $150 New Zealand for a slimline DVD Writer. For how much I do use the thing, I don’t think replacing it, or even buying an external drive is worth it.

I only use the drive for ripping CDs and burning files for friends to DVDs. And even that is rare. The only time other than that is when installing software, but that usually only happens if its a new Operating System install. I don’t think its worth my paying to get something that will be hardly used and just for those purposes. I am probably better off keeping my money and putting it towards a new system, or just getting something else. If I do even need to reinstall Windows, or any other OS, I could always borrow my sisters drive for a few hours.