help with old'/new computer

[Grasshopper]

I've got a 1.5 year old Dell that has crashed twice since we purchased it. After 3 hours on the phone with Dell, we still cannot retrieve the files. First... any suggestions about who/where to go to see if we can salvage what was on our hard drive?

I have most of the stuff backed up, but ironically, I had bought a bunch of new DVDs to use as 2nd backups just yesterday... was going to burn them this week.

I also have a couple's engagement photos from a shoot on there that I had not backed up yet

Second, what computer/brand would you recommend this time around? I am a photographer and need something that has lots of space, can handle several programs running at the same time (PS3, PTGui, etc). The current piece of crap was custom built for photography... but that isn't working out so well.

At this point, I think I'd like to get a lap top of some sort so I can take it with me.

I know a lot about photography programs, but admittedly, I am not knowledgeable about computer operating systems. I don't want to get taken by a salesman, so I'm asking for help from my fellow Horns.

Help! (I need to have this taken care of within 3 or 4 weeks!).

Frustrated and most appreciative,

Grasshopper

 

[mia1994]

If the problem is the drive itself and not the motherboard... then I'd recommend Spinrite It takes a while, but it works well.

If the problem ISN'T the drive, you should be able to pop it out and slave it to another machine to get the data. It is an incredibly simple process, but if you intimidate easily, then I'd probably take it to a local repair shop. They could hook you up pretty quickly.

 

[mia1994]

any luck?

 

[Xminus6]

not to be that guy, but have you considered buying a mac? i have cs3, and ptgui on my mac and they work fine. plus, the color management is better and honestly most creative pros use macs anyway.

you need to get a good backup system going that's real-time if you're going to be charging people for event photography. if my wedding photogs had lost my files i would consider that unacceptable. buy an external drive and use time machine for hourly backups of all your files on a new mac.

 

[halsteadfrost]

First of all places like Best Buy and Fry's can try and recover stuff. If they are unable to I've used a company here in Austin called Flashback Data. I've never gotten back a HD fully, so don't expect too much, but those are some options. Also on the pictures, if you haven't taken a ton of new pictures on the card fashback data might be able to recover pictures off that as well.

As for a computer I also suggest looking into a Mac.