On Wed, 2023-07-12 at 22:49 -0400, Carl Fink wrote: > On 7/12/23 22:23, Default User wrote: > > Now you tell me . . . > > > > In February, I transferred an existing Debian 11 setup to a new 64- > > bit > > x86 computer with an nvme ssd. I have a 1 Gb swap partition. > > > > What do to avoid wearing the ssd out? > > > > Very important these days, since you can't just open up a computer > > and > > swap out the ssd. Now, a worn out ssd, or any other part really, > > means > > a whole new computer. So much for reducing waste . . . > > Really? I have never owned a computer where I couldn't replace the > SSD. > > -Carl Fink >
Hi, Carl! With "desktop" computers, replacing parts is usually no problem. Just open the case, swap the part(s), close the case, done. But . . . If you have a laptop manufactured in recent years, it can be a nightmare. My experience: Until recently, I had a laptop which served me well, made in 2014. Easily serviceable. It had several access panels on the bottom. Just unscrew a panel (one screw each), and I could quickly replace: - ram modules - wireless adapter - mass storage device (in my case, SSD) It even had a replaceable battery. Just snap out, snap in. No tooles needed. A few months ago, it started "acting up" (I'll spare you the details). I needed a new computer right away, so I got the closest newer model to the old one that the manufacturer makes. It works, but . . . It has no access panels at all. And not even a (user) replaceable battery! It is completely sealed up. The only way to replace any any parts is by using special tools. And having the skills to use them. And good luck getting a repair manual to show you how to do it. Unfortunately, this was no surprise. These days, laptop computers at least, are deliberately designed to be disposable commodities, very difficult to work on. I can't remember the last time I saw a laptop that was user repairable. Note: as an experiment, I tried to see if I could disassemble and re- assemble the old laptop. I did disassemble it, but because it was deliberately designed to be extremely non-intuitive to assemble or disasssemble, I managed to break a plastic strut that supports the screen hinge. Of course, I did not have a repair manual or other documentation to guide me through the process. Or the special tools required. I disassembled the laptop completely, down to every last part, every last screw. So completely, that it will probably never be put back together. By now, I have lost interest in trying to do so. INB4: "Well, if you have a laptop that need repair, take it to a repair shop". 1) I can't wait days (or longer) for a shop to fool around with it, the MAYBE fix it "correctly". And expensive. I know from experience. 2) "Well, sent it to the manufacturer for repair." Same problem, wait weeks (or longer). And probably more expensive. (These days, businesses DELIBERATELY price repairs so that they are not cost- effective. They want you to buy new products, for more profit.) "You can pay more, but you can't pay less!" 3) Either way, "Sorry, parts for that are no longer available. No, we couldn't fix it. Yes, you have to pay anyway." 4) Either way, do you really want some stranger leisurely pawing through your hard drive or SSD, that you have spent months or years getting set up the just way you want/need it? "Oh, sorry - we lost your data. And your programs. And your configuration settings. And your operating system. Well, we can sell you a new copy of Windows, for the low, low price of . . . Oh, yes - installation will cost extra. GNU/Linux - what's that? BSD? Never heard of it." Bonus INB4: "You do have current, tested backups, don't you?" 5) "Well, get a desktop computer instead." Large "footprint". Not portable. Can't easily take it on trips, or even to another room. And if you have to evacuate in a hurry (fire, flood, hurricane, etc.), with a laptop, grab and go. With a desktop, not so easy. So, glad that you have have a computer where you can replace the SSD. Hope it stays that way! : )
