So, a couple of weeks ago the hard drive on my laptop failed.

I have to admit, that by hardware failure standards, it was the most polite one I’ve ever encountered: my laptop’s diagnostic app let me know that the C drive was failing, and was going to tank any day now.

I know, right?

That gave me the time to update my backups and make sure I had any files I wanted stashed away on other hard drives.

And ironically, it also gave me time to order its own replacement from Amazon.ca.

Speaking of Amazon, this thing, a Startech.Com USB2SATAIDE Usb 2.0 to Sata Ide Adapter is a recovery tool that allows you to convert an internal hard drive to USB2.0, allowing you to recover files from a semi-dead hard drive.

It’s well worth the $20 to have on hand, if you don’t already have one.

My point (and I did have one) is that while rooting around in my office closet for system recovery discs I stumbled upon a box of install CDs and DVDs (no floppies though, I’m not that much of a packrat!) for hardware and peripherals I don’t even own anymore.

In no particular order the peripherals they came with include DVD burners I no longer have (do people still burn DVDs?), various motherboards and cable modems, a couple of different Logitech peripherals like mice, a 19-inch LCD monitor that fried years ago, and system repair backup discs going all the way back to Windows 95.

So, my question to you, fellow AVIT nerds, what kind of install discs are lurking at the back of your gear closet, and in what format?