So I back up all my Poser runtimes & Vue content folders onto my external 1tb drive, copy all the custom settings etc, and make sure I've downloaded all the latest software updates & hardware drivers.
I then assemble all the parts I bought online into a brand spanking new computer, install windows then copy over everything I need from the external drive. In short order the new comp is up and running at full steam. After a few full size renders prove the new rig can handle anything I throw at it I turn to the next task of revamping the former rendering rig, an Athlon X2 box, to replace my ancient Athlon XP based system as internet machine & render node.
All goes swimmingly, back up the XP box then reinstall windows etc on the X2, keep the XP intact until I'm sure the X2 is fine.

Then time to upgrade my brothers computer, it's in a bit of a state and in need of a reinstall, plus little bro wants a better looking case.
He settles on a rather tasteless black and chrome jobbie with backlit LED readouts on the front and a clear panel in the side.
I gut both his computer & my now redundant XP box and transplant the innards into the new case.

Shortly after getting this new Frankensteined box up and running I realise that I somehow managed to not backup my downloaded images folder from the now stripped-to-a-skeleton XP based system *facepalm*
"Not to worry" thinks I "for I am a clever sod who long ago purchased an external hot swappable HD enclosure"
Smugger than an Italian politician I connect the HD, which had been working perfectly well less than 48 hours earlier, into the enclosure, hook it up to the X2 system and switch it on.

whirrrrrrr click click click












Two years worth of painstakingly aquired, carefully handpicked fetish 'reference images' .... just gone.
Words fail me ........ my right hand is officially in a state of mourning.