Backup
Backing up your computer is an
important thing to do if you want to keep your files. Computers can malfunction
for a variety of reasons, including viruses, hardware malfunction, theft, and
home disasters. You never know when one of these will strike, so you should
back up your information on a regular basis. (This is also useful when
transferring to a new computer.)
Computer users have a range of
backup options to choose from.
1) Online storage. Storing
your information online is one of the easiest ways to backup your information.
With the push of a few buttons, the program copies your data and stores it in
an online database.
Pros:
1.
Ease of use.
2.
Access your documents from any computer that has an
Internet connection.
3.
No possibility of physical theft on your end or
destruction in flood or fire.
4.
Some have automatic backup schedules.
5.
Share certain files with other people.
6. Automatic
file restoration process.
Cons:
1.
Yearly fee for service.
2.
Slight possibility of ambitious hackers gaining access
to your private files. Although a good company should have safe-guards to
prevent this.
2) Offline storage programs. Purchasing
a program that will back up your data is convenient, but you have to provide
the storage medium. (CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, flash drive, floppy
disks, etc.)
Pros:
1.
One-time fee when purchased. (Plus the cost of the
storage medium.)
2.
Ease of use.
3.
Automatic file restoration process.
Cons:
1.
Possibility of loss if theft, fire, or flood occurs.
2.
You provide the storage medium.
3.
All files may not fit on storage medium.
3) External hardware. External
hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash drives, and floppy disks can all be used to back
up data.
Pros:
1.
Cost is minimal—only need to purchase storage medium
and no additional software is needed.
Cons:
1.
You have to do all of the work with copying/pasting.
2.
All files may not fit on storage medium—two or more
devices may be needed.
3.
Possibility of loss if theft, fire, or flood occurs.
Note: Keep in
mind that these options only transfer your files and not your programs.
If you ever need to restore your computer to its former glory you will need to
reinstall the programs yourself. Make sure you keep your installation discs and
product keys! Many programs can only be installed on one PC. If you run into
problems when reinstalling a program you can always contact the manufacturer
for help.
Windows Backup Utility
Windows comes with a free backup
utility that will move your data to a storage device. This process can be
repeated as needed.
To start the back up process:
1.
Open My
Computer by double-clicking the My
Computer icon on your desktop.
2.
My Computer window will
open and then right-click on your C:
drive.
OR
1.
Click on Start
and click on My Computer in
your Start menu.
2.
The My
Computer window will open and then right-click on your C: drive.
3.
Select the Properties
option.
4.
Click on Backup
Now. The Backup or Restore Wizard window will open.
5.
Click Next to
continue.
The first
option allows you to backup files and settings.
6.
Click Next to
continue.
7.
You now have to choose what you want to back up. Click
Next to continue.
Note:
My
documents and settings – backs up a copy of your My Documents folder,
Internet Favorites, desktop settings, and current Internet cookies.
Everyone’s
documents and settings – backs up the same items listed above except for all
of the computer’s user accounts.
All
information on this computer – backs up a copy of all data
(documents & settings) for all users as well as the Windows operating
system files to be used if your system should crash at a later date. It will
not help if your hard drive dies.
Let me choose what to back up - allows you to choose which files you back up.
Choose a location to save your
backup to by clicking in the Browse button.
Note: When
choosing storage media for your backups keep in mind that a floppy disk
(1.44MB) will hold approximately 600 pages of text. It is recommended that if
you are backing up large amounts of data (i.e. pictures, movies, all data on
computer) to use an external hard drive or large flash drive. A CD (700MB) or
DVD (4.7GB) can also be used, but the data must be written to your
computer’s hard drive or an external hard drive first. Once completed, the
backup file can be burned to a CD or DVD. You cannot burn to a CD or DVD
with this utility. There are two types of CDs--a CD-R allows you to save
data to it one time whereas a CD-RW allows you to add, change, or delete data
as needed.
Once you have designated where you
want to save your backup click Next to
continue.
The final screen will display the
settings and storage media choice you made. Click Finish to execute the backup.
