Backing up your Computer

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.