StormBringer
Posts: 2,218 +0
With the recent epidemic of failing hard disks, I thought it might be a good idea to make a thread with basics of backing up data. It seems that lately HDDs just don't last very long, many not making it more than a few months before dying and taking out all your data with it. While you can usually RMA the drive, or have it replaced undert a service contract if you have a prebuilt or a portable system, you can't get those precious files back that were on the drive, and data recovery is not an option for many users. Data recovery is very expensive and is not a guarantee that you'll get the files back you needed(if any)
There are several methods of backing up your files and many utilities that can help you do this, as well as WinXP Pro having a backup wizard that can assist you, so I won't go into specific apps, rather I will concentrate more on what you need to include.
The basics are pretty logical, personal files, your document files, music, videos, images, etc... but youy will also want to include your Bookmarks, your address book, contact lists, and any settings that can be exported to a file. It would also be a good idea to create a txt file with any special settings or workarounds you've had to make in order to compensate for conflicts.
I mentioned earlier that there are many utilities designed to assist you with htis, but all you really need is a CD burner, burner software, blank CDs, and of course the files you want to make copies of.
Personally, I keep a disc with all my settings and contacts on it, as well as lists of all tweaks and hacks I've used on the system. I keep other discs according to the types of files and/or the subject matter of the files.
A backup utility will usually just make copies of the directories you specify, as well as the exported files such as bookmarks and contacts.
If you choose to turn your nose up at the suggestion of backing up your files, just remember that you are the only one to blame for losing your data next time you have a drive die. I laugh at clients on a daily basis when they ask what I'm going to do about the data they lost, while explaining that DATA is not covered by a warranty, and I'll laugh at you as well.
Any additional info or resources pertaining to backups is more than welcomed
There are several methods of backing up your files and many utilities that can help you do this, as well as WinXP Pro having a backup wizard that can assist you, so I won't go into specific apps, rather I will concentrate more on what you need to include.
The basics are pretty logical, personal files, your document files, music, videos, images, etc... but youy will also want to include your Bookmarks, your address book, contact lists, and any settings that can be exported to a file. It would also be a good idea to create a txt file with any special settings or workarounds you've had to make in order to compensate for conflicts.
I mentioned earlier that there are many utilities designed to assist you with htis, but all you really need is a CD burner, burner software, blank CDs, and of course the files you want to make copies of.
Personally, I keep a disc with all my settings and contacts on it, as well as lists of all tweaks and hacks I've used on the system. I keep other discs according to the types of files and/or the subject matter of the files.
A backup utility will usually just make copies of the directories you specify, as well as the exported files such as bookmarks and contacts.
If you choose to turn your nose up at the suggestion of backing up your files, just remember that you are the only one to blame for losing your data next time you have a drive die. I laugh at clients on a daily basis when they ask what I'm going to do about the data they lost, while explaining that DATA is not covered by a warranty, and I'll laugh at you as well.
Any additional info or resources pertaining to backups is more than welcomed