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Backing Up Your Data

Backing up your computer data can seem like a chore, but imagine what it will be like if all your data is gone and you have to start all over again. There are many ways of backing up your data and just as many types of media to use as well. This article covers the basic steps needed to backup your data easily and quickly.

  1. Keep Files in One Folder
    Try to keep all your files and documents in one folder. This will make things much easier when the time comes to back up. Some programs do not save data to "My Documents". You may need to copy that information to the same folder you use for everything else. Keeping your information organized should be one of your first priorities.
  2. What do I Backup?
    Just about anything your media will allow you to store. This means you can make copies of all your personal data, such as documents, image and media files, email, financial data, saved games, and anything else that may be important. Try to avoid having to back up the entire operating system unless you have the media that will support this type of backup.
  3. Types of Backup Media
    There are many types of backup media. You can use tape drives, CD-R and CD-RW, hard drives, and older types of media like Iomega's Zip, or Imation's Superdisk. Be sure to choose the right one based on how much information you would like to save.
  4. Types of Backup Methods
    There are different types of programs to image your entire hard drive, PowerQuest's Drive Image, Norton's Ghost, Dantz's Retrospect; but this type of backup is only successful if you have a second hard drive.
  5. Where Are My Data Files Kept?
    Your data files are kept in many places but here are a few locations to look for your information.
    1. Email: Locations may vary. Microsoft Outlook Express saves its' files in a file with an extension .dbx. Outlook saves its' files in a file with an extension .pst. Netscape saves your files in 'C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\your name\Mail'.
    2. Your Internet Bookmarks and Favorites: Netscape saves its' bookmarks in 'C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\your name\bookmark.htm'. Internet Explorer stores them as individual files in the C:\Windows\Favorites or C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Favorites directory.
    3. Other programs: You may need to do some research on where files are saved. One good way to do this is to open up the program in question, create a temporary file and when you save the file do a 'Save as', this will prompt you to where the default location of where the program saves its' files.
  6. How Often Should I Perform a Backup?
    In general, it's best to schedule your backup on a consistent and regular basis. Depending on how much information you add or change to your system will help you determine if this should be on a monthly, weekly or even a daily schedule. Most backup software programs allow for automatic scheduling.