Post by misty on Oct 17, 2007 19:07:40 GMT -5
You have backed up your data – right? RIGHT?! If you have, then life will be simple. If not, well you are in for some serious teeth gnashing and a data recovery bill of several hundred dollars.
Both of the major operating systems (Windows and Mac OS) have utilities available for backing up your systems.
However, these utilities are not always easy to use even if you do remember to use them. Additionally, there are great online services that will automatically back-up your system to a secure storage location on the Internet for a small monthly fee.
But, let’s keep it basic and simple! There are only five easy steps to peace of mind.
1. Pop a CD into your CD drive.
2. Drag the files and photos you want to save to the folder for the CD drive.
3. Click “burn” (which means copy from your computer to the CD).
4. Pop the CD out.
5. Take a Sharpie Marker and write “Back-up File for October 2007” on the disk (of course the month and year should match when the back-up was made).
“One more equally important step”
Now that you have a back-up CD it is important to put it in a safe place. By “safe place” I mean somewhere completely separate from the computer it is backing up.
Take the CD to work and put it in your desk drawer or give it to a neighbor or put it in the lock box with your documents. Most important, put it somewhere that it will be safe if your computer gets wet, has an electrical shock, is stolen, is hit by fire, crashes, etc.
Whether you are motivated by common sense, fear or cost ($0.23 for a blank CD at Amazon versus $364.00 for professional disk recovery) it is important to protect your valuable data!
Both of the major operating systems (Windows and Mac OS) have utilities available for backing up your systems.
However, these utilities are not always easy to use even if you do remember to use them. Additionally, there are great online services that will automatically back-up your system to a secure storage location on the Internet for a small monthly fee.
But, let’s keep it basic and simple! There are only five easy steps to peace of mind.
1. Pop a CD into your CD drive.
2. Drag the files and photos you want to save to the folder for the CD drive.
3. Click “burn” (which means copy from your computer to the CD).
4. Pop the CD out.
5. Take a Sharpie Marker and write “Back-up File for October 2007” on the disk (of course the month and year should match when the back-up was made).
“One more equally important step”
Now that you have a back-up CD it is important to put it in a safe place. By “safe place” I mean somewhere completely separate from the computer it is backing up.
Take the CD to work and put it in your desk drawer or give it to a neighbor or put it in the lock box with your documents. Most important, put it somewhere that it will be safe if your computer gets wet, has an electrical shock, is stolen, is hit by fire, crashes, etc.
Whether you are motivated by common sense, fear or cost ($0.23 for a blank CD at Amazon versus $364.00 for professional disk recovery) it is important to protect your valuable data!
