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Back up a Computer
These days, more and more people are using computers to store memories, important documents, and various other bits of information that may need to be kept for long periods of time.
Backing up a computer is essential for keeping long term (or even short term) documents around.
Steps
Decide on the proper backup media for your needs. CD-R, DVD+-R, tape, hard drives (internal and external), online, and flash drives are all great choices, but the right tool for the job is always best. Do some research on the advantages of each, and choose the one which will best suit your needs .
Choose a back-up program. For personal computers, there are many options.
If you are using Microsoft Windows, there is a back-up program built in (Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Backup).
You can also use third party back-up managers, ranging from small programs to full online backup services. If you use a flavor of Linux, there are many open source options available in repositories for all of the major distributions.
Prepare your back-up device of choice. If you are using a hard drive, it's best to use it just for back-up purposes. Make sure whatever you are using is ready to accept the back-up.
Open your choice of programs, select the files you wish to keep, select the media where you will be saving the back-up, and start it up.
Tips
Keep your back-ups in a safe place away from environmental hazards. Depending on how important it is, fire safes and safety deposit boxes are great places to keep back-up media. If they are not very critical, filing cabinets or desks are fine places.
Make sure your back-up process completes successfully before using your computer again.
Backing up your computer can take a long time, especially if you have quite a bit of data you would like to keep. Plan the backup for a time that your computer will be on (or you purposefully leave it on), but a time that you will not be using the files.
Set a schedule to backup all of your important files. Depending on how often you use your computer and the files change, you can set it in most program to run however often you like. Just remember to have media ready and the computer on when it is time for backups.
Warnings
Do not use a computer while a back-up is in progress. If you change a file during the back-up operation, you will not know which version was actually saved, or you could halt or corrupt the back-up. It will also slow your computer down.
Do not leave your back-up media in an environment that has a tendency to get wet or is not climate controlled. Computer equipment is fairly sensitive, and there is a chance you will lose your back-ups.
Sources and Citations
Windows XP Backup Made Easy
Backing up a computer is essential for keeping long term (or even short term) documents around.
Steps
Decide on the proper backup media for your needs. CD-R, DVD+-R, tape, hard drives (internal and external), online, and flash drives are all great choices, but the right tool for the job is always best. Do some research on the advantages of each, and choose the one which will best suit your needs .
Choose a back-up program. For personal computers, there are many options.
If you are using Microsoft Windows, there is a back-up program built in (Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Backup).
You can also use third party back-up managers, ranging from small programs to full online backup services. If you use a flavor of Linux, there are many open source options available in repositories for all of the major distributions.
Prepare your back-up device of choice. If you are using a hard drive, it's best to use it just for back-up purposes. Make sure whatever you are using is ready to accept the back-up.
Open your choice of programs, select the files you wish to keep, select the media where you will be saving the back-up, and start it up.
Tips
Keep your back-ups in a safe place away from environmental hazards. Depending on how important it is, fire safes and safety deposit boxes are great places to keep back-up media. If they are not very critical, filing cabinets or desks are fine places.
Make sure your back-up process completes successfully before using your computer again.
Backing up your computer can take a long time, especially if you have quite a bit of data you would like to keep. Plan the backup for a time that your computer will be on (or you purposefully leave it on), but a time that you will not be using the files.
Set a schedule to backup all of your important files. Depending on how often you use your computer and the files change, you can set it in most program to run however often you like. Just remember to have media ready and the computer on when it is time for backups.
Warnings
Do not use a computer while a back-up is in progress. If you change a file during the back-up operation, you will not know which version was actually saved, or you could halt or corrupt the back-up. It will also slow your computer down.
Do not leave your back-up media in an environment that has a tendency to get wet or is not climate controlled. Computer equipment is fairly sensitive, and there is a chance you will lose your back-ups.
Sources and Citations
Windows XP Backup Made Easy
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