Backup hard drive 101
Eight things you need to remember before you format your hard drive or
re-install your operating system.
So you have that backup hard drive feeling, uh? Well,
here are some tips... important things to know before you zap that
drive.
Backup hard drive tip #1
- No need to backup program installations
There is no need to backup your Program Files folder. In
many cases, when you restore the files they will not work anyway. Why?
A particular program (e.g. let's say you use Quicken to
manage your finances) will store different files and settings in several
places.
Some files that run the program might be in the Windows
system folder, some settings will be stored in the Registry, and so on.
Unless you use a utility that tracks all the parts and
pieces, and that can restore all such parts and pieces later on, it makes
no sense to backup your program files folder. You can use the installation
disks to re-install the software.
Backup hard drive tip #2
- Passwords, Usernames or User IDs
Imagine reinstalling Windows and then remembering you do
not have your username and/or your password to connect back to your
Internet Service Provider (ISP).
That would be terrible, although a call to your ISP
should get you back on track. But you could avoid the hassle if you just
write down all your usernames and passwords in a secure place.
Some people let Windows remember their passwords so they
have instant access to web services.
I never usually encourage this practice, unless you are
sure no one else will be using your computer (or your account). Definitely
don't do this on a public computer!
Remember to record your passwords for your email,
banking, and any other web services that may be stored in Windows for easy
access. They won't be there after you
format your
hard drive.
Backup hard drive tip #3
- Backup your documents folder
Your documents folder would normally contain your word
(processing) documents, Excel spreadsheets, your pictures (in My Pictures
sub-folder), and so on...
In other words, your documents folder should have all the
files that you created or put on your computer.
Backup hard drive tip #4
- Backup your financial information
If you stored any of your financial information in any
folder other than the My Documents folder you may need to do this. Some
programs make backups of your data and store that backup elsewhere. You
should check each program file creation/storage information to know
exactly where those files are.
Tax return information, Quicken files, etc. are what come
to mind now.
Backup hard drive tip #5
- Do you value your cookies?
Cookies are used for tracking and for personalizing your
services at sites you visit. If you consider your settings at your
favorite sites important then you may need to preserve the cookies set by
those sites.
Cookies could also store logon information to services
you have subscribed. At least, you should have your username and passwords
written down.
Backup hard drive tip #6
- Backup your bookmarks (favorites).
If you do not backup the bookmarks in your browser, they
won't be there when you reinstall your browser.
To quickly go to your favorite sites, you would have to
re-create all those bookmarks again. Oh no, I would hate that!
So do what I do - navigate to your favorites folder (My
Computer--Documents and Settings--[user folder, e.g. your username, if it
is a networked or multi-user setup]--My Favorites.
Just copy the My Favorites folder onto a floppy of other
backup media. You can copy all the links to your new favorites folder when
you setup your new operating system or browser.
Backup hard drive tip #7
- Backup important downloads
What about programs you may have bought by download and
never kept a hard copy of? Can you find them? Do you have the passwords
and or service ID's to access them?
You might have utilities and drivers that took you
several minutes to hours to download (depending on your connection speed).
You should definitely backup those if you will be reinstalling the the
same operating system.
For example, I use programs and utilities like Winzip,
ad-aware, and the Google toolbar. I do not want to have to download those
files again when I reinstall Windows.
Backup hard drive tip #8
- Email Messages and Contacts in you Address
Book
What about your email messages and your address book (or
contacts)? It would be a big and embarrassing regret if you found you
formatted your hard drive without ensuring you can get back to your
email messages and contact list.
Boy, would you have to learn to walk again!
If you use Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Express, your
messages are stored in files with extension ".dbx". You will need
to find these email files and save them on
a CD-R, a ZIP drive, USB drive, or some other disk (other than the one
you're going to format).
Recommendation
Note: If you have done a backup **and** recovery
of your computer before, you know it can be tricky. In one case, my backup
would not work because I changed operating system. It hurt.
If you have this or similar concern, it is better to use
a reputable and easy-to-use backup and recovery system. If you go to the
WinTasks website - WinBackup, you'll find one of the best system
backup and restore options available.
Backing up your hard drive can be an automatic thing with
WinBackup. Just tell it what to backup and when. Make sure your system
is on, and forget it. Easy.
|
Backup Made Easy
|
|
|
WinBackup 2.0 Standard
Performance Made Easy
Now, you can get a
faster, cleaner and safer PC within minutes - without being a Windows
expert! SpeedUpMyPC automatically finds the best settings for your
system resources to give you the best performance. Easy to use, this
award-winning utility has all the features you could ever need to
clean up your system, monitor resources, and improve performance.
|
Special Offer:
Get WinBackup 2.0 Standard + WinTasks 5 Professional +
SpeedUpMyPC as a bundle for only $89.95 and save $70 -
Click Here to Learn More...
|
|
Please join the mailing list and
get more up-to-date internet computer checkup
tips and free professional advice that help you keep your
computer running in top shape.
|
|
