5 Steps to Easier Backups

Backing up the data on your hard drive is basically an insurance policy against a computer crash or other calamity that would prevent you from retrieving your files or even using your PC. So before it's too late, either back up or shut up-you will have no right to complain about data loss if you didn't make a copy of your files.

TIP #1
Mirror, Mirror on the PC
A mirror copy of your hard drive is literally a mirror image of your entire drive on a second (internal or external) hard drive. While having that spare image is convenient if your first drive crashes, there is one downside. Because it is an exact duplicate of your primary hard drive, everything gets copied-even malware or a virus.
 
The best time to create a mirror image is right after you've loaded your computer with your applications, either after its initial use or directly after a reinstallation. That way, you have a clean copy of Windows with your configuration and your frequently used programs, configured the way you want. But it is never too late to make a drive image for safekeeping. You will need an extra hard drive (or numerous DVD-ROM discs) and mirroring software. Among the best mirroring packages is the $50 Acronis True Image 10 Home (www.acronis.com), which is simple to use and can be customized to fit your requirements.

 

TIP #2
Partitioning: Keeping Data in a Safe Place
Save a document and no doubt it will land in the default My Documents folder. Although it separates pictures, music, and other files into separate subfolders, My Documents still resides in the Windows boot partitions, probably the most vulnerable spot on your hard drive. Creating separate partitions compartmentalizes your drive in a safer, more orderly manner. Each new partition will create a new drive letter. (Leave the C drive for your operating system.) Partition software, such as Symantec's $70 Norton PartitionMagic 8.0 or Acronis' $50 Disk Director Suite 10.0, makes it easy to add new partitions devoted to applications, business and financial documents, and multimedia files.

 

TIP #3
Use What You Have: Windows XP Backup and Restore
Got Windows trouble? Yeah, who doesn't. Probably the quickest way to get going again is with Windows' built-in System Restore (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore). This applet returns Windows to any "restore" point before trouble began on your system. Restore points are created automatically each time you shut Windows down. You can also manually create a restore point, say, right before you install a new program-a good habit to get into. That way if your PC locks or misbehaves after an installation, you can revert to the system image before the install.

 

TIP #4
Media Mogul: The Right Backup Media for the Job
You'll want multiple copies of your data to store off your PC and even off-site, so if one copy of a file later proves unreadable, you have another copy somewhere else. And if you lose your PC in a fire or other disaster, your data will be able to be transferred to a replacement PC. You have an array of backup media to choose from. If your data takes up less than 5GB of space, then USB drives are the thriftiest, most convenient storage method. Larger-capacity options include recordable DVDs, external USB or FireWire hard drives, and online backup storage from Xdrive (www.xdrive.com), Carbonite (www.carbonite.com ), and Mozy (www.mozy.com).