New Year's Resolution: Back Up and Never Lose Data

Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:26AM EST

See Comments (73)

People, it's nearly resolution time, so why not resolve to do something completely painless that will do wonders for your peace of mind: Back up your data!

But it's too complicated, you say?

Baloney, I say. It's easy to back up data, and it needn't cost much, if anything. Here's some suggestions on how to do it.

  • Go Online - This is by far the easiest way to do your backups. I've written about Mozy a couple of times, and I use it to store my data. It backs up files in real time, so I'm never at risk of losing more than about 30 minutes of work.
  • Use an External Hard Drive - Simply purchase a large external USB drive (250GB will run you $100 to $280, depending on brand name) and install backup software like Cobian (free). It'll back up your hard drive every night automatically. It's probably overkill at 250GB, mind you, since you don't need to back up Windows and application files that you have on CD. My entire backup set, with music, pictures, and movies, is less than 40GB. Without music it's less than 7GB. Here's a direct link to Cobian, folks.
  • Sync It Up - Got a second PC at home that isn't being used? Set up sync software (try GoodSync) to make a mirror image of your data on the other PC. If you aren't networked, the Data Drive Thru Tornado makes copying files from one PC to another painless.
  • Go Optical Once in a While - Every few months I back up to optical disc for storage offsite or in a fire safe. A dual-layer DVD can hold more than 8GB of data.

When you make your backups, be sure to get all the important files and folders. The My Documents folder is obvious, but don't forget your e-mail, browser bookmarks, and data files that aren't kept in My Documents where they should be. If you use Outlook, you'll need to use a backup program that can access it in real time or export the data periodically (instructions here).

Remember, a multitude of backup strategies works best. I keep data synced to two or three PCs (depending on what it is), a copy of all my music on an iPod and another external drive, a real-time online backup, and the occasional optical drive backup. Is that overkill? Maybe not, but when I have a hard drive crash, I barely complain...I'm back up and running before the end of the day.

What are you waiting for?

UPDATE: Several readers have asked for info on how to back up their email. I've written on these topics several times before. Here are instructions for backing up from Outlook and backing up from Outlook Express.

Comments on New Year's Resolution: Back Up and Never Lose Data

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  • 46 Posted by james_edwards@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    For Back up, I recommend two programs, one two back up my actual files to an external hard drive and one to create an image of my hard drive on both an external hard drive as well as CD so that I can restore it on another one should anything happen to my computer's hard drive. 1. For file back-up, I use the free Cobian Backup software. You can set it up to back up at different intervals and it works great and it's free. I encourage donations to its developer to keep it going. 2. For imaging my hard drive to allow for an easy restore to a new hard drive, I use Image for Windows by Terabyte Unlimited: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/imagew.html It is a great, easy to use program and it gives me comfort knowing that I can easily restore my system from a disk and/or external hard drive.

  • 47 Posted by johnnie99403 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Free online backups? You get what you pay for - if you want to bet your business or your data on free online backups - go for it. But, do you think "they" spend time and resources to make sure your (online) data is backed up at their site properly, when you are not paying?

  • 48 Posted by ab1go2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's quite informative. I would like to add it's a good idea to test the back up data once a while. This gives you assurance that all elements (hardware & software) of the back up process function properly. For testing purposes, I restore the back up data on another computer.

  • 49 Posted by spedtchr1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    This article is very interesting. I am thinking of in sync backup especially if I can get it done automatically. (I am a fliberty jiget and tend to be forgetful.)I will research this. Thanks for the info

  • 50 Posted by garrett5774 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Do like me, just burn your stuff on CD's. To me its an easier way and simple aswell. I mostly burn my video and sound drivers and other drivers on CD's and I burn photos and other things that I store in the 'my documents' folder. When I'm finsih burning stuff on CD's, I just store it on a shelf somewhere in my room.

  • 51 Posted by ejmcclary on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Anyone realize that X-Drive gives 5 gigs of free storage just like mozy, only more. Not 5 gigs for 10 bucks, that info is old.

  • 52 Posted by pondo_stein on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Netgear has a very good storage system, called SC101 "Storage Central". This allows network storage to appear as a letter drive and you can place any kind of 3.5" hard drive in the device for storage, and that helps for scaleability. here are the specs: http://www.netgear.com/Products/Storage/NetworkStorage/SC101.aspx

  • 54 Posted by barb_k_m on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I use FAT32. This way I can plug the drive in as a slave and copy the whole drive to another drive... I use FAT32 cause NTFS security prevents me from doing this... No third party software needed... I don't work with files over 4G and I don't need all the security that NTFS offers,, Matter a fact I turn off and remove all the B. Gates protect me from myself software not needed..

  • 55 Posted by etienneobrien on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Please could you provide the link on how to back up Outlook files. The on the article, as I read it, does not work. Thank you. Etienne

  • 56 Posted by hendricks_t on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    www.undergroundbackups.com A climate controlled facility built 85 feet under the ground - virtually disaster proof! Great Rates and customer service! I've had a great experience here!

  • 57 Posted by barb_k_m on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    cont post 55 When you burn stuff to CD/DVD use the same setup that you use to make a bootable Windows installation disc,,, under the part where you would normally Add The Files To Be Copied for the installation disc.. put your files,,, Example,,,, http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd_nero.htm MY motto is I trust no media,,,,,,,,,,,

  • 58 Posted by rockiesmike on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought my a laptop this summer from a major supplier and they wouldn't provide the OS CDs. So my back needs to include the full OS and I'm not sure what to fully backup and where it is. If I use an external USB drive for backup am I forced to mirror the internal drive to capture the OS or is it all under the windows directory? My backup drive is bigger than my internal so maybe no problem. I have heard that Windows will only recognize the orginal hard drive for updates so what happens on replacing the drive and optaining updates and suppport?

  • 59 Posted by rockiesmike on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    An body have any experiences using usings Windows Live OneCare's backup?

  • 60 Posted by rockout4j on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wish you had told me this earlier, EVERYTHING on my computer was erased somehow the other day... I'll do this from now on, thanks.

  • 61 Posted by garmonita on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd love to use Mozy, but I have a Mac. Anyone know of online backup services for Macs?

  • 62 Posted by domin0ze on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Also, know that if you have an iPod, you can put it in disk mode, hook it up to your computer with a usb/firewire cable, and backup your data by dragging it to the iPod in My Computer (PC) or the Mac equivalent. unless you have videos or massive amounts of pictures on your computer and youre only backing up documents or any other miscellaneous small or midsized files, there should be no shortage of room on your ipod. the ipod shuffle and second generation ipod nano both use flash memory, but all other ipod types use a microharddrive to store data. You won't lose any music, settings, or album art if you do this - in fact, its just like what the iTunes software does when you add music to your iPod's library. i find it much cheaper than buying a massive external drive and much safer than relying on an Internet-based backup system, whose servers could crash, lose power, or be infected by a virus that would in turn infect your files.

  • 63 Posted by iiicandlesiii on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a built in cd burner. I just back up to a new cd. Its easy.

  • 64 Posted by colorado_outbacker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm really surprised at reading all of the previous posts that more people did not talk about the Network Area Storage (NAS) products more. Products like the HP Media Vault that allow you to back-up several machines on a schedule to a network location to protect all of your PCs. It also allows you to use a PC Recovery CD to restore a PC from the backup in case a drive should fail in the PC. Plus you can set it up as a Mirror so if a hard-drive inside it fails you have a the ability to have a backup of your backup. You can even set up a mirror and then remove the 2nd hard-drive and keep it in an off-site location for the ultimate protection. Businesses have been using NAS products for years and with people having so many digital memories like photos, videos, etc of their families and kids NAS is the way to go!

  • 65 Posted by napapen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I clicked on the instructions here to see how to back up email files and nothing comes up. Could you clarify that. I am already using an external harddrive for backup. Thank you Napapen

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