Backup Your Data!
Backing Up needs to become a habit. Here are a few pointers, followed by a listing of some software that you can use to help you make the process less annoying. Some definitions are also included to help in understanding.
Your Simplest Backup
When you finish a session of work on important data (database, documents, posters, etc.) get out a "thumb"/usb drive, CD, DVD, and write a copy of that data to it. Don't move the material from the hard drive to the external media, unless you are required not to store your data on the hard drive. In that case, make a second copy of the material on a different physical usb drive, CD, or DVD. The objective here is to always have a second copy of your material.
A good practice is to have two copies in additional to your main data file. Name one disc A and one B. Alternate your backup to these two discs. This way even if one disc fails, you will have all but your most recent work available.
If you have to use the backup to restore your data. Make a new copy of your backup before you restore it to the hard drive. Remember, you need to always have 2 copies available.
Types of Backup (Some Definitions)
Continuous - This is not a formal term, but refers to the practice of always backing up your data by your effort or through "set-it-and-forget-it" software. If your computer has enough memory, you can set such software to backup specific folders. Once it has done it the first time, your options may include directing the software to backup your data each time you save the file, daily if there was activity, or at a time you specify. For more on the following, See "Backup types"
Full - - Back up a complete set of folders and file that you designate. Consider this - as related to the terms below - your primary or reference backup. Even if you choose to make the types of backups below, you will also need to make a Full Backup from time to time. Complete copy of what you have chosen to backup.
If you have to backup your computer following failure, you would first copy this Full Backup to your hard drive. Then you would use either of the following to methods that you have chosen to bring the data up to the point of the last time you backed up.
Incremental: This is quicker than a Full Backup, but it requires a Full Backup to first be made. For Incremental backups backup files and folders that have changed since any type of backup was made including Full and Differential.
Differential: This type of backup makes a copy of all folders and files that have changed since the last Full Backup. This must be done at regular intervals.
Available Software
Types of Backup Software
Continuous Backup - "set-it-and-forget-it" software that backups with minimal work for you. You set up the physical external hard drive or tape drive (changing tapes and/or drives as they fill up) and the software settings. The software keeps you backed up.
Imaging - This software makes an "image" of your entire hard drive or the portions of it you designate (i.e. folders and files). If you designate the whole hard drive, the software will even include the Operating System and its settings, all programs, the registry, etc. However, to do this, you will need to be "hands-on" choosing the options, waiting for the computer to shut down, inserting the Startup disc(s) that you prepared when installing this Imaging Software, and then following the steps of the wizard to direct your computer to copy itself to the external media (hard drive (quickest), CDs, DVDs, or tape). Though this is the most work, in the long run, it is the quickest way to recover from a disaster - once you have a stable hard drive, just put in the first of the discs on which the "image" is recorded. Follow the directions and the computer is restored to what it was before you had the disaster that crashed your computer.
This software is also great for helping you install a new and/or replacement hard drive. It uses the same imaging routine to directly copy everything off your old hard drive to your new one
Available Software
Norton Ghost (Imaging)
Norton Save and Restore(Continuous)
Acronis True Image (Imaging)
For additional options
Go to CNET.com > Downloads and type "hard drive imaging" in the search window.