Backups can save time and headaches

Computers are our perpetual work in progress. We constantly accessorize it to fit our purposes and personalities. We also share in the one universal computer fear. That fear is that one day we will hit a key and lose all of the time, effort, and more importantly information invested in our system. This fear is grounded in the belief that we will have to start from scratch to regain the performance level that we once had. Well, this need not be the case.

By simply scheduling regular backups you can be prepared for any untimely data lost. The first backup that you run should always be a full backup. With a full backup, you will have an exact copy of the way your computer was set at the time of the backup. Other backups can then be incremental backups. These backups update and copy those things that have changed on your system. I would suggest that you run a full backup once a month and an incremental backup two weeks after the full backup. Windows based systems have backup utilities included with the operating system. They can be found by going to the start menu and doing a find file search for backup or by going to system tools by way of the program accessories in the start menu. Either way, you will find a user-friendly wizard that will walk you through the process in a few steps. If you don’t have a backup utility on your system you can easily buy one from most software or office supply stores. If you find backing up your system confusing or difficult, there are companies that can restore your data for you but they can be quite expensive.

There are ounces of prevention that you can undertake to help you avoid the pounds of pain that system crashes and data loss can bring. Having a back up schedule in place is your first line of prevention. You should also use anti-virus software to reduce the chances of data loss due to a computer virus. Investing in a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply will help you if you lack the time to power down your system during a thunderstorm. Keeping your storage device away from dust and impact can also help prevent data loss. Whether you store your data on a hard drive or floppy disk, the media that you choose should be kept away from strong magnetic fields. Also, if you use a magnetic media to backup your system, store the media in a place that is about room temperature. If the media is consistently subjected to extreme heat it can begin to show signs of thermal decay. This is when bits of information are lost because the media begins to lose its’ magnetization due to the heat. So to be foretold is to be forewarned. Good luck and may the data be with you.