Backing up Your Computer Jamie Leben IT-Works Computer Services Copyright 2006

Introduction  Please hold questions to the end  What is a computer back up? –A copy of important computer files  Why back up? –Prevent the loss of important files –Save time, money…… and stress!

What to back up: Back up your entire hard drive if backup storage space is adequate Backup selected files: –C:\documents and settings Includes My Documents, Desktop, favorites, Outlook, Outlook Express for all users –Financial software files For Quicken / Quickbooks: C:\program files\intuit –Other local programs like Thunderbird (path varies) Any other locations you store important files

Back up media options Extra hard drive –Internal You’ll need to provide your own backup software –External USB Look for a drive with backup software included (Maxtor One-Touch)

Back up media options CD-R/RW or DVDR/RW –Lower capacity than a hard drive, potentially less expensive –Good for long term archives –Check your CD / DVD software for backup options Windows XP’s CD wizard will do

Back up media options Removable tape media –Most expensive option –Allows incremental backups –Ability to automate –Necessary to periodically check whether it’s running

Questions? Thank you! Call IT-Works for backup help – Demonstration next: