Computer Backup Fred Marshall Coastal Computers & Networks

Computer BackupComputer Backup

Fred MarshallFred Marshall

Coastal Computers & Coastal Computers & NetworksNetworks

““Back Up” and “Backup”Back Up” and “Backup”

• Back Up: verb Back Up: verb

e.g. “to back up”e.g. “to back up”

• Backup: nounBackup: noun

e.g. to create a “backup”e.g. to create a “backup”

Why Back Up Your Computer?Why Back Up Your Computer?

• To preserve your dataTo preserve your data

• To preserve your computer installationTo preserve your computer installation

• To protect your investment in timeTo protect your investment in time

• To make reconstruction easier or even To make reconstruction easier or even possible possible

Types of BackupTypes of Backup

• Data file backup - documents / picturesData file backup - documents / pictures

• System configuration backupSystem configuration backup

• Hard drive images Hard drive images

• On-line backup (automatic) e.g. Carbonite On-line backup (automatic) e.g. Carbonite

Backup StrategiesBackup Strategies

• On-site vs. off-site: what if there is fire or On-site vs. off-site: what if there is fire or theft?theft?

• Frequency: how often to go off site with Frequency: how often to go off site with backup data?backup data?

• Frequency: how often to back up? Frequency: how often to back up?

Everything is PreparationEverything is Preparation

• Backup prepares for disasterBackup prepares for disaster

• Backing up needs preparation too!Backing up needs preparation too!

• Prepare – Implement - Test Prepare – Implement - Test

Planning the MediaPlanning the Media

• What will be the backup medium:What will be the backup medium:Tape, DVD, another hard drive?Tape, DVD, another hard drive?

• Tape, DVD and portable hard drives are the best Tape, DVD and portable hard drives are the best candidates for off-site storage.candidates for off-site storage.

• Hard drives can be good for on-site storage.Hard drives can be good for on-site storage.

• On-line backup (e.g. Carbonite) is automatic and On-line backup (e.g. Carbonite) is automatic and convenient and off-site.convenient and off-site.

Preparing the DataPreparing the Data

• When you know the medium, you know the size When you know the medium, you know the size of the individual storage unitsof the individual storage units

- CD ~ 650MB- CD ~ 650MB

- DVD ~ 4.5GB- DVD ~ 4.5GB

- Tape … 20GB or greater- Tape … 20GB or greater

- Portable hard drive … up to 1.5TB- Portable hard drive … up to 1.5TB

• Keep the data:Keep the data:

- all in one place on your hard drive- all in one place on your hard drive

Preparing the DataPreparing the Data

• Keep the data all in one placeKeep the data all in one place• NOT in Windows directory / NOT in Program NOT in Windows directory / NOT in Program

Files directoriesFiles directories• Example for CD backup:Example for CD backup:

C:\DataC:\Data

\My Documents (moved to C:\)\My Documents (moved to C:\)

\Excel\Excel

\Word\Word

\Outlook Express\Outlook Express

\Pictures …… etc. \Pictures …… etc.


• Daily backup to a 2Daily backup to a 2ndnd hard drive hard drive

(Can run at night)(Can run at night)

• New backup for each day (becomes 5 or New backup for each day (becomes 5 or 7 weekly backups)7 weekly backups)Mon, Tues, Weds,Thurs,FriMon, Tues, Weds,Thurs,Fri

• Weekly backup to off-site mediaWeekly backup to off-site mediaFriday backup to CD, DVD or TapeFriday backup to CD, DVD or Tape

Data RestorationData Restoration

• Testing the “system” is important!Testing the “system” is important!

• Make a test file and save it.Make a test file and save it.

• Run a backupRun a backup

• Delete the test file from the computerDelete the test file from the computer

• Restore the test file from the backupsRestore the test file from the backups


• Full, Differential or Incremental????Full, Differential or Incremental????• Compressed or not?Compressed or not?

• Recommendation:Recommendation:• Remember you have to Restore!Remember you have to Restore!

• Full backup, not compressed Full backup, not compressed • Best if in recognizable format as the original Best if in recognizable format as the original

files – then any computer can read them!files – then any computer can read them!

• KEEP IT SIMPLEKEEP IT SIMPLE


• Why do you say: “Don’t Compress”?Why do you say: “Don’t Compress”?

Doesn’t that save space on the backup media?Doesn’t that save space on the backup media?

• Yes, it would save space.Yes, it would save space.• Remember, the compression was done by a Remember, the compression was done by a

program running on your computer.program running on your computer.• If the computer crashes, will you have that If the computer crashes, will you have that

program available to decompress the backup?program available to decompress the backup?• KEEP IT SIMPLEKEEP IT SIMPLE

Backup ToolsBackup Tools

• Manually Copy the files…. Whew!Manually Copy the files…. Whew!(native file format)(native file format)

• Built into Windows – add to XP HomeBuilt into Windows – add to XP Home

• No Hands Backup – download + $19.95No Hands Backup – download + $19.95(native file format)(native file format)

• Backup My PC – commercial programBackup My PC – commercial program(proprietary format)(proprietary format)

• Windows Scheduler for automatic backups.Windows Scheduler for automatic backups.

Backup ToolsBackup Tools

• In every case, you need to tell the In every case, you need to tell the backup program which files to back up.backup program which files to back up.

• That’s why it’s better to have the data That’s why it’s better to have the data all in one place. It’s much easier to all in one place. It’s much easier to “point to it” – the list is shorter.“point to it” – the list is shorter.

System RestorationSystem Restoration

• Before Windows “breaks”:Before Windows “breaks”:

Create emergency boot floppies / emergency Create emergency boot floppies / emergency repair disks / (various names)repair disks / (various names)

Create a restore point in Windows.Create a restore point in Windows.Create another restore point each time Create another restore point each time hardware or program install changes.hardware or program install changes.Create a restore point before adding new Create a restore point before adding new software (and after).software (and after).

System RestorationSystem Restoration

Create emergency boot floppies / Create emergency boot floppies / emergency repair disks / various namesemergency repair disks / various names

Create restore points in Windows.Create restore points in Windows.

Do these things even if you don’t know Do these things even if you don’t know how to use them!how to use them!

Hard Drive ReplacementHard Drive Replacement

• Starting from scratch:Starting from scratch: Install Windows, all drivers, all programsInstall Windows, all drivers, all programs Reconfigure dialup and emailReconfigure dialup and email Restore Data from backupRestore Data from backup Disadvantage: you have to have all the Disadvantage: you have to have all the

drivers and programs and data.drivers and programs and data.

• Easier method:Easier method: Replace hard drive image from an image Replace hard drive image from an image

backup.backup. Disadvantage: if Windows was cluttered, this Disadvantage: if Windows was cluttered, this

doesn’t get rid of the clutter.doesn’t get rid of the clutter.


• Insurance against catastrophic failure:Insurance against catastrophic failure: Run Norton System Doctor S.M.A.R.T. sensor Run Norton System Doctor S.M.A.R.T. sensor

all the time.all the time.

oror Run disk manufacturer’s test program from Run disk manufacturer’s test program from

floppies (download from Seagate, Maxtor, floppies (download from Seagate, Maxtor, etc.)etc.)

• Often gives time to clone the diskOften gives time to clone the disk


• Run Drive Image or Ghost automatically Run Drive Image or Ghost automatically onto a 2onto a 2ndnd hard drive. hard drive.

• Provides a disk image ready to go….Provides a disk image ready to go….

• Don’t forget to check S.M.A.R.T. on the Don’t forget to check S.M.A.R.T. on the 22ndnd drive! drive!

Fred MarshallFred MarshallCoastal Computers & NetworksCoastal Computers & Networks

Ilwaco, WAIlwaco, WA(360) 642-2073(360) 642-2073