57. Back data up or kiss it
goodbye
By Mark Alberstat
Backing up your data is critical, whether you are using a networked
computer or just your home PC or Mac. Without backups, when your computer
crashes - and that's a "when," not an "if" - you may lose some or all of
your data. Those priceless digital photos from your trip to the Galapagos
Islands will be lost forever if you haven't backed them up.
There are several ways to back up data. Most of them are fairly simple,
which is good, considering how important the task is.
Data redundancy is the best method of backup. This means having multiple
copies of the data, and those copies are best stored away from your main
computer. Most computers today come with CD or even DVD burners. These
devices are an excellent method for backing up your data.
Simply put a blank disk into your computer, start your burner software -
Nero and Roxio are two commonly loaded burner packages - select the files,
or, better yet, the directories you want backed up, and let the software
do the rest. Most CDs can contain about 700 megabytes, which is a lot of
data. DVDs can contain many times that amount, depending on compression
ratios.
The failure rate of correctly burned CDs and DVDs is very low, much lower
than floppy drives. However, if you feel unsure about a single disk
holding all your valuable data, an incremental backup once a week or once
a month is a good plan and will ensure that your data has multiple backup
points.
Another backup method is with ghosting software. This software takes an
image of your hard drive and stores it, often on another drive you have
slaved into the machine.
The advantage here is that your backup is on a separate drive, so if your
main drive dies, you can install the image on a new blank drive, and away
you go. Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost are two of the more popular
imaging programs. Even if you are using this kind of software, it is still
best to back up your data or any changed files.
If you are a Windows XP user, you may want to try the built-in backup
software. The Professional edition features the Windows Backup utility
(Ntbackup.exe) ready to go.
The Home edition, however, usually does not have it loaded, so you have to
add it by installing it from the original CD. To do so, browse the CD
under the ValueAdd folder, then the Msft folder and then you will find
Ntbackup. Double-click the file Ntbackup.msi to install the utility.
If you are worried about fire, flood or theft of your computer or disks,
you could consider one of the online backup alternatives. These sites do
charge you to use their storage space, but the peace of mind may be well
worth it.
Companies such as Xdrive Plus or @backup are two popular providers. Both
companies have free trial periods, but to activate it you have to supply
them with your billing information, including credit card number. If you
don't tell them explicitly that you want the service cancelled, they will
charge you automatically.
Backing up your data may seem to be a chore. But if a problem occurs and
you have done your backups correctly, nothing beats knowing your files are
safe and sound.
A few useful links:
Acronis software: www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage
For Norton Ghost: www.symantec.com
For Xdrive homepage: www.xdrive.com
For @backup homepage: www.backup.com
The Mousepad runs every two weeks. It's a service of Chebucto Community
Net, a community-owned Internet provider. If you have a question about
computing, email mousepad@chebucto.ns.ca. If we use your question in
a column, we'll send you a free mousepad.
Chebucto's AGM will be held April 14th at 6:30 p.m. in the
CIBC Auditorium, Computer Science Building, Dalhousie, 6050
University Ave., Halifax.
Originally published 10 April 2005
