backing up files

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There are many ways. First, you should determine what it is you wish to
backup. Ideally, you only need to back your data files, that is, files that
you have created. You should have disks for the operating system and any
applications you installed and shouldn't need to back those up.

XP has a backup application. If you have XP Pro, go to Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools and Backup. If you have XP Home Edition,
backup isn't installed by default. Go to the valueadd\msft\ntbackup folder
on the XP Home Edition cd and install ntbackup manually by double clicking
the file. NOTE: if you have an OEM version or some a recovery CD, the
manufacturer's often omit the backup applet. In which case, you want backup
software, you would need to purchase such an application. Here's is one,
Backup MyPC:
http://www.stompinc.com/index.phtml?stp

Also, you can do this without backup software, it just makes it a little
more convenient. If you have a CD burner, you can copy files to CD-R or RW
disks. Just be sure to copy your files to some media off your hard drive.
Again, the type of backup and media is up to you but there are a lot of
options. The least expensive and seemingly most convenient at the moment is
using a CD burner. There are other options. You can create an image file
of your entire setup but that will create a file far larger than anything
you can burn to CD. Also, unless you are going to create a new image every
day, you really should augment your image with a backup. DVD-burners are
another option and those disks should be able to hold an image file
depending upon the size of the drive you are imaging.

I wrote a column awhile back on the subject, if interested you might want to
check it out. Go to the following website, scroll to "CyberSpace," click
it, scroll to "Don't Get Caught Without Your Backup" and click it:
http://www.smalladdictions.com/Skateboard/
 
thanks

Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User) said:
There are many ways. First, you should determine what it is you wish to
backup. Ideally, you only need to back your data files, that is, files that
you have created. You should have disks for the operating system and any
applications you installed and shouldn't need to back those up.

XP has a backup application. If you have XP Pro, go to Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools and Backup. If you have XP Home Edition,
backup isn't installed by default. Go to the valueadd\msft\ntbackup folder
on the XP Home Edition cd and install ntbackup manually by double clicking
the file. NOTE: if you have an OEM version or some a recovery CD, the
manufacturer's often omit the backup applet. In which case, you want backup
software, you would need to purchase such an application. Here's is one,
Backup MyPC:
http://www.stompinc.com/index.phtml?stp

Also, you can do this without backup software, it just makes it a little
more convenient. If you have a CD burner, you can copy files to CD-R or RW
disks. Just be sure to copy your files to some media off your hard drive.
Again, the type of backup and media is up to you but there are a lot of
options. The least expensive and seemingly most convenient at the moment is
using a CD burner. There are other options. You can create an image file
of your entire setup but that will create a file far larger than anything
you can burn to CD. Also, unless you are going to create a new image every
day, you really should augment your image with a backup. DVD-burners are
another option and those disks should be able to hold an image file
depending upon the size of the drive you are imaging.

I wrote a column awhile back on the subject, if interested you might want to
check it out. Go to the following website, scroll to "CyberSpace," click
it, scroll to "Don't Get Caught Without Your Backup" and click it:
http://www.smalladdictions.com/Skateboard/


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
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