Why is it good to have back up files?

Question

Should I back up any of mine?

Answer 1

Yes, you should backup your important files from time to time. In case you don't do it, your computer may suffer of any harm (like a virus or a power loss) and you may lose some data, which may be important!

Answer 2

I can give you a rather expensive object lesson in the need to do backups. Normally I usually do backups, but I'd neglected them for the last several months, mine own stupid fault.

Then, my 40GB harddrive blew, with months worth of emails & business data. So, I sent the drive out for recovery. They did get all the data back, which may not always work depending on how badly the drive failed. Price: $1125 + shipping. Ouch. Note that if your data was deleted or damaged by a virus or system problem, it may not be recoverable at all, since it's no longer on the drive. In my case, the controller board for the drive had blown, but at least all the information on the drive itself was intact.

Back up everything that's important. Some people back up the entire drive, the OS, all installed software, everything. IMO, that's overkill; you can always reinstall all the software and the OS. In fact, periodically, I reformat and do just that. However, taking an image of the entire drive will allow you to recover relatively quickly if you have a complete failure. Of course, for a large drive, you need *another* large drive to back it up onto, or lots of DVDs.

Answer 3

It is not really necessary to backup your entire hard drive. The operating system (usually windows) can be reinstalled along with the programs
Your data files are another story.
Any of your data files you feel are important, you definitely need to backup. Anything can happen with a computer, hard drive failure, power surges, lightning strikes, etc. I personally have only about a 50% success rate of recovering data from a failed hard drive. It's not if your hard drive will fail, but when.
Things i consider precious are my MP3s, digital photos, word documents, Internet shortcuts, etc. I have a database that I have been working on for years that I would feel bad if I lost it.
All of these items I have backups of. I also don't keep my backup in the same location as my computer. What if something happened like the building burned down.

Answer 4

really, the only people who need to back up there files are people who use there computer for anything more than just surfing the web. the reason people back up there files is so that if you hard drive dies you don't lose valuable data, so if you run a business with your computer you should have a backup, if you just ask questions on yahoo it would not be worth your time

Answer 5

This ensures that if you should get a virus or computer crashes for any reason, that you have a copy of your files that can be reloaded on the computer.
You should do a backup up at least once a week. Doesn't take long to accumulate information.

Answer 6

Too much sad above.
well it's up to u.
If u are sure in ur PC and security u can forget about it.
but in think that it's necessary.
Normally, HDD should have 3 partitions.
1 for Programm Files
2 for OS
3 for back up.
Besides backup allows
1. to restore to different hardware and recover from any unforeseen event.
2. easily change Os (upgrade PC).
3. and many other details.

Answer 7

The answer to this question resides in how important your data is to you.

Lets say tommorow your computer is stolen and all your computers data was lost. Insurance pays for a new computer, so you will have a new one of those, but your data is now all lost, would you be upset about it?

If yes, then you should backup your data, if not, then I woulnd't worry about it.

Answer 8

Just in case there is a virus on your computer, and you have to reset your operating system. When you reset your operating system, they will delete all of your files and all of your important documents will be gone.

Answer 9

ya back up is always preffered
if u have any confidential files and important files in your system