How to back up files?

Question

Does anyone know how to back files up on a computer? Like so if something happens to my computer I won't have to re-install everything?

Answer 1

well, there are special backup software for that.
I don't know OS u are running if it's Xp it has backup utility in itself. start-programs-accessories-system tools-backup. if it's not u can download Acronis company backup software True Image. after u can backup ur needed data to any removable disk(ATI can do that without any 3_rd software like nero or anything else).

Answer 2

Like someone said - you can periodically create restore points so if your system hiccups, you can get it back to a certain point where it worked well. In Win XP:
Start
Programs
Accessories
System Tools
System Restore ... and follow the instructions.

Otherwise - in case of an electrical storm, floods, fires or viruses -these days there lots of high capacity external drives that's cheap. All you do is plug in and copy your files across. I recently bought an external drive 100g - for $50.00. It now holds all the music in the house. To secure backup absolutely - store it in your heavy duty, weather-resistant safe off site somewhere ... opps got carried away there for a moment - thought I was in the computer room at work :)

Answer 3

First, you need to figure out what you already have on CD or DVD, and what are your own personal files. For example, your Windows OS or Mac OS is probably already on a CD, and you don't need to back that up. If you have a problem, you simply re-load it from that CD. If you have games that came on a CD, then you don't need to back up the games, but you might need to back up some game files if you saved some files, or if you have a defined character within the game.

Second, once you have figured out what are your personal files, you can go about backing them up. To do so, you will need to make a copy of your files onto something other than your hard drive. Depending on how many files you have and how big they are (e.g., do you have a lot of videos? do you just have a couple of Word files? etc.), you have various options.

1) A detachable USB drive (thumb drive, flash drive, etc.). You simply plug it into the USB port on your computer and copy your files onto it.

2) Burn a CD or a DVD. If your computer has the capability of doing this, you can save a lot of material this way. If necessary, you can always save onto more than one CD, so if you have tons of files and they are all really big, you might need to save onto several CDs, but that's okay.

3) Save to an external hard drive. You can buy an additional hard drive at a computer store, attach it to your computer, and then simply copy your files onto the external hard drive.

4) Save to an internet location. For example, if you have a .Mac account, you can save your items there. You can e-mail copies of your files to your own e-mail address (although this is pretty time consuming). That way, whenever you need a particular file, whether you are at home, at school, at work, at someone's house, etc., you can simply log on, download the file, and use it.

Those are several different ways you can go about backing up your files. In any case, you need to figure out what are YOUR files, because those are the only ones you need to back up. Once you have done that, you can better figure what method of back-up is right for you. E.g., if you have only a few personal files, a detachablel USB drive is probably fine. If you have several gigabytes of files, you will need to use DVDs or an external hard drive.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Trying to back up everything is not impossible, but it is probably not worth the effort. Your best options are to use a RW-CD or a "thumb drive" that plugs into the usb port and periodically back up your important files. Such as your address list for email, spread sheets and word documents, and your internet book marks, digital photos, and the like. The things you can not restore.

Answer 5

I use system restore or use a CD-R/RW disc...1-open the My documents folder on your desktop 2-choose Edit-Select All to select all files & folders in the My Documents folder(in other words this step selects all files U have created on your pc 3-Choose File-Send To-CD Drive(G:) be sure to choose CD-R/RW drive from Send To submenu;in these steps I chose (G:) which is the one I use 4-Burn the CD-follow steps for burning CD-R discs.Also you can do this if it's easier for you.......
On System Tools menu Click on Backup: enables U 2 mke,compare,or restore backup copies of selected files & folders on disks or tape.Maintains copies of all files U can't live without.

Answer 6

The easiest way is to buy any external hard drive from places like compusa or office max and attach it to your computer and copy over all your important files on a regular basis. They range in size and price so see what is out there and choose one that seems right for you.

Answer 7

Create an image file of your entire hard drive using Norton Ghost. Make sure you have enough space somewhere to store the image file. If your HD crashes, restore from the image file.

I've used programs like Handy Recovery to recover entire hard drives (including registries).

Answer 8

That's a primary function of system restore, it gives you the ability to keep everything in tact for the most part. Unless you're running windows98, then you'll have to use a program like drive image. I use this a lot, it basically makes an exact image of your hard drive. If your system crashes, simply reboot your computer with the drive image floppy disk inserted, and it will ask for each cd you created using drive image, and reloads an exact image of your system, like nothing ever happened.
http://www.drive-image.com/

Answer 9

I don't know of any free ones but stomp backup my pc will do it but it is all or nothing. You can't just restore a particular file you have to restore the entire drive. If you just want to keep your files,pics, etc. just use nero or roxio and a cd-rw disc and create a data cd with the files you want to save.

Answer 10

Burn your personal files to disk

Symantec - Norton Ghost will keep you backed up and will get you back to a point before any problem that may occur.

There are other specific back-up programmes out there.
Google it