When backing up files which ones do I ready have to back up?

Question

And how do I back them up?

Answer 1

typically most programs that run on window by default save all important files under my documents and included under my documents is my pictures and my music. since most of this data is constructed from things that you have created these are the first files you must backup. start by going here: c:\documents and settings\ from here you will find all the accounts on the computer. when you open up each folder for each account simply copy the folder xx documents, also another handy file from this folder to back up is the favorites file. secondly, if you are using quicken or quickbooks they save your database to thier root directory, ie c:\program files\intuit\quicken\. make sure to back those up. as for how to back them up the best media currently for home users would be a cd or a dvd depending on how much data to back up there is. use the burning program that came with the drive for that.

Answer 2

First of all, most data files are saved in your 'documents' folder.
I always set up a main 'Data files' folder and add folders under that for all the various programs I use. JPEGs, Excel, Word, music, email etc.
That way everything ends up in the same place and to back things up, I simply back up 'Data files' and all sub folders.
I also always use a secondary HDD on which the backups are done, since you never know when a HDD will go bad. It is NOT if, it's always 'when',
I back up all my data at least every second week. Copy them to the separate HDD. An external USB drive can do that for you too.
Just bought another two 300GB HDDs ($66.00 each) through eBay.

Answer 3

If you use Windows XP then all the files you need to backup are foung in Documents and Settings. If you have mutiple accounts then you have to save each account's Documents and Setting. Windows XP comes with a backup program; however, in Windows XP Home edition it is not installed by default. Therefore, you need to copy the program from your Windows XP installation CD. Here is an article to show you how:

1. "Install Backup on Windows XP Home Edition" -- written by the eldergeek.com (http://www.theeldergeek.com/backup_for_xp_home_edition.htm)

Once you have installed the program, you can backup your files as described in the following article:

2. "XP Backup Using NTBackup Backup or Restore Wizard" -- written by the eldergeek.com (http://www.theeldergeek.com/backup_using_wizard.htm)

There are other free and commercial backup utilities. My favorite freeware is 2BrightSparks' Syncback. As for commercial products, you can try Norton's System Works.

There are so many different ways to backup your files. PC World has an excellent article on backup strategies:

3. "Backup Tips: Keep Your Data Backups Safe, Simple, and Fast" -- written by pcworld.com (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123796/article.html)

Answer 4

Back up what you need (If you want to back up files). If you are planning to back up the O/S, you will need backup software.