Can someone please tell me the best way to back up files...?

Question

I need to copy my music files in case my computer crahses and I lose them. I have heard the term "back up your files", but I have no idea how to do this. I am using windows xp. Can someone please tell me how to back them up, and what media to use. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Backing up files is relatively simple. You just need to know 3 things.

1) What files do I want to back up.
2) Where are the files located.
3) What do I want to back them up to?

The answer to your question:
1) Music files.
2) If you have kept all your music files in one place, it's easy. If not, you can either look through your folders using Windows Explorer (Hold the Windows key down and press E), or do a search for music files (Hold the Windows key and press F). You will want to search for the type of music files you have *.mp3 for instance will give you the results of mp3 files. Once you have a list of the search results, select them all and copy them to another folder.
3) If you are copying to a CD, insert a CD, copy the files to it, then write the CD.

Answer 2

The next person who says to use a CD-RW needs to be smacked. optical disks at all are not the best option as the elements can easily damage them. The best option any good IT professional will give you is to purchase an external hard drive. If you get a Western Digital MyBook, it comes with easy backup software. just tap the button, and the computer will fully back itself up onto the hard drive. there are a lot of other options...personally, i have an extra hard drive installed within my computer, and I have purchased Norton Save and Restore, which automatically backs up my entire system every night when I am not using my computer.

Answer 3

You can use software call "Nero" and you can back up all of you music files useing that useing writeable cds or dvds.

Another way you could use would be transfering all of your music onto a usb stick or a portable hard drive which is like extra memory which can be pluged into any computer with a usb port.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

you just have to copy them to disk, if you have got an external hard drive copy them in that , this is the easyes way to back up to back up your files . to do this , open windows exporer twice , then in the bar at the bottom click in it and themclick tile vertical. the two windows explore pages will then open side by side on the screen oen the part where your external hardive is on the folder section . and then open the folder with the music that you want to save . now you have both open click on the music that you want to save and drag it into you external hard drive just et go of the mouse and it will then get copied into that . so if your pc does crash the suff on the external hard drive does not get wiped

Answer 5

Right click the folder, select copy, then right click within another hard-drive and select paste.

For more comprehensive backing-up, I'd recommend something like Norton Save & Restore.

Answer 6

I use the free software Karen's Replicator which automatically backs up my data automatically every night to a second hard drive.

"Automatically backup files, directories, even entire drives! Karen's Replicator copies selected files from one drive/folder to another. Source and Destination folders can reside anywhere on your network."

Answer 7

Use dvd rw disks so u can store tons of music. and its a good idea to use a software from nero called nero backup. u need the basic nero first. then just drag n drop the files u wanna burn n just burn em.

Answer 8

Take a burnable CDR-W and start burning your music files using either your D-drive, or your Windows Media Player.

Answer 9

just highlight the files and copy them to a cd your puter should have some with windows

Answer 10

turn off its christmas eve ,u are so sad using your pc today.
merry xmas ,good luck