Can someone please explain to me what "backing up" your computer means?

Question

I've had many explain to me what it does and the purpose behind it. But I still don't get it. Let's say my laptops breaks down. What good is this "back-up" stuff? How do I work with a laptop that is let's say, frozen up?

Thanks, maybe you can get through to me. Just don't use $10 dollar computer terms ok?

Answer 1

This shouldn't be too hard to understand:

Inside your computer is a component (a piece of hardware) called a hard drive. The hard drive is where all the files used to run Windows, run your programs, and store your documents, are kept. Unlike your computer's memory, which functions when the computer is powered on, the hard drive writes data to metal discs (called platters) so when the computer is powered off, the data is still in physical form. A hard drive is like a VHS cassette tape -- they both use magnetic heads to read and write data -- except that hard drives can hold much, much more data.

So, through the wonder of computers, sometimes the data on a hard drive becomes corrupted or the hard drive (the hardware) itself can die. When this happens, either the data on the drive or the drive itself needs to be replaced. In either case, the data is either destroyed or otherwise inaccessible (to the normal user).

To replace the data, it's always nice to have a backup copy to restore it from. This concept is no different than making copies of your annual tax returns in case the original copies get lost or destroyed, for example. Sometimes people only backup their important files (like personal documents, photos, and movies). Sometimes, though, they make a copy of all the data on an entire hard drive.

I understand what you mean by "What good is this 'backup' stuff?" and "How do I work with a laptop that is, let's say, frozen up?" The backup, in any case, is beneficial when one of these situations occur:

(1) the hard drive's data is corrupted, the hard drive needs to be reformatted (or erased and reset), and the data then needs to be replaced;
(2) the hard drive itself dies, the drive needs to be replaced, and the data then needs to be replaced;
(3) the operating system (like Windows) is somehow damaged (either not working or only partially working), the drive needs to be reformatted, and then the data replaced; or
(4) important files get deleted (accidentally or intentionally, like via a virus) and they need to be replaced.

The average computer user would likely only be able to use a backup to replace deleted files (scenario 4). Otherwise, special software and knowledge is required to use a backup to restore a hard drive (scenarios 1-3), which requires too much training to provide here. For your information, though, you'd need to learn how to use an MS-DOS startup disk (and its associated MS-DOS prompt) to use a hard drive formatting program and/or install Windows.

Answer 2

backing up your computer simply means that. You save all your files, music, pictures, etc on floppy disks, cds, a zip drive (portable mini harddrive that can be purchased) so that in case something does happen like for instance you get a virus, or your computer dies you will have all your important documents and such saved somewhere else for easy access. If your laptop breaks down the back up information will enable you to open the needed documents on another computer, or also allow you to open the documents and save them onto your new computer. If your laptop freezes try to shut off your computer by the power button, if not hit control, alt, delete buttons at the same time to manually force your computer to shut down. Good luck i hope this helps

Answer 3

backing up your computer in the most basic sense means "save your important files to something besides your harddrive" . Why this is important... if your laptops breaks down, you can replace it. if your laptop breaks down... you can't replace any important work documents you may have had, or your collection of family photos, or maybe the nice stash of music files you've been buying from iTunes.
So, occasionally make a copy of anything you don't want to lose permanently to a CD or external harddrive.
Your files are what were concerned with... not the laptop itself. If it freezes up... well, that is another issue.

Answer 4

Let's define each word. Computer geeks can't do it any other way.

BACK - not the front, when a car passes you on the highway, you are now in the Back, instead of the front. Also used to relate to an event that happened in the past, so BACK in the OLD days... blah blah blah

UP - not down. If a bird leaves something on your head, you look up.

COPY - A duplicate or clone. I once made a photo-copy of my passport photo, but it did not come out so clear.

When I make a back up copy of my computer, that means that I make a COPY or duplicate of my computer information. When I say BACK, in this reference, I am only making a copy of what has past. I can't make a copy of what has not yet happened.

Now let's say that you did not make a BACK UP COPY of your data.... then your computer DIES... you do not have a BACK UP COPY. that means that your OLD data is gone forever.

There is nothing left except for the crying.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 5

Backing it up means if your computer breaks or shuts down you would still have the files that you need or that cost money on file. You can usually put most of the important files onto a cd. Like if you use itunes and buy the songs, all your songs that cost money would be lost so you should "back them up" to a cd.

Answer 6

When people talk about backing up your computer, they are actually referring to the files on your computer. That way if your computer breaks down or freezes, you still have your files. You can back up your files on a CD, a flash drive, or if you are on a network, you can back up the files that are on your hard drive unto the network. If you have confidential files, don't forget to make your files only accessible to you, your IT person, and your boss, and back up person (if the files are for work). That way if you are out or have a problem one of them can access the files.

Answer 7

a back up is just what is says. it backs up your information, IE.. your programs, documents, pictures. anything that is important to you and that you would be sad to loose. you back it up to an external hd or to floopy disks, cd/dvd roms. when you start the backup which is on "programs" accessories, system tools. it will look for any backup devices. like an external hd. and then it will ask you what is it that you want to backup.from your documents and setting to all information on the computer and where you want it to be saved.

it is always good to have a backup just in case your pc/laptop crashes.

hope that helped you out. I kept it as plain english as I could

Answer 8

You should also make a Srartup disk .... use that to start your computer, then use the back up disks/cd's, to put the data back onto your harddrive, newer computers with Win Xp have system restore CD's you can make, and keep in a safe place if your computer fails

Answer 9

backing up your computer is just saving important files to a cd-rw or a usb flash drive. that way, if your computer does crash and you have to completely reinstall the OS, you still have your important files, like a term paper or a presentation file. i've also heard of people like backing up their OS settings or something, but i'm not sure how that works.

Answer 10

Hi~ Here are some links that may help you and be a lot clearer, since now you know the definition of "backing up" your computer.

How to decide what data to back up

How to backup computer software

How to back up a harddrive