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Backing up is hard to do
I just mentioned a few weeks ago about how important it is to back up your computer from time to time. The more you use it, the more often you should back up.
Well, I am glad I followed my own advice. My computer started giving me the blue and black screens of death and I knew that it was only a matter of time before I wouldn’t be able to get any more data off of it. Luckily, I had done back ups and haven’t lost any of my work (or my clients). But it was scary thinking of all the work I could have lost if I didn’t back up.
However, I’ve just gone out and bought myself a new 2 Terrabyte memory external hard drive and I’m going to set up a back up schedule. It is going to take me a while to get my computer back to how I had it (minus the death screens) but at least I know that I have my work saved.
Tip:
Don’t forget to back up your contacts and favourites from time to time as well. If you use Outlook Express (no longer available with Windows 7) you can export your contacts into a spreadsheet file and import it into any other mail program, including hotmail, gmail etc. And you can save your favourites as well doing the same thing. I even drag my email messages into folders like “Inbox” “Sent items” etc so I have the latest emails from people as well. If you do that before you back up your computer, you can include that in your back up.
If you use a program like Quicken or Quickbooks, it is a good idea to back that up to a folder each time you are finished with updating your accounts. Then include that folder when you back up as well.
Do as I say, don’t do as I do
I always advise my clients to back up their computers. Even if they just back up their images, it could save heartache down the road. Often they don’t and are devastated when something happens to their computer and all pictures of their grandchildren, pets and documents that they’ve done are lost.
I should listen to my own advice.
I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t backed up my own computer since December! I used to do it once a month, but that chore has slipped to the back burner. I got a rude awakening yesterday when I did what I thought was a standard update for Windows 7. I had a brief thought that I should back up before I did it, but I had done the same updates on my lap top the day before with no ill effects. I should listen to what I tell others.
The update went smoothly enough, but when it was time to re-start the computer it just sat there. The lights were on, but no one seemed to be home. That’s not good! With the help of my technical hardware hubby over the phone (my hero), I switched monitor cables (apparently the video card often gets changed and it doesn’t like the new HDMI cable). Sure enough, after scrabbling around under my desk (with the dust bunnies) I turned on the computer and it turned on. It had to go through some repair, likely due to my turning it off when it wasn’t doing anything, but all is well.
If you have any documents, pictures, programs that would inconvenience you or hurt you to lose, please set up a time each month to back up your computer. I have a Terrabyte removable hard drive that I use, but if you don’t have that much you can just back up to a USB drive or burn a CD or DVD. I would have been majorly inconvenienced (okay, screwed) if I had lost my work, so I’m listening to my own words now.
I’ll also be vacuuming under the desk a bit more often too!
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