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.