I just discovered that Windows 7 has a backup procedure which will automatically backup selected files or directories to a CD or DVD or flashdrive. To access this feature click upon START and ALL PROGRAMS at the bottom and then click upon MAINTENANCE near the bottom on the second page.Then click upon BACKUP and Restore. It backs up all selected files or directories immediately or at a time you select to a directory named: restore. I have been using Second Copy software for years which only cost $29.95 and it works well and is easier to use.
-
-
How lovely of you to bring this to our attention- thanks! -
I use Karen's Replicator to backup to a portable hard drive. It is a free download, and you can schedule it. http://www.karenware.com/powertools/powertools.asp
Then I use I-Drive backup as my fire insurance.Comment
-
Showing my ignorance now
Do you set these programs like Second Copy and Karen's Replicator to back up just certain programs or do they backup everything you do?
I back up my QB and my tax program to an external hard drive, but sometimes I forget to do it on a regular basis.
Would this back up what is in my documents file and my outlook files too?
LindaComment
-
Manual Backup
I know that I won't totally depend on a backup program anymore. I had been using BounceBack after trying to use it once before. Well my hard drive failed on Monday. The last time bounceback did a backup was the first of the year.
First my huge mistake for not double checking that ALL files were getting backed up. It appeared as though they were. I did atleast make a manual backup the first of September of my drake and quickbooks files. But that was it. Should have took the advice in a prior post by Bees Knees of doing it through dos.
Sent hard drive off to a recovery center and will end up paying around $1,200 to get my data back. Atleast it was a mechanical failure on the drive and they can get the data off.
Anyways, I will now be having a regular days that I will backup files. I will make sure I will do this. I will try one of the programs suggested on this post. But I think manually backing up your data is the only way to be sure everything is totally backup.Comment
-
Second Copy can be set to backup only certain files or directories or your entire
hard drive if you have a second hard drive or large enough flashdrive or DVD to which to
copy. It runs in the background. I use it to copy my Drake Tax Software to a flashdrive
at 11 PM every night. Once set, you can forget it.
I once used a RAID 1 system with a second hard drive and even it failed and the
computer crashed. I have had two hard drives to fail both running in Windows. I once
had nine backups and when I tried to restore them, the first eight were corrupt and only the
nineth backup worked.Comment
-
Well, call me paranoid but I follow three golden rules:
1. Never trust anything coming from Microsoft, especially when security is concerned.
2. Have several different backup methods. I have online backup, an external harddrive and a SD card, all with daily scheduled backups. In addition I do a manual backup about once a week to an encrypted flash drive to use with my netbook when on the road. I do not have any data on this netbook and therefor do not need to be concerned about loosing it.
3. Test the backups and know they work.Comment
-
I am really sorry for you but also glad that they can recover the data.Originally posted by geekgirldany View PostComment
-
This is from my experience.
Don't back up the whole program, doesn't always work when restored. I make backups (from within the program) to "My Documents" Then I set Karens to back up "My Documents" to the external drive. I also backup my PaperPort files using Karens.
I have a check off list to remind me to make backups.
When ever I exit a program I do a backup.
Karens is set to back up every night.
I have learned by experience, computer failures, and a fire.
I had 4 computer failures this year, during tax season, and the only thing I lost was some emails, and MY QuickBooks file, which I was able to recreate.
It is much easier to restore from the portable drive, but I use I-Drive (like Carbonite), because when I had my fire, I had my backups, but the backups were on my desk, all got destroyed.
My suggestion is you can not over do backups.Comment
-
really scared
Okay. Now all of you have me really scared. But I do back up my QB files when I finish working on a company. I have been doing that for a while. I try to remember to back up my tax program when I finish a return now during the off season and should do it nightly during tax season, but forget a lot so probably once a week.
But the drive I back up to sits on my desk too. So I guess I need to get better informed and do some offsite backup too.
Thanks for all this info. I will get this done in the next couple of months for sure.
LindaComment
-
Linda, don't be scared, you are getting smart.
I was making very good backups, but when our house burned down, it got my computer and my backups (which were on my desk). It was all personal, thank goodness I did not loose any of my business stuff. But I lost everything personal, including pictures. The funny thing is that I was in the process of scanning important papers into my computer so I would have copies, but lost all of that.
That is why I call my online backups my "Fire Insurance". I always seem to learn things the hard way, but it is a lesson you do not forget. I just don't want anyone else to learn the hard way.Comment
-
Ya don't be scared. I was really just saying to make sure that your backup program is doing its job
I am going to backup on two drives. One will be external I will take with me.
When I first started out I visited a local accountant's office. He told me their procedure was that one backup stayed at the office, one went with him and another went into a safety deposit box at the bank each week. Interesting setup there.Comment
-
Two backups
I use Carbonite and an external hard disk for backups. On the external disk, I copy the C Drive "company" file from Peachtree and paste it to the external drive. Once I restored all companies from Carbonite and one company had a flaw which made it impossible to add vendors. I lived with it until the end of the year, then set the company up again with a slightly different name so I could add vendors.
After than I decided to use "copy" rather than "backup " in placing the file on the external disk.
I use regular backups for my tax program plus the Carbonite backup.Comment
-
Not new software
The Windows backup program (part of original MS software) has been around for many years, likely back to the old Win 3.2 or even older stuff.
But, basically, few people ever used it.......or even knew it was there.
Just as is defrag stuff, which you can "purchase" through 3rd party vendors or find for yourself in the MS software on your computer.
A somewhat similar comparison relates to people paying to get credit reports (which are free) or getting a copies of Soc Sec earnings (which are also free).
FEComment
-
Yes, this is all true but don't think for a second that Microsoft offers the same quality or security as some of the other free software purchased ones.Originally posted by FEDUKE404 View PostComment
Comment