Backup, Backu p, Backup
What is a Back Up?
In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. These additional copies are typically called "backups." The verb is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup (often used like an adjective in compound nouns).
Backups are useful primarily for two purposes. The first is to restore a state following a disaster (called disas- ter recovery). The second is to restore small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or cor- rupted. Data loss is also very common. 66% of users have suffered from serious data loss.
Why Should You Do a Back Up?
Most of us (The Computer Guy included) cannot foresee the future. Even though I know that at some point it will happen, I have done nothing to protect myself.
In the digital age, we are using these machines for work or for personal use. These files may include our contacts, documents, and our most personal memories such as our photos. Knowing this, the ques- tion I pose is:
Are you prepared to lose this data?
Most reasons to do a back up is in case something happens to your hard drive. Your hard drive con- tains all the valuable documents and pictures (both personal and for business). It could be because of software issues such as a virus/ spyware or hardware defects.
Did you know that I rarely replace hard drives because of hardware defects? What I mean is, about 75% of the time when your system crashes, starts slowing down, you get the blue screen of death, win- dows will no longer boot, etc. is because of a software issue.
In these cases I may suggest (the quickest and most efficient way) to do a full system restore. This would require you to have your orig- inal manufacture CD/DVD’s and all your files backed up onto another device (flash drive, thumb drive, external backup, online storage, etc.). However, when I say this, it is often that I hear the following response:
“I cannot lose my pictures/music!”
In this case, your computer can still be fixed (usually) but will take much longer and cost more. There might also be a time, when even that is not possible, so now we back up your system (more time which results in more money lost) and then we restore the system any- way.
The other 25% of the time I replace a hard drive is because of hardware defects. This can happen at anytime, even now as I type this out! When this happens, it is usually sudden and there is usually little hope of recovery unless you want to spend several hundred or maybe even thousands of dollars for a chance of recovery.
The Computer Guy is OPEN for business!
The Computer Guy is open for business and ready to help you with your every computer need! I will come out to the house so there is no need to crawl in back of your computer and unhook all the wires in hopes you can put it all back together and no need to haul around your equipment.
The Computer Guy can take care of any need in regards to your computer system from software to hardware and everything in be- tween. I am the cheapest in town and I will take care of the problem the first time!
Take a look at the website (http://www.thecomputerguy-joe.com) or simply give me a call (414)852.9339 or send an email
This Class Is Sponsored By The Friends of The Franklin Public Library & The Franklin Public Library.
If you have questions, or would like to make a class suggestion, please contact The Computer Guy at:
(414)852-9339 | jkschoen@gmail.com | www.thecomputerguy-joe.com
Full System Back Up
Pros
Restores entire computer
No need to worry about recovery CD’s or program CD’s.
Cons
If data is in- fected, so is the backup
Time consum- ing to restore compared to a partial back up.
Doing a full system back up is one of the most common practices especially used by businesses, and should be for home users. The question is, what type of back up is right for you?
There are four basic types of backup: full,
incremental, differential and partial. Put simply, full backups allow you to make a copy of all the data
files on your computer in a single shot. They are perfect for computer novices and for the average home computer. These backups should be performed weekly and possibly even daily depending on computer usage. The other two basic backup types, differential and incremental, are more for people who work from home or who want to backup a computer used in a business. These types of data back- ups are typically done several times a week (if not daily) for maximum protection against data-loss.
Differential backups only backup the files that have changed since your last full backup, so these take longer and use more storage space, but have a shorter restoration time.
Incremental backups only backup the files that have changed since your last backup (whether your last backup was a full or an incremental backup) so incremental backups are quicker and take less space, but restoration time is much longer as you must restore both your last full backup and all of the incremental backups performed since that time.
With a full system back up you will usually need to do a full system restore, then install the backup software, then install the backup itself. On the flip side (not to confuse anyone) there are some programs that will allow you to skip the first two steps and go right to reinstalling the backup and that is it.
Partial Back Up
Your other option is to use a partial back up system. This is my preferred method because of the reason I am normally repairing a computer. That reason is because of virus and spyware build up. With a full sys- tem restore, if your machine is infected, you are backing up an infected system. This means when your computer ultimately slows down or crashes, we use the back up system to restore your computer, but that too is infected! So then we do a full system restore (providing...and this is important) you have the master recovery CD that came with your computer, or you have made one.
We will then do the recovery and bring you back to the way you bought it (which is often a blessing so we start fresh) and then place the programs back on (which in most cases is under 5) and lastly, we place the backed up files back where they belong.
With a partial back up you can simply select the folders or documents you want to backup which cuts the time down considerably.
Pros
Less space
Keep only what you want
Less time consum- ing.
Cons
Install OS and pro- grams
All The Computer Guy classes are sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library.
If you have enjoyed the class and would like to see more classes offered, please fill out a Technology Survey that is in the main atrium of the library (where you first walk in) or see one of the many wonderful librarian staff members who can assist you. You can now visit the computer website for more classes—www.thecomputerguy-joe.com/classes.htm
You can back up to just about any thing depending on the size of the files you are backing up to. Here are a couple of thoughts for you:
CD—700mb in size. Great for quick and easy storage of files and images.
DVD—up to 4.7gb in size. A little bit longer because of the size it can contain. Easy to do, easy to archive.
Thumb Drive— 512mb—26gb in size. Great for small files sizes. Easy to transport, very quick to use.
Internal Hard Drive—120gb—1.5tb in size. Great for any size but not portable.
External Hard Drive—120gb—1.5tb in size. Great for any size and it is portable.
What do you back up to?
Programs for you to use—Full System Programs for you to use—Partial Backup
Norton Ghost Cost is $70 online at the Symantec website. This is probably the most common on that you have heard of made by the same people who put out Norton Antivirus.
Acronis True Image Cost is $50 for this package which can be found online at www.acronis.com.
R-Drive Image Cost is $45 for this product which can be found online at www.drive-image.com.
Cobian Backup FREE and can be downloaded from www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm
Rebit - Cost is $39.99 for the software or by the portable hard drive (250gb) and the software for only $120. They do offer more options on the website which can be viewed at www.rebit.com.
FBackup - FREE and can be downloaded from www.fbackup.com.
Comodo - FREE and can be downloaded from www.comodo.com.
Always Sync - FREE and can be downloaded from www.allwaysync.com.
SyncBack - FREE and can be downloaded from www.2brightsparks.com.
FBackup - FREE and can be downloaded from www.fbackup.com.
Comodo - FREE and can be downloaded from www.comodo.com.
Name Symbol Number of Bytes Equal to
kilobyte KB 1,024 1,024 bytes
megabyte MB 1,048,576 1,024KB
gigabyte GB 1,073,741,824 1,024MB terabyte TB 1,099,511,627,776 1,024GB
Online Services—Things to look for:
Backup Features
Backup features include things like automatic backups, incremental backups, archive ability and file managers. Online Backup Ser- vices should offer easy ways to set up automatic transfers and syncing and simple ways to restore and view stored files.
Remote/ Mobile/ Web Access
Online backup services offer a variety of remote type access, from the ability to sync to multiple computers to folder or album sharing.
In addition, many are currently beginning to develop cell phone apps and syncing.
Security
Secure transfers and secure, private storage is paramount. We looked at the kind of encryption methods used for transfer and storage as well as whether they stored information on multiple servers.
Backup Space/ Price
We looked at how much a service charges for the amount of storage space offered. Though this is not critical, it can make a difference depending on the amount of storage desired.
Ease of Use
All of the best online backup services should be easy to use. Features ought to be easy to understand and they should make it simple to configure, transfer and restore files.
Help/Support
Online Backup Services should provide adequate support via telephone, email, chat and embedded or online help files.
Mozy $55 a month but you do need an internet connection for this to work.
Carbonite $55 a month but you do need an internet connection for this to work.
Navigating Your Computer System
Made Easy
The last level is your playground where you can add/delete anything without destroying your computer.
What Should be Backed Up?
What’s What Worksheet
How to Backup to a Flash Drive/ External Drive
1) Place flash drive into any USB port on the computer. You should hear a sound when it is plugged in and recognized.
2) A new windows should appear (like the one shown on the left). Depending on the computer and the programs
installed on the computer, depends on what will show up in the window. The one you need is either:
Open folder to view files
or simply X out
3) Navigate to the folder that has what you want copied. It could be in Documents, Music, Pictures or Videos. You can access any of these by going into the Start menu.
4) Make a selection of the files/ folders you want to copy or cut.
Cut means to remove. In the purpose of backup, You do NOT want to use this option.
Copy means to duplicate. This is the appropriate option for you to use in the case of backing things up.
5) You may use File or Organize (to cut or copy), Right click , or use the keyboard short cut of ctrl +C (copy) or ctrl+x (cut) 6) Navigate to your flash drive and open it up
7) You may use File or Organize (to paste, Right click, or use
the keyboard short cut of ctrl+V to paste.
1. Step 1 (as noted on the previous page) You have to edit the files and folders you want to burn to a CD/
DVD.
Click on the “Add” button.
Add your files/ folders that you want to burn to the CD/DVD. Make sure to hit the finish button when complete.
Name the disk (not necessary).