Backup, Backup, Backup
Proposal for a Workshop on Backing Up Your PC
Backup, Backup, Backup
Do you have any data on your PC that You cannot afford to lose?
Backup, Backup, Backup
Backup, Backup, Backup
● Hacking is more formidable now than ever, and
more often than not, once a PC has been
hacked, it needs to be restored from scratch.
● At some point, your computer will be so slow
that you will want to restore it to factory settings.
● A system image backup together with
incremental backups can make restoration much easier and more complete.
Backup, Backup, Backup
What do I need to do the backups?
● Software ● Hardware
Backup, Backup, Backup
What hardware/software do I need to do the backups?
● Your PC with Windows installed
● One or more of the following (depends on the
version of Windows that you have):
– External hard drive with a capacity larger than your
PC hard drive
– Jump Drive (Flash Drive/Thumb Drive)
Backup, Backup, Backup
Software is highly debatable.
● There are very good commercial software
packages for doing EZ backups. Problem is that when you need the software, it is either
obsolete or doesn't work with your particular backup.
● I try to stick with Microsoft Windows
backup/restore software, but that can have its own problems. I discovered this last week.
● I used Norton, which is good. But, what
Backup, Backup, Backup
Backup, Backup, Backup
Steps to Backing Up Your PC
● Run a full scan of your antivirus to try to get rid
of as much malware as possible.
● Make an inventory of your system with Belarc
Advisor (download) http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
● Update the BIOS chip (optional)
● Run Windows Update to make sure your
Backup, Backup, Backup
Steps to Backing Up Your PC (continued)
● Remove all programs that you do not use or
even know about. Start->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs.
● Run Disk Cleanup
(Start->Programs->Accessories->System->Disk Cleanup)
● Create System Image (done differently in
Backup, Backup, Backup
Steps to Backing Up Your PC (continued)
● Create Windows Recovery CD or Jump Drive
(this varies depending on Windows version— Win8.1 requires a Jump Drive; other versions can use DVDs or CDs)
● Set up Incremental Backups; again using
Microsoft backup software. (Varies with the Windows version).
Backup, Restore, Backup
Demo
● Demo of restoring a backup to a real computer ● I am using a laptop that my brother wanted to
recycle.
● The history is:
– I re-installed the OS from scratch to get rid of any
personal files from my brother.
– I made a system-state backup of that re-installation
Backup, Backup, Backup
The Jargon
● System Image – a backup that includes all of
the programs you have added outside of the basic Windows Operating System
● Incremental Backup – backups taken at a set
interval such as a week, or 2 weeks, or month. Good to retrieve files that were accidentally
Backup, Backup, Backup
Homework
These things maybe cannot be done in the Workshop
1) Run Windows Update (this could require several iterations —do them all).
2) Do the actual System Image backup (we may be able to do this in the Workshop, maybe)
3) Make a set of Recovery Disks (I'll help you with
instructions for the method specific for your brand of computer.)
Backup, Backup, Backup
Estimated Time for Workshop
Day 1:
● Review of what we must do
● Gather information about our computers (Belarc) ● Find the software that we need for each computer.
● Ensure that we have the hardware needed—external
drive, jump drive(s), blank DVD disks
● Review how to do a Windows Update ● Homework: Windows update
Backup, Backup, Backup
Estimated Time for Workshop
Day 2:
● Check whether we need to update the BIOS
biosagentplus.com
● Uninstall programs, if necessary. Start->Control
Panel->Uninstall Programs
● Run Disk Cleanup.
Start->Programs->Accessories->System->Disk Cleanup
● Create System Image—Find the commands for you
Backup, Backup, Backup
Estimated Time for Workshop
Day 3:
● Review how everyone came out with their System
Image (compare the space used on the disk with the space the image takes).
● Create recovery media (DVDs or jump drive
depending on the Windows version). About an hour here.
● Choose backup software and set up a regular
schedule for backups.
● Show me that you have the information and disks
Backup, Backup, Backup
Estimated Time for Workshop
Day 4:
● Review any loose ends.
● Possible demo of restoring a computer from the
