Backup your computers—it's worth it

[starbkjrus]

You're not kidding. I had a similar problem three years or so ago. Now, I back up the machine once a week and even pay for secure off site storage for some of my more important files.

Sorry to hear of your bad luck.

[Daaaaang]

Yes, it is all gone. Except I did get really lucky, as I use Google documents for a class I am grading. I don't have Excel, and Google docs was free, so I used it, and now I am really glad I did, or I would have to explain to the professor I am helping that all the grades are gone because I didn't back them up.

Whew!

Otherwise though, making my computer recognisable again is not fun, especially with one week left of classes!

I already ordered an external hard drive. This will never happen to me again. (Well, it's possible for two hard drives to crash at the same time, but that is less likely than finding a grass snake in a sugarcane patch.)

[Mr. Kilt]

You're not kidding. I had a similar problem three years or so ago. Now, I back up the machine once a week and even pay for secure off site storage for some of my more important files.

Sorry to hear of your bad luck.

I spent 11 years working as the supervisor of the Vital Records department at an offsite sotrage facility here in Calgary. Offsite storage for the average person may be a bit overkill, but making regular back-up copies of your valuable files is most important.

[Livingston]

Coming back from the games at Estes Park this year we rolled our car. The only major casulty, other than the car, was the laptop. Of course, we had downloaded all the pictures of the games to it already. The camera spent the night outside, on the side of the highway, in the rain. No problems with it. Backups are good. Just wish I could have backed up online that weekend.

[James MacMillan]

Making a back-up drive is really easy now days. Get the biggest drive that you can afford (and HD's are pretty cheap in cost right now) and then get a USB capable case. It's pretty easy to mount, even for old guys with fat fingers. Get some back-up software and have it run every night while you sleep.

Another way would be to re-configure an old computer as a network drive when you upgrade to a new OS. chances are pretty good that both 'puters will crash. After our recent fire problem, I now have one central location to grab all my files, also fast and easy to grab and flee.

On-line back-ups are also available, but also leave your data more open for thieves. Remember the recent V.A and Credit company laptop computer thefts. Your data is only as safe as the people who handle it.

[O'Neille]

I'm guilty of a little overkill. I have a backup drive installed in my safe. It's wired to my main computer. My laptop backs up to the main computer every night and my main backs up every week. I've never needed it other than when I get a new computer but the peace of mind is wonderful. I got it mostly for my pictures.

[James MacMillan]

I'm guilty of a little overkill. I have a backup drive installed in my safe. It's wired to my main computer. My laptop backs up to the main computer every night and my main backs up every week. I've never needed it other than when I get a new computer but the peace of mind is wonderful. I got it mostly for my pictures.

Now that's an idea. I have a fireproof Gn safe that should have plenty of room. But I don't know about drilling a hole for the cable? That would almost positively defeat the fire-proofedness of the Gn safe.

[O'Neille]

Jay, That is where my back up drive is. My safe has a cool wiring pass through that was installed at the factory for an alarm connection. It also has power inside for the light. So it was no problem to put the hard drive in there and run a usb cable to the computer. I just turn on the power strip to keep the hard drive from running continuously.