Backup Your Files With Windows Xp
MAD Computer Solutions are frequently asked to help customers who have lost data due to hard disk failure, system crashes, user error, or spyware/virus infections. The amount of calls for this service is on the increase, and the connecting factor between all our customers, is that they have not backed up their data.
With most people having better access to technology, many of the files stored on their computers have a high sentimental value, which if lost may not be replaceable.
· How would you feel if you lost all the photographs of your children?
· How would your business manage if you lost all your contacts, your accounts and all your documentation?
· Do you have important information in your emails and calendar?
Still, even with this knowledge, many small business and home computer owners fail to complete a regular backup, and I have even seen some pay substantial sums of money in the hope that their data is retrievable. Even knowing the consequences, the general reasons for not backing up data is that they forgot, didn’t have the time, or were not sure how to do it. Therefore, in the next few paragraphs, I will guide you through a few different solutions. Most will only take a few minutes of your time, and all are easy to implement.
Local Backups
With external USB hard drives dropping in price they are the ideal choice for creating a local backup of your computer. Other options available are CD or DVD which will only cost you a few pence. Microsoft has provided the basic tools to complete a backup with most of their operating systems, and I have created a step-by-step guide below.
Windows XP
If you are using Windows XP Professional the backup software will be already installed. If you have Windows XP Home then you will need to insert your XP disk into your CD drive.
In Windows Explorer open the folder D:ValueaddmsftNTBackup and run the NTbackup.msi. Once installed your ready to go to the next step.
1) Click Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup.
2) Click Next and select Back up files and settings. Click Next.
3) Choose what data you would like to back up. The choices are:
a) My documents and settings – Use this option if all your files are stored under my documents.
b) Everyone’s Documents and settings – This option will need to be selected if more than one person uses the computer.
c) All information on this computer – Backs up the whole computer and creates a recovery disk.
d) Let me choose – This allows you to choose individual files and folders to be backed up.
4) Click Next.
5) If you chose the option ‘Let me choose’ from the previous page then you will need to tick the directories and files that you wish to backup. Once you are satisfied with your selection click Next.
6) Select the location where you would like to save your backup. This may be an external hard drive, or another networked computer. Click Next to continue.
7) Click Finish to start your backup.
About the Author:
Mick Davies
MAD Computer Solutions
IT Support
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