You'll in no way fully appreciate why you should back up your computer data until your hard drive stops working. Usually, people only tend to lose data once. That is when most people are inclined to set up a smart backup method! Backing up your own data is your main priority. This includes data such as photographs, home videos, music, documents, and presentations etc. When your hard drive fails (they all fail sooner or later), you will probably want to make sure that your family pictures are safe.
You probably will not be so devastated at the loss of your old applications - you can always buy these again. Most backup programs make what's generally known as a 'mirror image' or 'clone' of your hard drive and keep all its information. But several of them, like Dropbox, are not automated and store pictures and videos etc. Just be sure to.
1. Backing up into the cloud or online backup:
Firstly, you must keep your backup storage device as far from your computer. It will not be much use if it gets ruined in a fire or stolen in a robbery. I would suggest both, but then I would as I am paranoid. However, if I had to pick one, I would decide to back up into the internet. The servers that you back up onto are also backed up! Therefore, there will be no chance of ever losing your data. Also, it is simple to set up an automatic backup. So, you do not have to remember to perform anything, and the backup data will always be up to date.
The only disadvantage of backing up to the cloud or online will be the speed. It can be very slow. The truth is the initial backup could age you significantly. It is best to set it to back up overnight when you're not at the computer. You can work while the backup takes place, but it will suck the life out of your bandwidth. Normally, there will be a monthly charge for an internet backup service. This ranges from £3 per month to £10 monthly.
My recommendations for online backup services are:
· Mozy
· SugarSync
· Norton Online Backup
· Dropbox
· IBackup
· IDrive
· ElephantDrive
· MyOtherDrive
· SOS Online Backup
· Carbonite
2. Backing up using an external hard drive.
If you have read any of my other articles, you will probably know how I go on about networked storage devices and how easy they can make your life. This will enable you to set up an automatic backup scheduler which can be very much like the online backup services. If you only have a non-networked external drive, you will have to remember to back up your data. It would help if you backed up every day. But to be very honest, this isn't very realistic if you're doing it yourself. Try to get into a routine of doing it every Friday before you go home or finish work. Or Saturday morning while watching Saturday Kitchen!
Most external drives come with backup software. Could you have a play with it? In case you do not, as I would suggest:
· Genie Backup Manager
· DT Utilities PC Backup
· NovaBACKUP
· Acronis True Image
· NTI Backup Now
· Acronis Backup & Recovery
· Norton Ghost
· PowerBackup
· TurboBackup
· Dmailer Backup
· Argentum Backup
They cost anywhere from £15 to £50. Whether online or using an external hard drive, most of the software and services listed know which files and folders will want to be backed up, and for the most part, they only back up files that have been created or changed since the last backup.
3. Finally.
Sleep easy, knowing that your data is safe and sound.
This article does not cover everything, but hopefully, I have given you an insight into what is involved. There are plenty of eBooks and such stuff on the internet. I always go to a company called Gigabyte Laptop Motherboard Repair London. They do not just repair computer systems, they provide IT support as well, and they are always helpful if you get stuck on anything.