Back Up Your Files!
By Cate Eales
Appeared August 27, 2009 on castanet.net
Last week I
told you about some of the programs I use to protect my own computer and
that I recommend to friends, family, and customers. This week I'll tell
you what backup programs and registry cleaner I like a lot.
You do not need a bazillion CD's to back up your
important data
If, like most of us, you would regret the loss of your email or your
address book, your photos, your spreadsheets and letters, your business
information, your internet Favorites, or anything else on your computer,
you really should have a copy of those files.
Stop rolling your eyes. Backing up your important files is easier than
ever. The days of feeding CD's into the computer one by one and "storing"
them on the top shelf in the hall closet are over.
External hard drives are inexpensive and reliable. Easy to use backup
programs are readily available, and many are free.
First, think about what files are important. Next, use a program like
SyncBack Freeware to back them up onto an external hard drive. You can
even schedule a backup so you don't have to remember to do it. If you want
more features, or you use your computer for business, you can upgrade to
paid versions of SyncBack. Here is a
comparison chart.
(click to enlarge graphic)
That's the basic way to back up, but there are other ways. Programs like
SyncBack make copies of your files. If something happened, you could
restore the files you backed up.
Another type of backup, called imaging, makes an exact copy of your hard
drive, and if something catastrophic happens, you just use the program to
put that image back onto your hard drive (or more likely, a NEW hard
drive). Acronis True Image is the industry standard choice for imaging. I
have been using it for years. It costs about $57 (CAD), and is
available online here.
I use Acronis True Image for a monthly image of my entire hard drive, and
SyncBack more frequently to back up my important files and my email. Other
programs that focus on backing up just email and browser
Favorites/Bookmarks, and I will tell you more about those in another
column. There are also ways to back up your files over the internet and
store them away from your home or business. That, too, is a subject for a
future column.
When I help a customer set up a backup routine, I always run a test
restore to make sure the files are actually being backed up, and that they
can be restored with a minimum of drama. Whatever backup programs you
choose, I suggest you do your own "confidence restore" when you are calm,
and don't wait until it's an emergency to learn how that "restore" button
works!
CCleaner clears out junk
The Registry is a set of files in Windows that keeps track of everything
about your installation of Windows, from the picture on your desktop to
what program you use to read your email...and lots more. Without a
functioning Registry, Windows isn't going to work for you, and eventually
it's not even going to start up. More
here.
CCleaner does not uninstall programs. It clears out unnecessary temporary
files. It will also give your Registry a thorough going over. Because the
Registry is such a critical component of Windows, you want to be careful
with it. If you don't know what you're doing (or you don't have a current
backup!) don't mess with ANY Registry cleaner, especially this one.
If you are, on the other hand, looking for a good, free, Registry cleaner,
this is the one I use. Take some time to look over the
features
and especially the
documentation.
CCleaner is completely free. And because it is, the author throws in a
Yahoo! Toolbar. You do not have to accept it. During the installation,
clear the checkbox next to that item, or just download the "Slim" version
from the download page, instead of the standard version.
Download
from here
Next time: Programs I can't live without.
Links
What do YOU use?
http://rlis.com/columns/column210.htm
SyncBack Freeware
http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html
SyncBack Comparison Chart
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/compare.html
Acronis True Image
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/
Windows Registry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry
CCleaner features
http://www.ccleaner.com/features
CCleaner documentation
http://www.ccleaner.com/help
CCleaner download page
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds
Computer Care Kelowna
http://computercarekelowna.com
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
Get Cate's column by email
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618
RSS Feed:
http://rlis.com/rlis.xml
--
Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your
computer get along!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users
and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment
phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and
suggestions. Send email to
help@computercarekelowna.com.
You can read previous
columns here. If you'd like to subscribe to this column by
email, please visit this link It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the
RSS Feed, click here.
©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
-30-
