Backing Up Your Computer

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Backing Up Your Computer

• By Eric Moore

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Types of Backups

• Drive Imaging
• File Backups

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Disk Imaging

• Copies an entire partition or hard drive to a
  single image file
• Saves to a hard drive, CD-R, CD-RW, etc.
• Can compress the data
• May allow you to restore individual files

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Examples of Disk Imaging Products

• PowerQuest Drive Image
• Now owned by Symantec
• Symantec Ghost
• PARAGON Drive Backup
• NTI Drive Backup

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Advantages Disadvantages of Disk Imaging

• Advantages
• Does not require booting Windows
• Emergency restore
• Supports cloning of a hard drive
• Disadvantages
• Slow
• Inefficient for backing up only a few files
• Can be dangerous if not used carefully

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Traditional File Backup Basic Features

• Backing up specific files and folders
• Backing up an entire hard drive
• Compression
• Password protection
• Restoring to an alternative location

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Additional Features

• Scheduler
• Windows registry backup
• Emergency restoration
• Packet writing for CD-R and CD-RW
• File filtering
• Include files
• Exclude files
• Modified files

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Examples of File Backup Products

• AVANTRIX Backup Plus
• Dantz Retrospect
• My Own Backup (Free product)
• Stomp BackUp MyPC
• NTI Backup NOW!
• Microsoft Backup

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About Microsoft Backup

• Free, no-frills backup utility
• Supported media
• Tape
• Hard disk
• Zip disk
• Preformatted CD-RW or CD-R
• Floppy disk
• Does not support CD burning
• No file filtering using wildcards
• For example, specifying .DOC for all Word
  documents

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Advantages and Disadvantages of File Backups

• Advantages
• Efficient for very small backups (much less than
  the entire hard drive)
• Ease of use (GUI)
• Inexpensive (Microsoft Backup)
• Disadvantages
• Restoring may require a bootable computer
• More capable products may be pricey (50 or more)

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Media Types and Their Costs(Prices from
Cyberguys!)
Media Type Cost per GB
Floppy Disk 153
Zip 250 Disk 58
Tape 2.35 - 15.62
CD-R/RW 0.43 / 0.98
DVD 0.74 - 2.21
Hard Drive 0.70
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My Backup Strategy

• Monthly backup
• Disk image using PowerQuest Drive Image
• Weekly backup
• Incremental using Microsoft Backup
• Daily backup
• Limited incremental using Microsoft Backup

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Additional Thoughts on a Backup Strategy

• Dont put it off!
• Make sure you can restore backed up data
• Keep redundant backups
• Two different discs
• Two different media types (e.g. hard drive and
  CD)
• Off-site storage
• Online backup service
• Safe deposit box
• Nothing lasts forever
• Media could good bad
• Media may become obsolete (e.g., 5 ¼ disks)

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For More Information

• My CUGG Article
• http//home.att.net/moore.e.s/cugg/articles/backu
  ps.html
• CD-Recordable FAQ
• http//www.cdrfaq.org/faq.html
• DVD FAQ
• http//www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html