| Backup, backup, backups! | | | | using a CD-RW disk. This is a good form of backup |
| If there's one thing I've learned in 20 years and | | | | for large amounts of data (they hold more than 650 |
| 12,000 data recoveries, it's that everybody doesn't | | | | MB), and each disk is inexpensive. But it leaves you |
| back up their data sometimes. Computers may be | | | | with a lot of plastic disks sitting around. That's why I |
| dumb, but they know when you don't have your | | | | typically use them only for large backups. Heat, |
| data backed up - because THAT's when they break. | | | | bending, and scratching are the enemies of CD disks. |
| Don't let your computer fool you - back up new data | | | | Incidentally, while it's hard to do CD-ROM recovery, it |
| daily. | | | | is possible to recover CDs that are damaged. |
| It's important that you keep two alternating backups, | | | | Zip drives come in sizes from 100 MB to 750 MB and |
| and an additional spare piece of media. This means to | | | | cost from $60 to $200, while additional disks cost |
| have one disk (or tape, or thumb drive) labeled | | | | around $10 each. These are sensitive to dust, shock, |
| "EVEN" (for even-numbered days, one labeled "ODD" | | | | too much heat, and big magnets. Remember to |
| and one spare. Eventually, something will go wrong | | | | alternate backups with Zip disks as a damaged Zip |
| with a backup. For example, if an error occurs on an | | | | drive can damage a Zip disk. Zip disk recovery is |
| "EVEN" day, and you put in your "ODD" backup, you | | | | possible, but tends to be less successful than |
| may ruin both. Instead, put in the spare. If there is a | | | | recovering other media. |
| problem, you've saved your extra backup (from the | | | | Floppy diskettes don't hold very much (1.4 MB), but |
| day before yesterday) and have not wasted all your | | | | cost a few cents, and are easy to carry around. |
| hard work. If there is no problem, and it was only a | | | | Almost all PCs have them, and quite a few Macs do. |
| temporary glitch, then put your spare back on the | | | | Floppies are sensitive to heat, magnetic fields, dust, |
| shelf, reformat the "EVEN", and carry on with your | | | | bending and other rough handling. |
| backup. | | | | Tape drives should only be used for very large |
| What's the best thing to make a backup on? | | | | amounts of data. They are relatively expensive and |
| There are a lot of ways to back up your data [ Most | | | | slow. They're great on large networks for after-hours |
| new computers come with CD-R, or CD-RW drives. | | | | backups, but they're easily damaged. Tape recovery |
| Most PCs still come with floppy disk drives (and you | | | | is difficult and expensive. |
| can get one for a Mac). There are Zip drives, tape | | | | I am an unabashed fan of USB thumb drives! These |
| drives, USB "thumb" drives, and more. My current | | | | are actually memory sticks with a USB plug on the |
| favorites are External FireWire or USB 2 drives, and | | | | end that act like portable hard disks. They are sturdy |
| CD-R for full backups, and USB thumb drives for | | | | - I accidentally let one go through the wash in my |
| smaller amounts of data. | | | | shirt pocket. After it dried out, it still had my data on |
| There are quite a few external drives on the market | | | | it (don't try this at home)! While we've been |
| today and if you have a computer that's less than | | | | successful performing USB data recovery, in this |
| three years old, you probably have the ports for | | | | case, it wasn't even necessary! They come in sizes |
| hooking these up. They usually come with backup | | | | from 64 MB to more than 2 GB. They can be shared |
| software as well. As of this writing, the drives are | | | | and used on PCs and Macs without reformatting. You |
| mostly under $200. Once installed, it's a good idea to | | | | can buy one at a local computer or electronics store |
| leave these drives off except when backing up. That | | | | for $35-$150. |
| way, a power spike or other environmental event | | | | What's the alternative to backing up your data? Well, |
| that may destroy data on your hard disk will be | | | | as every drive eventually fails, it's pricey data |
| unlikely to damage the external hard disk. | | | | recovery or data loss, which can be devastating |
| For CD-RW drives, I recommend using CD-R media | | | | Be safe. Back up your data. |
| only, as it's too easy to overwrite a previous backup | | | | |