The Truth About Computer Back-ups…
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It was found that only 1/2 of us back up our computer systems. Yeah, I am in that 1/2. I don’t do it as often as I should though. I run online businesses on my computer and it runs almost 24 hours a day. I do my back up about monthly. That isn’t so great really. I should do it at least weekly. There are people out there though that monthly would probably be more than enough. If you are backing up priceless photos though you should consider weekly as well.
I have been reading now for about an hour about all the different ways of backing up your system including online storage, tape, and what I recommend an external hard drive. Yeah, you can use an internal one or even a zip drive.
Ok…so for this article. I am recommending an external hard drive both because it is cost effective and relatively easy.
The first time you do the back up will take some time. (Approximately 1/2 hour) the subsequent times though will be simple and you can do other things while your back up is going on.
For a single computer, you should choose an external hard drive at the very minimum to be the size of your current internal hard drive. If you have more than one computer you may want to consider adding a network drive, so this would require more time installing and a bit more tech savvy person. However, you are probably more tech savvy than you realize beings you have more systems and use computer more, so don’t shy away from this option.
I am going to go with Consumer Reports and recommend the Iomega 33215 250 GB External Hard Drive
This is not the exact file system that I use, but I use a removable hard drive tray and an internal hard drive for my system. This made to be external system is a much more comprehensive and easier to use system.
It is also recommend that you consider a secondary back up system. Yeah, a back up for the back up. This would be the back up that you use for fire, flood, other things where you whole home is affected.
I personally think that this is a great way to keep that secondary back up as well, you could put it in your safe deposit box at the bank if you have one and once a month go check it out.
You could if you wanted actually get away with just this secondary system if you can’t really afford a double system or you travel to your external hardware drive location frequently maybe you keep this second drive at work and the once a week trip home with it is no big deal and should you have an emergency while it is at home you keep it under your pillow or on your night stand.
It is much more cost efficient to spend $200 or less on your files now and never miss out on those precious memories and files that you need for you and your family.
Here are some more links that lead to a selection of external hard drives:
More Selection of External Hard Drives, plus USB Hub, Memory Card Reader Combos
More Selection of External Hard Drives
Best of luck that you may never actually need to use these files.
Written by Jennifer Hitchcock - Visit Website