Skip to content

backup

Spread out your backup

I had a client call me today to ask my advice on a new computer. Unfortunately someone had broken into her house and stolen not only all of her computers, but all of her backup disks too.

Bad guys are often smart enough to know that a computer is worth more if there are a lot of programs to go with it. So if your computer is stolen, chances are the theif will also take the opportunity to steal any disks he can find as well.

Keeping all of your backup in one place is never a good idea. Not only can theives get to it, but if any other catastrophe takes your home or office, chances are your backup will go with it, if you keep your backup with your computer.

RAID – It’s not just for cockroaches anymore

I worked on a computer this weekend that had two hard drives (150 GB each) in a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks) configuration. It was the first time I had worked with this type of computer. There are different flavors of RAID available and they are described as Level 0, Level 2, etc). In simple terms, RAID automatically makes copies of everything on the first hard drive to the second hard drive…also known as mirroring.

This is done for a couple of reasons. The first is obviously backup. RAID allows for continuous seamless (and transparent) backup from one drive to the other. Performance for some applications like high end graphics or Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) becomes slightly better with hard drives configured in a RAID format. Up until recently, RAID has been reserved primarily for computer servers (think large offices, Internet providers, web hosting, etc). Hard drive costs have dropped dramatically in recent years and storage size is skyrocketing. These two factors are propelling the implementation of RAID in personal computers.

Picasa 2 Revisited

We discussed Picasa 2 late last year, but since then I have discovered many more wonderful things that can be done with the program. In fact, I now use it more often than any other program for my day-to-day digital photography.

HOW TO GET PICASA:

1. Download Either click on this button, or go to www.picasa.com and click on the Free Download button.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but…

I talk about this almost continuously it seems and hope that I’m preaching to the choir, but the topic comes up constantly in my travels…backup. Backup is probably the least interesting, but certainly the MOST IMPORTANT topic that we can discuss regarding computers.

Today, I ran across yet another computer user whose computer wouldn’t boot up and he didn’t have a backup. Fortunately, he knows a smart guy who can help recover the data, but data recovery is risky, expensive business and the results aren’t always 100%.  I implore and beg you to start and maintain a backup program that will protect your precious digital data in the event of a meltdown. Search our site for the single word "backup" and you will be rewarded with many articles and tips covering backup.

Know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em

This Shotgun is going out late because I’m still working on a couple of computer that I brought home with me to repair. Because of some kid commitments, I didn’t get started until after 9pm. Working on sick computers reminds me of my Dad listening to Kenny Rogers sing the card song. Sometimes it just makes sense to fold up the cards, backup data, and completely start over with a computer. It takes a little time, but often less than trying to troubleshoot a knarly problem.

A couple of benefits of starting over with a fresh system are that it forces you to backup and once finished, your system runs as good (or better) than new! 

Give Picasa a try!

http://www.drwinn.com/graphics/quarter_hourse.gif

I just put that picture there to get your attention. 

I’m not trying to brag, but I know more about digital photography than the average computer user. This is partly due to the fact that I took Photoshop classes in college for about three years.

I love Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, but I can also appreciate that not everyone needs such a powerful program.

Warning: External Hard Drives

One of my mantra’s over the years is about backup. Over the past few days, I have been working for a newer customer who hasn’t heard my sermons.

He had a "computer expert" setup an extremely complex home network and a NAS (Network Attached Storage) backup system. None of this is out of the ordinary. However, unfortunately, this was the only backup the customer had. Last week, his external hard drive failed. All of his important data existed on that drive that was seemingly lost.

External hard drives use the same hard drives we have in our computers with an added few components to allow the drive to function independent of a computer. Problem is that a hard drive is a hard drive…moving parts and all. Moving parts eventually fail and power can quit as well. These increasingly inexpensive devices work fine as a secondary backup…but should never by your primary drive.

Computer guys are kind of like Zorro

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not complaining in this post at all. I am just explaining the events of the day.

I began my day with a blank schedule. My mother in law was scheduled to arrive to spend a couple of weeks with us so I had blocked today so that I could help my family get ready.

My phone rang at 7am this morning. It was a dentist’s office. They had accidentally done something that had deleted their patient schedule and they were completely lost without it. I told them that I would be right in after I took a shower and got dressed.

As it turns out, they backed everything up on tape drives. It took 3 tries and almost six hours before we finally had a success in getting everything back up. Then one of their laptops died in an unrelated occurance.

Backup Outlook Express Email

The most reliable way is to search your computer for *.dbx files using Start –> Search. Make sure you check the option to search for hidden folders and files. Then backup any of the dbx files.

To restore these files on a new computer or new installation, Start Outlook Express, Click File –> Import –> Messages. Follow the wizard and choose Outlook Express 6 as the type of email you are importing, then click Browse to where you saved the original files.  

Moving from AOL isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it

I am currently helping two clients make the move off of AOL after many long years of being AOL customers. While each client is having a few problems making the adjustment, each has stated that they small issues are worth it to get away from AOL.

There are a few things that you need to get ready for when making the switch from AOL. 

1. There is no easy way to backup your address book and move it over. You can print it out and then manually add each address to your new email program. The best way I have found to do it, though, is to send emails to everyone in your AOL address book with your new email address. Ask for each person to send a reply to your new address. Then, as people reply you can click "add sender to address book."