Virtually everyone today uses and therefore relies upon computers to some extent whilst going about their daily business. When data stored in your computer becomes corrupted a lack of preparation for this kind of incidence can mean spending a small fortune through using data recovery specialists or buying recovery software. Additionally, in the worst case scenario, not all data may be recovered! If you are prepared these frequently serious problems can be heavily reduced making your life easier.
The well known saying ‘prevention is better than a cure' really does hold fast here. Simply backing up your data regualarly in a sensible, logical, easy to find location is massively effective at efficiently resoving a data loss situation. Stress and time used to locate and re-load your saved data will be far less than if you had not spent the short time and effort producing the back-ups and/ or programe files from the originals.
Files can be backed up onto a variety of media, e.g. CDs, external or internal hard drives, DVDs, tape drives or specifically designed removable media such as the Iomega REV drive. The use of optical media (e.g. CD's, DVD's) is thought to be far less reliable as a form of back-up. This is due to this media being more prone to surface errors. The pro's and con's (regarding ease of use, capacity etc) associated with each media type should be chosen to suit the situation you are in. Essentially each media type will tend to work well, try to stick one that you find works best.
Many reliable back-up programmes exist, one of the best known is included in Microsoft Windows back-up software. Microsoft Windows XP users know this programmes as NTBackup. If you find that your computer doesn't have this already installed all you have to do is place your Windows CD in your computer and locate a file termed ‘ValueAddMSFTntbackup'. This file can then be run in the folder in which it was found, i.e. ntbackup.msi. Very quickly this file will create the back-up software you so need, wizards ever ready to guide you through the file backup and resoration methods.
With the important backup software in place all that is required is that you frequently make use of it. A great frequency to save at is at least onece per day. If possible a separate back-up drive or disc for every day of the week, providing that extra security and peace of mind. Most businesses, from large to small, adopt this basic but fundamental data loss prevention technique, and for a very good reason, it works and can save a huge amount of stress, time and often critically, money.
