Windows XP Hacks

Build a Better Backup Strategy

Don’t be blindsided by disk crashes and other disasters. Here’s how to have a backup ready at any time for any reason.

I used to use 3.5 inch diskettes for backup; to back up to disks today would take me approximately 98,000 diskettes. While we don’t use diskettes for major backup procedures anymore, a lot of the thinking that goes into a backup is still pretty ancient.

I don’t believe any users actually set out on a given day to destroy a functional operating system, but you know as well as I do that it happens. A little tweak here, a Registry edit there, a power surge or perhaps a badly behaved application that trashes the computer. We’ve all been there and when it happens I can almost guarantee you that if you listen closely you’ll hear something approximating, “Darn. I meant to _____,” where the blank is whatever backup task you have been putting off.

In addition to making yourself do the backup, there are a few steps I recommend to make your backup procedure easier, more convenient, and more effective.

Map Out a Backup Plan

I recommend separating the operating system and programs from the data when it’s backed up. All three components—operating systems, programs, and data—have become huge over the years. In most cases, lumping them into a single, large backup is a waste of time, especially for home users.

Before you actually back up anything you need to ask yourself some questions:

• How will the backup be saved? Many of today’s computers come with ...