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Backup your files

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Experienced computer users know that there are two types of people: those who have already lost data and those who are going to experience the pain of losing data in the future. Back up small amounts of data on "removable media, i.e. memory stick, etc." and larger amounts on CDs. If you have access to a network, save copies of your data on another computer in the network.

How often should I backup?

You should make weekly backups of all your important data. And make sure you have your original software start-up disks handy and available in the event your computer system files get damaged. Be prepared! The more important/irreplaceable your data is the more your need to backup.

What do I need to Backup?

You need to backup what you can’t easily recreate. Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Data collected by a specific program and e-mail. Usually files are stored in “My Documents” on a PC and “Documents” in the Users folder on Macintosh OSX. Backup the whole folder if you have the space.

Email clients and how to back them up

PC

Eudora - Copy the Eudora folder to another media location

Thunderbird – download and run this program located at http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

Outlook express - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;270670

Outlook - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;238782

Macintosh OS X

If you backup your folder in "Users" you will backup everything that is yours including e-mail, but here are the specifics if you just want to backup e-mail

Eudora - In "Documents" folder http://www.eudora.com/techsupport/kb/1655hq.html

Thunderbird - Backup the Profile Folder - /Users/"your login"/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles

Entourage - In "Documents" folder - /Users/"your login"/Documents/Microsoft User Data

 

backup-windows

backup-macs

 

This page was last updated on 5/27/08.