Protect those data files : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Protect those data files

Take a second to think about all the information you store on your computer. Ok...it may take more than a second. In fact, it may take all day and even then you will not have a complete inventory. Office work, research, addresses of friends and family, schoolwork, financial information, thousands of irreplaceable family photos – they all go on your computer. Not to mention the expensive software that runs the entire system!

But what happens when your computer goes on strike...when it just stops working? Do you have a plan to recover the data you need to run your life? Better yet, do you have an up-to-date backup waiting in the wings for just such an emergency? Don't wait until it's too late. Put the following tips to work and you could save hundreds, even thousands of dollars...not to mention a major headache!

Hold On to Those Disks. You know those disks that come with your computer...the ones with all the software on them...the ones you throw in a drawer and forget about? Well – don't. Even though software often comes preloaded and ready to use, those disks and serial numbers are priceless. Keep them in a safe, memorable place and you'll be able to easily reload your software after a crash.

Rule of Thumb. Those little USB flash drives or "thumb drives" that you see everyone carrying around now are an ideal, inexpensive way to backup small files for short periods of time. Whether you're moving information from one computer to another or you want to make sure a critical company report doesn't get lost before the client presentation, these handy devices are well worth the small amount of money you'll spend for 4 GB of peace of mind.

Don't Get Burned...Do the Burning Instead. Most computers come standard with CD/DVD burners. Contrary to television commercials, you can burn more than just song compilations. Make the most of this device by backing up your important data regularly. Most DVDs can hold 4.7 GB, or you can double the data with double layer DVDs (known as DVD DL) that can hold up to 8.5 GB!

Take it Outside. To backup every last byte of data, add an external hard drive that operates independently of your computer. Products like Seagate's FreeAgent storage devices offer you a variety of options...as well as the ability to access your information even when you're not at home, so you can open a document or even view your family photos from out of town.

Leave Home Without It. For the best level of protection, move data out of the house altogether. Storing your IT off-site protects it from fire, theft, and flooding. And it's not as expensive as you might think. In fact, you can get a ton of space free from services like Yahoo! and AOL. At that price, the only thing you have to lose is your data if you don't back it up!

Once the Damage is Done. If you've already lost your data, you may actually be able to recover it...the cost, however, runs anywhere from the hundreds to the thousands. The best place to start may be the inexpensive options, such as SpinRite for Windows PCs and Alsoft's DiskWarrior for Macs--both of which retail for around $100 or less.

Don't wait until the worst-case scenario happens – act now to protect your important data files.