Maintenance Schedule Follow-up…

In last week’s column I outlined a simple maintenance routine to help keep your computer in good, running condition. This week I am answering a few questions about backing up your files.

Q. Can you be more specific about the backup routine?

A. A regular back up routine should be twofold. First, you need to make regular backups of your entire hard drive, and for this you will need an external hard drive that is larger than your internal drive. Hard drive prices are the lowest they have ever been — a 500 GB drive can be found for under $100. How to make backups was the subject of the February 8, 2008 OnMouseClick, which you can read online at http://onmouseclick.blogspot.com/2008/02/backup-now.html.
Second, you should also back up digital photographs whenever you download them from your camera. All photos that you want to keep should have at least one backup — photos you absolutely do not want to lose should have two or more backups.
It is also a good idea to keep one copy of your backup files in a alternate location such as..... If something happens to your home or trailer, at least your files will be safe.

Q. Should I back up my photo files to CDs, DVDs, or an external hard drive?

A. You could consider CD or DVD media, but you should be aware of their limitations. Until a few years ago, it was thought that data stored on CD and/or DVD media would last 20, 30, 40 years or longer. It has been discovered that CD and DVD media may not as reliable as once thought. The bottom line? If you use CD and DVD media, it is important to buy quality discs, store them upright in a jewel cases, use non solvent-based markers to write on the label side of the disc, and store discs at moderate temperatures with low humidity.

With low external hard drive prices, the best choice for all your backups maybe one or more external hard drives. A large (250 GB or larger) drive can hold tens of thousands of photo files, and it is very simple to add additional files at any time,

Q. How often should I schedule my backups?

A. If you make a lot of changes to the files on your computer, you should be backing up daily. Using an automated backup program, such as Apple’s TimeMachine or Windows Backup, you can have your files backup on a regular, automatic schedule. Digital photo files should be backed up whenever you download new photos from your camera.