• When dealing with computers, what is a "backup?"
• Why backup my data? I have never lost any computer information.
• What are the types of computer backups?
• What do I need to get started today?
• How do I backup my data?
• Why do you keep writing about surge protectors and backups?
• An important comment

When dealing with computers, what is a "backup?"

A "backup" is simply a copy of a file in more than one location. Usually these copies are on either floppy diskettes or "tape backup drives," but having a copy of the data on a computer network drive (in a business setting) as well as your personal computer's hard drive can also be a backup of that information.

Why backup my data? I have never lost any computer information.

I once read a fine backup truism, "There are two types of data--that which has been backed up, and that which has not yet been lost." Power surges, corrupted files and computer viruses mean lost information. If you only backup every month, be prepared to lose a month's worth of data if something happens. As "Murphy's Law" states, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Eventually, it will go wrong for your data.

What are the types of computer backups?

There are two types of backups, full and partial. Typically people think that they have to backup their entire hard drive or floppy disk, called "full backups."

The advantage to full backups is that information is copied in one continuous shot and if something happens to your computer's hard drive or a floppy diskette, you can quickly and easily re-load all the information back the exact same way it was before data loss. Of course, your data "recovery" is only as complete as the last time you backed up. Last month's backup won't contain the last four weeks of information.

The other type, partial backup, is used to only copy the most important information--like the actual database tables, word processing documents, or other information that would be hard or impossible to recreate in the event of complete data loss. With partial backups, you will need to pull out all your original program disks, install them first, and then drop in the backed up data. This can be quite time consuming and all of your "preferences" within the programs may be lost (unless you backed those up, too). When performing a partial backup, if you are not sure which information is critical, (and this can sometimes be hard to determine in case of database tables), get a computer guru or hire a consultant to help you. For safety and for ease of data recovery, it is always better to perform a full backup.

What do I need to get started today?

Great question! For businesses who rely on immediately current information, there should never be a hesitation on the purchase of a high-quality "tape backup." There are ways that these tape backups can be set so that they are almost continually updated, thus taking out all the hassle of swapping diskettes. With backup drives under $150 dollars, these can make sense for almost any user, especially when you consider the alternative--lots of floppy disks. Interestingly enough, the floppy diskettes can easily cost more than a tape backup system and a few high-capacity tapes.

How do I backup my data?

While I won't go through the actual step-by-step process (because each computer operating system is different and tape backup drives have their own quirks) I will explain the proper method for backups. You need to check your computer documentation for instructions.

The "Grandfather" method, also called the "rolling backup," is the most secure means of keeping the data you want. Instead of saving just one copy of your information, invest in enough diskettes or backup tapes to store at least three sets of information.

• On day one, backup all your data and mark the disks or tapes with a "1."
• On day two, which might actually be a week or two later, repeat the process, but mark the tapes or disks with a "2."
• Obviously, day three is similar.
• On day four, save over day ones' tapes and so on.

The reason this is important is because something can easily happen to a backup tape rendering it useless when its needed the most. Also, if your computer was "virus-free" on day one, caught a virus on day two, but you didn't know it and backed up your data for the next two data sets, which set of data are you going to want to "restore" from? Day one! This same concept also works when other catastrophes befall your information, but are not discovered until later.

As a reminder, change your floppy disks and tapes regularly. Every year or so, start a brand new set of data backups. I have seen several cases of friends and clients pulling out their three to five year-old disks, only to discover that their backup disks are so worn that the floppy disk drive can't even read the information (thus losing the effectiveness of the backup).

Why do you keep writing about surge protectors and backups? I thought this was an Internet column.

It is. However, I feel these topics are especially important for all Internet users because the risk of data loss from computer viral infection and power surges are increased when suing the Internet. I assure you that next week will be all Internet--all column long.

An important comment

I think it is important to mention, (so that there is no confusion), I am now affiliated with one of the local Internet service providers. All opinions expressed in my articles are, and have always been, my own fault, and may not reflect the views of my new employer. Ironically, it was this Internet Tutor column that introduced me to them.