Top 3 Data Backup methods suitable for home users / Small Business

[Briggz5d]

"I formatted my PC and Lost all my files"
"My Flash Drive was infected by a Virus - All my important documents are corrupt"
"They Stole My Laptop - I have years of work stored in there"

Listed above are the common things people say when they lose important data saved on a storage device.

We all have lost Data one time or the other, The loss wouldn't be heartfelt if We had copies of that Information saved someplace safe! so in this post i will not waste time emphasizing the importance of Data Back-ups but rather, we'll explore different means of Backing up data to prevent permanent loss.

Some Data Backup methods will be listed and explained below, The method that suits your need is determined by the size of data.

• External Hard Disk Drives / Flash Drives:
  This is one of the Most popular and easy data back-up Devices. Saving a copy of that Important Project in an External Hard Disk or flash drive can save you the trouble of starting afresh, or explaining to your boss how you lost it. :p
  
  
  
  
  External Hard Disk with 200GB, 500GB or even 1TB of storage capacity can handle most of your Business backup Needs.
  
  NOTE: For the safety of your Backed-up data, It is HIGHLY recommended that you use it ONLY for adding New Backup or Extracting data you've lost. 
• CD / DVD Disc:
  This data storage medium should be your preferred choice if you have constant virus problems you just cant solve.
  Burn your Valuable Software, Documents, Family Photos etc to Disc using third party applications like Nero or the default Windows CD writer. - Viruses cannot Infect or erase data Burned To a CD / DVD Disc -
  
  The major Limitation of this medium is the storage capacity (700MB for CD and 4GB for DVD). Try not to touch, wipe or scratch the surface, and your data saved on a CD / DVD disc will Live to see your grand kids lol.
• Saving Backup Data Online
  I Logged on to 4shared.com this week to upload a file i wanted to share with Simona. I cracked a smile at the site of My old files from way back 2007 -
  
  
  
  
  YES!! 4shared, Rapidshare and other Online file sharing websites can help you keep your backup for years!!!
  You might need to login once every 3 months to keep your account active!
  They provide free storage space of about 15GB or more...
  

Copying and Pasting your Files and Folders into one of the Backup devices above is NOT exactly Microsoft Windows definition of the term "BACK-UP"
If the files are not encrypted or password protected, They're at risk (except in a CD / DVD Disc)

People take this for granted, but the proper and secure way to save / Restore a backup is From:
            Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >>  System Tools >> Backup (Follow the Backup Wizard)
The Final File created by this backup process can then be saved.

System Engineers: We know your solution to most computer problems is FORMAT!!
Don't be Quick to format without backing up the Customer's data - Even when the system will not Boot - Slave the hard disk and Backup Important files before you format. customer satisfaction oh

This is not a very descriptive Post, so if you would like more details or clarification about any steps not explained.. Say the Word - Ask!

Share / Like / Tweet this - someone needs it