Backups allow you to restore your files if either:

• Your hard drive crashes and everything on it is lost. This can happen and probably will, at least once every couple of years. When this occurs you have to do a full system restore which involves using the most recent regularly scheduled backup. If you do the backups as prescribed below and the full system restores in the order specified, there is a very good chance that when you are finished with the restore your system will be as it was before the last backup. The whole process should take less than three hours. It is important to understand that the ability to restore a system as completely as possible in the least amount of time is your objective. The backup and restore strategies defined here satisfy this goal.
• You've accidentally deleted an important file. When this happens you have to restore the file from the most recently regular scheduled backup set.
• You need to re-install software that you have previously downloaded and paid for. When this happens you have to restore the original download file from either the CD or floppy diskette you saved when the software was originally downloaded.

Note: The following is intended only as a set of guidelines. Consult the documentation that came with your computer for additional guidance.

When to Perform Backups

• Regularly scheduled backups should be done as often as is practical. A good measure is every eight (8) hours of computer use. If you enter a lot of data, or work on documents every day, you'll want to perform a backup every day. Backups are your insurance policy against the loss of valuable data and/or files.
• Special one-time backups should be done for any software that you paid to download. Copy the software installation file onto a separate backup disk and label it with any account or registration identification. This makes it possible to re-install it in the future.

What Files Require Regular Scheduled Backups?

The good news is that very few files need to be backed up on a regular basis. Only application data and environment settings need to be regularly backed up. You do not have to backup your entire hard drive or anything close to that. The operating system does not need to be backed up nor do any of the other software, or programs, that you may have installed from CDs.

We recommends the following folders (with their associated subfolder and files) and files for regularly scheduled backup:

Windows 2000 or XP:

• C:\Documents and Settings
• C:\Windows\All Users
• C:\Windows\Offline Web Pages
• C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users (Netscape bookmarks, for Netscape users only)
• Any application specific data.
  Example: IOMEGA 1-step backup software lets you specify what files to be backed up each time and it keeps these settings in its own folder (C:\Program Files\Iomega\Iomega Backup\). It doesn't give you the choice of putting it in the MyDocuments area or anywhere else. Hence, if you are using IOMEGA 1-step backup software you will want to include this folder as part of your backup.
  Example: The EUDORA mail program keeps your mail messages and other mail account settings in its own area (C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Eudora\...). It doesn't give you the choice of putting it in the My Documents area. Hence, if you are using EUDORA you will want to include these data files as part of your backup. The HELP documentation tells you exactly which files to backup - C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Eudora\ Filters, Sigs, Nicknames, & Stationary.
• Any other folders or files you created yourself.

Windows 9x:

• C:\My Documents
• C:\Windows\Desktop
• C:\Windows\Start Menu
• C:\Windows\Favorites
• C:\Windows\Send To
• C:\Windows\All Users
• C:\Windows\Offline Web Pages
• C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users (Netscape bookmarks, for Netscape users only)
• C:\Windows\Application Data (Windows keeps volatile data and settings information in this area, as do many other applications.)
• Any application specific data.
  Example: IOMEGA 1-step backup software lets you specify what files to be backed up each time and it keeps these settings in its own folder (C:\Program Files\Iomega\Iomega Backup\). It doesn't give you the choice of putting it in the My Documents area or anywhere else. Hence, if you are using IOMEGA 1-step backup software you will want to include this folder as part of your backup.
  Example: The EUDORA mail program keeps your mail messages and other mail account settings in its own area (C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Eudora\...). It doesn't give you the choice of putting it in the My Documents area. Hence, if you are using EUDORA you will want to include these data files as part of your backup. The HELP documentation tells you exactly which files to backup - C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Eudora\ Filters, Sigs, Nicknames, & Stationary.
• Any other folders or files you created yourself.

Recommended Media for Storing Backups

Three different types of storage media may be used for backup safekeeping. You can determine how much backup storage you will need by right-clicking on the folders/files listed above and selecting "properties" to see the "Size" of these folders/files. Once you know approximately how much data you have to backup you will know how many disks (depending on the backup media you are using) will be required:

Backing Up to Floppy Disks

Suitable for 4 Mb or less of data (about 4 floppies). More than 4 Mb of data prolongs the backup process and requires too many floppy disks. You need about one floppy for each one Mb of data.
Run the Windows backup program (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup) and select just those folders or files listed above for the backup. Read the backup program's documentation about how to "select" those files you wish to backup and how to "save" the selection for future backup use. Be sure to label and date the floppies when finished. They can be reused and re-labeled for future backups. Keep at least two floppies in a rotation. Reuse and re-label the oldest one each time.
Pros: No purchase required (software and hardware already built-in to every Windows system). Disks are inexpensive.
Cons: Slow and cumbersome for more than 4Mb of data.

Backing Up to ZIP Drives

Each zip disk holds 100 Mb (or 250 Mb or more depending on what drive you buy) and the backup process is very fast. Run the backup program that came with ZIP drive. Read the backup program's documentation about how to "select" which files are to be backed up and how to "save" the selection for future backup use. Be sure to label and date the disk when finished. They can be reused and re-labeled for future backups. Keep at least two disks in a rotation. Reuse and re-label the oldest one each time.
Pros: Faster than floppies and requires fewer disks (each disk equals 100 or more floppies).
Cons: May requires purchase of a ZIP disk drive. Disks are expensive - approximately $10 each.

Backing Up to CD-RW Discs

Each CD-RW disk holds 600 Mb (or more depending on what brand you buy). This backup process is the fastest of your three options. Run the backup program that accompanies the CD-RW drive. Follow the backup program's documentation about how to "select" which files are to be backed up and how to "save" the selection so that you can re-use it every time without having to re-think the file selection. Be sure to label and date the disks when finished. Rewritable disks can be reused and re-labeled for future backups.
Pros: Faster than ZIP and requires fewer disks (each disk equals 600 or more floppies). Disks are inexpensive.
Cons: May require purchase of a CD-RW drive.

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