How do I add USB ports to my computer?
Some computers have USB ports on the front and some have USB ports on the rear of the computer. Depending on where your computer’s USB port is, you may need a short USB extension cord to make your port accessible. Many Jump drives include a free short USB extension cord.
Some very old computers don’t have USB ports at all, but you often can install (or have installed) a card that adds USB ports to the rear of your computer.
if your computer has USB ports, but they’re being used by your printer or other devices, you can buy an inexpensive USB hub for about $20 or less that will allow you to convert a single USB hub into multiple ports.
Backup Your Computer to other Computers on your Network
BACK UP TO NETWORK
Backing up your data to a network, whether a shared network or an online network, is a valuable way of storing your data externally to your computer. It is relatively simple to do and you are limited only by the storage capacity of the target network.
What equipment is needed?
If you wish to set up a home-based network, to which your home PCs can connect and to which you can back up your data, you will need to invest in a router and a server. The router buffers and forwards data packets between computers, whilst the server (which may be one of your home PCs or a hard drive designated for this purpose) provides file services to the computers connected to it. Most of the leading software manufacturers market some types of routers, and your decision as to which is the most appropriate will most likely be based on the number of computers you wish to connect, the speed you wish your network to operate at and the amount of money you wish to spend. In deciding what sort of server you wish to purchase, you need to consider network speed and necessary storage capacity, as well as the purchase cost. Some network drives have not one, but two drives. This is helpful in one of two ways: first, you can combine the drives and get extra storage space or second, you can create a mirror of your data on the second drive, giving that extra layer of data backup protection.
If you do not wish to invest in the hardware to establish your own home network, or if you do not have network access at work, you may wish to consider backing up your data to an online network. Using the storage space on the commercial provider’s server, you can create backups of your data in a remote location. You will not need any additional hardware to take advantage of this option.
What software is needed?
Network drives are typically bundled with software that looks after automatic backups. Although most network drives promise the same functions, there are important differences in functionality of the bundled software. First, if you are running one or more Macintosh computers on your network, you will need to ensure that the software on the network drive you purchase is compatible with your Apple. Secondly, some software products allow you to view your backed up data remotely, using the internet. This can be handy, especially if you travel frequently.
If you plan to back up to a remote server, you will need to set up the software particular to the commercial provider to whose services you are subscribing. The cost of this software should be included in the subscription fee that you are paying.
Is it difficult or easy?
Setting up a home-based network is not for the computer-challenged. If your idea of a server is someone bringing you food, then you probably should not attempt to set up your own network. IT companies can come and do this for you, and can help you establish your backup schedule. Another good solution is to take the option of subscribing to a remote hosting service. If you are more IT savvy, you will probably be able to follow the manufacturer’s instructions associated with your router and server and will be able to set up your own network. From here, you can use the Backup Wizard of your operating system to automate backups to the network drive.
How reliable are the backups?
Maintaining a network can be a constant challenge, however having your data backed up to a network drive and, possibly, mirrored on a second drive is a fairly reliable method of data backup. The problem is that your data is all stored in the one physical location, which can be a problem in the event of a fire or other natural disaster. In this respect, storing your files on a secure remote server is a good idea. A second advantage of storing data on the server of a reputable commercial provider is that they will offer you a service guarantee. Since the provider is highly accountable, it is likely that their own backup strategies will be very robust and your chances of losing data are minimized.
Backing up your data to either a local or remote network is a good idea if you have a large volume of data. Using the software associated with your network drive, or that associated with your operating system, you can easily automate the backup process.
Hard Drive Backup
BACK UP TO HARD DRIVE
Creating a backup of your data on a separate partition of your computer’s hard drive, or on a hard drive external to your computer is a good way to ensure that your data will be safe if the unthinkable happens and you suffer some form of hard drive failure.
What equipment is needed?
If the hard drive of your computer is partitioned into several sections, such as a C and D drive, then you can back up your C drive data onto your D drive, and vice versa. It should go without saying that, although it is possible to create a backup of your hard drive and save it onto the same drive, it’s a bad idea, because if you single hard drive fails, your original and back ups will all be lost.
An external hard drive is a better option for data backup and recovery. There are many types of external hard drives, manufactured by various companies, with varying degrees of reliability and storage capacity.
What software is needed?
Software, such as TrueImage, Norton Ghost or System Restore, can be used to completely mirror your hard drive onto an external source. This means that you have copies of all your computer data, operating system and programs. After a system crash, you can restore the whole system, or can simply replace lost or corrupted files and folders.
Is it difficult or easy?
If you are manually doing a hard drive backup, or if you are backing up a large amount of data that is stored in a number of file locations, then this can be a little tricky. If you are only backing up a partition of your hard drive, you need to remember to back up the Partition Table as well. If you are backing up your entire drive, the Partition Table will be automatically updated. You also need to remember to shut down all applications and programs before beginning your backup, especially those that may modify files on the backed up partition. For many users who are not computer-savvy, using a software program to automate the file backup process is a good option. These programs can not only make it easier to restore your data in the instance that your system fails, but can take the complexity out of copying files to a hard disk.
How reliable are the backups?
Backups to hard drive are fairly reliable, especially if you have used a software program to create the mirrored data. This is particularly useful when you are trying to restore files or folders after a system crash. Overall, the advantage of backing up to an external drive compared to a partition of your computer’s hard drive is that your data is stored in two physically separate locations. In the event that your computer is destroyed or stolen, you will have another copy of your data.
The reliability of your backed up data is also dependent on the properties of the hard drive on which it is backed up. Whilst all hard drives must meet international standards before they are allowed to be marketed, some brands of hard disk are considered more reliable than others. Again, checking out reviews of products can help you make your decision about which hard drive is the best option for your backup plan.
Backup data and Backup Online
Online storage and online backup are becoming one of the most popular methods of storing and backing up computer files of all types, from documents to music
So, what are the benefits of online storage and online backup?
Well, apart from the obvious benefits of backing up your records using any conventional means, such as tape backup or CD-ROMs etc. online backup and online storage has a number of unique benefits. The backup is stored away from your home or place of business; therefore anything that happens there will not affect the online file backup information.
Your online file storage can be accessed from any PC with an internet connection, which is particularly useful for business users. This is obviously subject to security measures but means that you could set up your business in another location should it be necessary. It is also useful if you have a very mobile workforce or employees working from home as they can also have access to the online storage.
Online backup can also be cheaper in the long run than other means of back-up as you don’t need to buy any extra hardware, software or storage media yourself. It is also automated so it can happen at night; even when you are asleep!
Online storage is easy to use and offers you the peace of mind that you can access the data should the worst happen and the only information that may have been lost is that produced since the last online file backup occurred.
Here are some key points to look for in an online backup or online storage provider:
Security
This is a major concern and is, after all, why you are looking for an online storage provider. You need to be sure that their system has adequate firewalls and encryption to keep your online file storage secure.
Backup
You are going to use this company as YOUR online backup so you want to be sure that they have adequate backup themselves in the event of a problem at their workplace.
Cost
Of course, cost is an issue but you may want to weigh up different additional services that are offered by the online storage company.
Speed
How long will it take to retrieve your data from the online storage server? This especially applies as the provider will encrypt your data; you need to know how long it will take to retrieve it in a form that you can use.
Frequency
How often are you going to want your online file backup to be performed? Daily, twice-weekly or whatever frequency depends on the volume of information that changes on your computer. You may even want your online backup performed hourly!
Contact
This may seem a bit out of place seeing as the online backup is going to be automated but it is very important that you can access someone at the company 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. The last thing you want is for all their staff to be on holiday just as you really need them to help you with an online storage issue.
Experience
There are an ever-growing number of online backup companies cropping up every day. The best way to choose one in the end is often by word-of-mouth. This will give you a better idea of how the online backup company really performs when needed.
There are plenty of options that you can use to backup your data, using an online backup company may or may not be the best for you but I am sure of one thing – crossing your fingers isn’t!
Back up files to a Jump Drive or Flash Memory
Jump drives and flash drives have become dirt cheap. Some jump drives are only a few dollars or free after rebate.
The capacity of a flash drive can be 2 gigabytes or more, which is about the same storage capacity as 3 CD’s. However, because your computer’s hard drive could be 60-gigabytes, 100-gigabytes, or more. So, it’s impossible to back up your entire computer to a jump drive, but you can use a jump drive to safely back up and store your e-mail, documents and most important computer files.
Jump drives are extremely portable. Many USB flash drives are small enough and lightweight enough to fit on a key chain. This means that you can take your data with you wherever you go, without having to lug heavy equipment, or CD wallets.
Some manufacturers make flash drives that are partitioned into public and private components. The private partition is password-protected, which can be useful if you wish to backup data sensitive data securely.
What equipment is needed?
Jump drives connect to your computer through a USB port, so you’ll need to make sure your computer has one. Search this website for USB ports for more information about them
What software is needed?
You do not need software to create a backup on a flash drive. To create backed up files, you simply need to insert the flash drive and drag and drop the necessary files into the flash drive. Although no software is necessary for backup, some USB flash drives, known as “smart drives”, are bundled with software that allows programs to run from the USB drive when it is plugged into your computer. Typically, the bundled software enables you to encrypt the data that you store on the flash drive or to run instant messaging services or personalized web browsers. In terms of data backup, the capacity to encrypt sensitive data stored on the USB drive is a useful feature.
If you are not running Microsoft Windows 98 or above, you may need to install a USB driver in order for the flash drive to be compatible. The manufacturer of your flash drive can provide you with the necessary driver.
Is it difficult or easy?
Creating a backup on a USB flash drive is very simple to do. You simply need to drag and drop files from their location on your hard drive, to the flash location. Whilst this is a simple process to perform, it can be a little confusing and onerous if you are trying to copy files from multiple locations in your computer to your flash drive. You also need to remember to make the backup yourself.
How reliable are the backups?
Backing up to a flash drive is only really an option if you have a small volume of data. You cannot back up your operating system files, or programs on a flash drive because they are simply too big. Flash drives do tend to have limited instances of reading and writing, meaning that you should not be using them as your primary backup, especially over long durations. In the instance where you need to regularly backup larger files, you may need to consider using an external hard drive or rewritable CD or DVD
Tiny, relatively inexpensive and extremely portable, flash drives are a great way to simply and temporarily store small amounts of data.
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