I have a lot of data I need for work. It would be real bad to lose it.
I did learn about backing it up!
Hello Mike,
If your data is more valuable than your hardware, then, backing up your data is a MUST but you can simplify the process somewhat, but also prepare you for worst-case scenarios.
You can simplify your backups by creating a "separate" partition on your hard drive and storing your live data on that partition ("separate" as in separate from your
OS, programs/applications). You, then, have several options of copying the live data from the separate partition onto, say, a rewritable CD/DVD, flash drive/memory stick, on-line backup, another computer, etc.
OR... You could create more than one "separate" partitions on your hard drive, store your live data on one partition, copy the live data onto the other partition for a readily-accessible backup copy, and continue to copy the live data onto CD/DVD, memory stick, etc.
By having a copy of your data OFF the computer, your are, then, prepared to address the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic hardware crash (e.g., hard drive hardware crash). Simply bring another PC into the picture, partition the hard drive accordingly, install the
OS, programs/applications, then copy the data back onto the replacement computer.
If performance becomes an issue because the single hard drive has been partitioned, simply install separate hard drives for each partition needed.
If your data is that mission-critical, you should store the backup copies off-site (in case of a "disaster" like a fire, water pipe leak/damage, etc.). After spending several years in IT disaster recovery (I was involved in data recovery for banks affected by the first WTC bombing -- one customer did not return to the data center in the WTC until six weeks after), I have seen it come true about "an ounce of prevention..."
Regards,
Franko
