How to Create a Backup of Photos Using a Computer

Be prepared for any disaster that could destroy your home. One way to ensure you'll have your keepsake photos forever is to create back up discs with all of your photos on them, so that in case of a disaster, you can reprint hard copies of those precious photos. It's also convenient if you want to share photos. Bringing along a disc is easier than tugging around scrapbooks or albums.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with a CD-R or CD-RW
• Blank disc(s)
• Fire-proof safe

1. Take all your photos from albums and frames and scan them onto your computer by laying them on the scanner bed and pressing the scan button.

2. Save them to a folder named "backup pictures" on your computer's desktop by choosing "File" and "Save as."

3. Insert any other discs of your photos into your CD-ROM drive and "Select All" from the "Edit" menu. Then right click and save them to the same folder.

4. Name or rename your photos and organize the folder however you want. You may order them in date order, alphabetical order or by events. You can also create sub-folders inside the large folder and organize your pictures that way.

5. Open your folder. If you are using Windows XP, choose "copy all items to CD" from the left side menu. If you are using an older version of Windows, you can right-click on the folder (don't open it) and choose "send to" and pick your disc drive. Another option is to right-click the folder, choose "copy" and then find your disc drive and paste it there.

6. Take a blank disc and insert it into your disc drive on your computer.

7. Watch as the computer starts copying, giving you a progress bar.

8. Click the bubble that pops up in Windows XP in your lower right hand corner of your computer screen that says "You have files waiting to be written to the CD."

9. Choose "Write these files to CD" from the Windows XP menu on the left side of the window to put all your pictures on this disc.

10. Remove the backup disc from the computer that contains all your stored photos.

11. Use a permanent marker to label the CD.

12. Place the backup disc into a case and store it in a fire-proof safe or in a safety deposit box at the bank.

Tips & Warnings

• For double the security, make multiple copies and give them to friends or family to keep for you.

• If all your pictures do not fit on one disc, copy them onto multiple discs.

• Do not delete the photos from your computer until you check the disc to be certain all files were saved effectively.