How to Back Up a Hard Drive

Backing up a hard drive is an activity that many computer users neglect to do on a regular basis. The hard drive holds all of the information input by the user and stores all of those data on small delicate plates. Any failure of these parts can result in significant or even total loss of data.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Data storage drives
• Recordable media

1. Locate the important files on the hard drive. These files are on the main drive letter or C-drive letter. Look for document, picture or specific application files.
2. Find a method of transferring files to another location or media. Many software manufacturers offer applications that automatically search for and back up crucial computer data.
3. Place blank CD or DVD media into the computer's drive designated as a recording drive. Format the media according to the media's manufacturer's instructions if required.
4. Consider moving data files to other locations when backing them up. Use another hard drive at another location to receive the files or data. Off-site locations offer a sensible alternative to on-site servers.
5. Move the data files to a thumb or flash drive for a temporary storage location. These devices typically plug into a computer's USB port. These small hard drives act as a temporary removable storage drive.
6. Look for a computer that utilizes a RAID hard drive configuration. This method uses two hard drives that mirror each other and record exact copies of one another. If one hard drive fails, the mirror drive still contains all of the information.
7. Think about using online hard drive backup websites. Websites such as Xdrive offer a safe haven for data files. These websites allow the user to upload backed up data files to an online location for safekeeping and retrieval.

Tips & Warnings

• Use software like Drive Image and Norton Ghost to take an image of the hard drive. This image is then transferred to media and used to restore all of the information contained on the original hard drive.
• Connect an external hard drive with a USB 2.0 cable for fast hard drive backups.
• Never drop or handle hard drives roughly.

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