How to Build a Computer Backup System

To prevent data loss, you should build a backup system on your computer. If your computer is backed up to an external hard drive on a regular basis, then you will be able to restore files in case some data are accidentally erased. PC owners can use the included Backup utility program, while Mac owners can use Time Machine to back up their computers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC running Windows XP or later or Mac running OS X 10.5 or later
• External hard drive

PC Instructions

1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Open the Backup utility program in the System Tools folder of the All Programs list.

3. Choose the "Back up files and settings" option and click "Next."

4. Select "All information on this computer" from the list of backup options, and then click "Next" again.

5. Click on the browse button and navigate to the external hard drive. Create a new folder on the external hard drive to store the backup data and click "Save."

6. Click "Finish" to begin the backup process. Depending on the size of your computer's hard drive, the backup process could take up to an hour to complete.

Mac Instructions

7. Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a USB or Firewire cable. A pop-up window will open and ask if you want to use this hard drive with Time Machine.

8. Choose "Yes" in the pop-up window.

9. Open System Preferences by clicking on the icon in the Dock.

10. Go to the Time Machine control panel underneath the System heading.

11. Move the Time Machine slider to the "On" option if it is not there already. Complete backups will now begin and will run on an hourly basis.