How to Back Up Hard Drives

Back up hard drives to ensure safe storage of valuable files. Computer users keep files for business, entertainment and memorabilia stored in folders on hard drives. These files are vulnerable to loss if they're not backed up. A virus attack or hard-drive crash leaves users to try data recovery or simply to start over. Store files on external drives or CDs to keep them safe no matter what happens to your computer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• External hard drive Writable CDs Floppy disks or flash drive

How to Back Up Hard Drives

1. Review stored files before backing them up. Eliminate any that are no longer useful or wanted. Delete files containing unwanted graphics and photos, films or music, especially as they occupy more space than pure text files.

2. Back up hard drives with external hard drives. Plug an external hard drive into a USB or FireWire port on your computer. Many external hard drives are plug and play. The installation, software and drivers load automatically when plugged into a computer. Others have software on CD. External hard-drive software can be set to automatically input new data at scheduled times for storage, or allow users to select which data is stored.

3. Back up hard drives by storing files on CDs. Insert a writable CD in the CD tray. Select files to be saved. Right click a file name or icon. Roll the cursor over the "send to" option to show a list of destination choices. Click the "CD drive" selection to send the file or folder to the CD for storage.

4. Store files on floppy disks. Floppy disks have little storage space, so several may be required to hold all important files. Slip a floppy into the floppy-disk drive. Select and right click files to be stored. Use the "send to" option and select "floppy or A drive" for the destination.

5. Store files on a flash drive. Keep in mind that flash drives have a limited retention time, and can only be erased and recorded over for a limited number of uses. Despite advances in flash-drive technology, these devices are considered most useful for temporary storage or transfer of data. Plug the flash drive into a USB port. The computer will add it to the list of destinations available on the "send to" option for file transfers.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Windows software for XP operating systems to manage and expedite backups. Check your XP system for the backup option. Click the "start" button, then roll the cursor over "all programs," then "accessories," then "system tools" to see if "backup" is one of the tools available. If not, it can be installed from an XP disk. Instructions for installation and use are on the Windows XP page at microsoft.com.

Resources

• Backup software for Windows XP from Microsoft