Re: List of files to save?

From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 02/13/05 

Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 06:25:03 -0800

Laurel wrote:

> I don't use the Backup tool (although I didn't know it existed),
> because I
> have a service that backs my stuff up to an off site location. It
> runs
> automatically. But I have to tell it what folders and/or files I want
> backed up.
>
> Maybe I should use XP backup with a folder on my hard drive as a
> destination, and then mark that folder for backup???? I'll look into
> the site you cite below.
>

Laurel, basically no one can tell you what files you need to back up
aside from generalizations because no one but you knows what is on your
computer. The general rule-of-thumb is that you back up data that
*you've* created; things that you would miss if you had to reinstall
clean. This means all documents, Outlook or Outlook Express
addressbooks and calendars (etc.), Favorites, any data created in
programs like QuickBooks or other third-party programs that might have
special Backup/Restore routines (like QB). You need to go through your
computer carefully and look at what programs you use and look in their
Help files to learn how that program handles your data. Here are some
links for information about Outlook and OE to help you figure out how
to back up data from those programs:

http://www.insideoe.com - MVP Tom Koch's definitive site about Outlook
Express
http://www.slipstick.com/ - Everything you wanted to know about Outlook

On a standalone machine, it is good practice to keep all your personal
files in My Documents or at least in one place so backups are
simplified. You can routinely export your favorites from whatever
browser you use to a file in My Documents. One common mistake I've seen
clients make is to create lots of folders directly on the Desktop with
files in them. These folders often get missed in a backup. It's a
better idea to create the folders inside My Documents and then make
shortcuts to them on the Desktop.

In order to quickly restore an entire partition or drive, you need
imaging software to create an image at a particular point in time.
Examples of this third-party software are Norton Ghost, Acronis
TrueImage, and BootIT NG. Usually people will create an image of a
system shortly after the system is set up, when one gets Windows
exactly how one will always want it. Then data backups are done
regularly, once a week or month depending on your computer usage.

HTH,

Malke 

-- 
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Relevant Pages

  • Re: outlook files
    ... >>*.pst file. ... >>Outlook 2003 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: How do I install the PST backup tool if it is already installe
    ... Presumably the Hotmail accounts are visible in the Outlook Folder Tree View; ... selecting options allows you to select whch folders to backup. ...
    (microsoft.public.outlook.general)
  • Re: OE6 on one computer to a different computer with Vista and Outlook 2007 - Steps?
    ... 'Outlook 2007 File Locations' ... Explorer and select *Show hidden files and folders*. ... Vista replaces Documents and Settings folder path with a Users path. ... backup .pst file. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.mail)
  • Re: Outlook 2007 and Backup?
    ... From Outlook, click on Tools and then Account Settings. ... your backup PST file folders should appear in the left portion of the ...
    (microsoft.public.office.misc)
  • Re: Outlook Express
    ... When I open Outlook my address book is ... > there but folders lost. ... Because of this tendency of attachments to infect, Microsoft has now set OE to block all attachments. ... If you choose to adjust OE to allow attachments, make sure you save the attachment to disk first and then scan it with your antivirus software. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress)
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