Flashlights

I had a computer crash once, and for about two weeks after it happened I had a hard time falling asleep each night. I was worried about what files or photos I was going to realize I had lost forever since I didn’t have anything backed up.

Since then I’ve setup an easy to use online backup solution that automatically loads my files to a secure online backup server and keeps the backup set updated as I add new files to the mix.

How did I set this system up, and save my sleepless nights for another time? That’s what I’m going to describe in this article.

Keep it Simple Stupid

I had a friend who suggested that instead of setting up an online backup service I should opt to buy an external hard drive and a piece of backup software. He said I would have more control over the whole process.

What my friend didn’t understand was I didn’t want another task I had to manage instead I wanted an easy to set and forget system that would automate my backup of files and data all at once.

I had read about services like Carbonite on an backup software reviews websites. They had described how easy the process was to setup and how their system was superior to the competition.

Of course I’m not one to take one opinion as gospel so I set out looking for some additional Carbonite reviews. Everything I read seemed to be positive. The file transfer was reliable, it was easy to add new files, folders and directories to the backup set and it was easy to access my backed up files from an icon on my desktop.

I didn’t see any real negative to the service, other then there were a few less expensive options. Of course I also believe that you get what you pay for, so I took the plunge and bought a two year plan from Carbonite.

So far it’s been smooth sailing and I hope it stays that way.

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It’s the one PC task we should all know how to do, backing up files.Of course that is until you lose everything in a software crash or hard ware failure.

In this article I speak from personal experience, so trust me when I say there is no better time then right now to get started with an online computer backup, and that’s where we’ll start in this article.

Let’s Get Started

Backing up your computer online is the least painful way of ensuring your important files are saved some where else besides your hard drive. There’s no need for blank DVD’s, CD’s, external hard drives, USB drives etc.All of your important files and folders are kept securely on an online storage server for a small monthly fee until you might need to access it because of data loss.

To get started visit Mozy Home backup, their service offers a free trial account you can use to get things started.After signing up you’ll need to download the small application used to select your files for backup and upload them to the secure backup server location online.

Which Files and Folders Should I Backup?

Most backup programs online, including Mozy Home Backup, select your My Documents folder as the default backup files and folders.Most documents will be in your My Documents folder, you should also add in any system settings files, and your email folders and address book.

If you’ve ever bought any software and had to download it and haven’t made a copy also add in those files.

Is the process complete?

Once you’ve chosen what files to backup, you simply tell Mozy to start the initial backup and that’s it.All Done! The first backup will take some time since you are uploading a lot of data over your Internet connection.

Of course the good news is that once the initial backup is complete that’s it. Those files won’t need to be uploaded again unless their updated or modified in some way. The only items that will be uploaded will be as new files are added to the directories you’ve chosen to backup, and also if old files are changed in some way.

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Most people that use disk imaging tools are really unaware if their disk image is going to work properly. Why? Because few people have to test their hard drive images until something goes wrong.It should be something everyone checks because when you recognize it’s not working after a crash it’s to late because the data is gone.

Educating yourself on the right disk imaging tools and learning how to check your backup are two easy ways to rest easy that you’re backed up safely.

Using the right tool for the job

There are several disk imaging software titles to choose from.One of the more popular programs is made by Norton, the large PC utilities company called Ghost.Ghost has been around for many years, and through my research I’ve read that a lot of users of Norton’s product found their images didn’t work so well when they needed to recover with the,

The new breed of disk imaging tools led by Acronis True Image Home edition is more promising.

To learn more about this program specifically check out these Acronis True Image reviews.

Ensuring you Disk Image is Good

Using a tool like Acronis creates a system restore disk. So rather then just an image of your hard drive you’re left with a complete restore system that you can boot from should your entire PC crash.What does this mean for you? well you don’t just get a backup of your files. You also get your system settings, registry, email, startup folder etc. all backed up in one easy to re-install place.

Doing an Image Test

Even though you might be 100% sure your image is good still check it to ensure you can restore or access your data.Why Should you Test? Well as mentioned before if you don’t test the results of your backup software you could find out the hard way that things didn’t backup correctly, or the disk and files are corrupt.

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Is your backup program heavy?

If you’ve ever lost important computer files, chances are that you’ve looked into various kinds of backup technologies.These systems are usually tape or hard-drive based that you need to take somewhere else to ensure it being safe from theft, viruses and calamities, and keep everything in it recoverable.Only when someone actually handles the hardware can the system assure complete safety and recoverability.

Breaking Up With Your Old Backup

So here comes the automated online backup system, solving the perennial problem of data storage mentioned previously. Professionally managed servers are used as online backup storage by Carbonite or Mozy, companies that offer such services.

Know Mozy More

Mozy is arguably the best solution at present as it not only incorporates a backup utility, but it also features a powerful scheduler capable of setting backups for convenient times as well as allowing users to limit the amount of network bandwidth utilized during hours you want to use the Internet. This ensures that backing up data doesn’t cause your other activities to be put on pause.

In that wise, Mozy can back up the information while it is being used so you don’t need to close the program just to back up the information.Exiting the program just to back up the files is time consuming, and anyone who used other programs can say so. See this more detailed Mozy review to learn more about Mozy’s: performance, features, costs and what it can do for you.

Mozy’s best feature is probably the automatic back up activity it does when you have initially familiarized yourself with the method and set the subsequent back up schedules.If your files get infected or corrupted, you can copy from Mozy’s several back up versions to replace them. That is probably Mozy’s next best feature.

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