Backing Up: A Cautionary Tale
I’m pretty good about backing up my data: I have several routines, some automatic, some manual, that provide me with multiple backups secured at various locations. Here’s one of my earlier posts about backup strategy. But yesterday I discovered that’s not enough.
Over the weekend, I installed and activated a new file management program. Almost immediately, my computer system went haywire. At first, I thought it was an imminent hard disk failure. Immediately, I invoked one of my manual backup schemes, but it failed — and the computer shut down unceremoniously I spent much of yesterday trying to re-start Windows XP, amid various blues screens and error messages. I nearly paniced.
As I thought through my vulnerabilities, I realized that one must back up MORE than just one’s data. What if, I thought, I have to reformat my disk and reinstall Windows? I once had to do that years ago, and I can tell you it’s no fun. One can easily lose everything: all programs must be reinstalled, user preferences must be recreated, and more.
First, I realized that the programs that I have downloaded and installed have not been backed up for over a year. Recent software installation files exist only in my “Essential Programs” folder under Downloads. I don’t even have an up-to-date list of those programs. Many of those programs are writing-related, programs I’ve already reviewed here, or have in my “review queue.” Some of those programs must be active on my computer in order to open their datafiles. I suddenly realized that my well-preserved data might be impossible to open without repurchasing the underlying software — and I’m talking about hundreds of dollars of software not properly backed up. Moreover, while I keep good track of the “registration code” for each software — I use SoftCAT Pro, whose data is properly backed up — I realized I would have to repurchase that software to get back to that data. OUCH!!! And to reinstall all my programs, with the proper registration code, I would need the original downloaded program files — otherwise I would have to repurchase all of them.
MAJOR POINT: if you have essential downloaded software on your computer, be sure to backup the installation files somewhere safe — either on a CD/DVD disk or to some backup location outside of your own computer. And keep this backup updated.
MAJOR POINT: Fortunately, I keep pretty good track of the registation codes of my installed software via SoftCAT Pro. Do you have your registration serial numbers handy in a secure place? If not, think about setting up a backup system.
MAJOR POINT: I have all of my passwords catalogued in a secure software program. But I realized yesterday that I did not have a back up of the program’s installation program, or even a safely secured note about that program’s registration serial number. GOSH!!! I stood on the verge of finding it impossible to retrieve my password file. If you keep your passwords somewhere — to programs and websites — do you have a backup plan to be able to access them in case of a computer failure?
Recommended How-To Save Yourself Articles:
I’ve come across today a couple of recent online articles at PC World that I have printed out to help me take the proper insurance steps to protect myself of computer failure. You may wish to check them out yourself and to print out copies to have on hand.
The Good News
Fortunately, after arduously saving everything I could and printing out my entire passwords database of 44 pages, I finally entered the Windows XP “Restore Point” rountine [you’ll find it in Accessories>System] and chose a restore point of 4 days ago, when everything was working properly. I chewed my fingernails down to nothing as I waited for this routine to complete its task, which took much longer than I would have imagined. BUT it worked! I’m back up and running — and busy doing the backups that I now understand are fundamental.
If you do not know about XP’s Restore Points facility, you may wish to take a look at a full explanation by PC World’s how-to guru Steve Bass.
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I keep pretty good backups of the stuff I need, although I should probably do a better job. My son has a Mac, and the built-in Time Machine software is simply incredible. You’ve never seen such an easy-to-use, powerful backup interface. It’s amazing, and it’s completely automatic.
It’s one reason why my next machine will be a Mac. And there are many others.