We’ve stressed the importance of backing up personal
files in several previous newsletters. This is particularly important on
laptops since it is more difficult to retrieve data from a damaged laptop
drive. This is due to the large number of different types of connectors that
laptop hard drives often use. Most desktops on the other hand, usually employ
more standard drive connectors, which makes life much easier when data recovery
is required.
Retrieving data from a damaged laptop drive can cost
anywhere from $500 to $2000. For this reason backups are essential to avoid
data loss and unreasonable expenses. Backups can be accomplished using one of
three common media types. The laptop can in some cases be backed up to the file
server if it has sufficient capacity. This sometimes slows down the server and
is best done after hours.
More commonly personal files are backed up to either
CD-Writers or Flash Drives. If your laptop has a CD-Writer or DVD-Writer this
is a good option as the media is quite inexpensive. Multiple versions can even
be retained. Another faster, albeit more expensive, route is to use a flash
drive. Any computer that has USB ports can use a flash drive, which makes them
popular on older laptops in particular, as these usually don’t have CD-Writers
or DVD-Writers installed.
Files that are backed up on a flash drive can be taken
home and loaded onto a home computer, as well, for safekeeping. Flash drives
are ideal when it comes to transporting larger files back and forth from home.
Flash drives are about three inches in length and can fit in a pocket or attach
to your key chain.
Most flash drives automatically configure as your E:
drive but in some network environments you may have to reboot your computer
before you can access them.
The location of many personal files varies dependant on
the Operating System you are using. On Windows 95, 98 & ME common files can
be found in the following locations:
C: \My Documents
C: \Windows \Desktop
C: \Windows \Favorites
C: \Windows \Application Data
\ Microsoft
\ Outlook
C: \Windows \Application Data \Identities
\ Microsoft
\ Outlook Express
This covers MS-Office, Outlook and Outlook Express
Files. Other software may store files in different locations so you need to
tailor your backups to match those locations.
In Windows 2000 & Windows XP most personal files are
located in private folders under the name of the user of the computer. In Windows
XP Home Edition this user is often called “USER” and this will be used in the
examples below. Some folders are hidden by Windows, and you must adjust Folder
Options to display hidden files to see them:
C: \Documents And Settings \ User \
\ My Documents
\ Desktop
\ Favorites
\ Local
Settings \ Application Data \
\ Microsoft
\ Outlook
\ Local
Settings \ Application Data \
\ Identities
\ Microsoft \ Outlook Express
Copying the entire User folder is not possible without
using third party software, since Windows constantly uses some files in this
area and this causes simple copies and drag & drop operations to fail.
Specific folders and or file types must be specified to avoid this.