Despite my best efforts, this past week I lost both my primary and secondary computer systems. After losing my primary desktop several years ago, I vowed I would never let myself be caught without an operating PC. As they say, “the road to h*ll is paved with good intentions,” and I once again was caught with my proverbial pants down without an operating computer when my desktop, which had been exhibiting some problem signs in the last month, died suddenly and would not turn on.

I then went to my laptop, which I had admittedly been lazy about keeping updated, and turned it on. Immediately the Windows update process started, and asked me install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Having done that successfully on my desktop, I wasn’t too worried about any installation problems on the laptop. However, upon completing the installation, the blue screen of death appeared, which is NEVER a good sign with a Windows-based system.

After trying for about an hour without success to revive my laptop (which is only 8 months old and still under warranty), I knew that I was in trouble and starting looking for alternatives. Fortunately, my husband keeps a laptop on hand that he uses for gaming when we travel, and he generously offered to let me install my programs and files on it until I could repair one of my computers.

After finally acknowledging that there was no way I could have foreseen this situation, I decided that I needed to s*ck it up, get over, and move on. So, I’m making do with a partially customized laptop that will do until one or the other of my PCs is returned.

Despite having gone through similar situations previously, I still learned a few new things along the way about data recovery and computer backup. Here are the 10 most effective tools that saved my bacon during my recent computer meltdown.

1. Automatic backup software. I’ve been using 2 online backups, Carbonite and Syncplicity. I have had to restore from Carbonite previously, and I found the process to be lengthy and somewhat confusing. So, several months ago I began using Syncplicity because it offers online access to all backed up files as well as the ability to synchronize an unlimited number of computers. However, it has taken a week to restore 20 GB of data with Syncplicity, and some of the data was wasn’t really restored, despite what Syncplicity told me in my account. However, I can easily download this missing info to my computer from the online vault. One process that makes this backup system easier is that I store all of my data files in My Docs so I don’t have to hunt them down in Program Files, or wherever they are typically stored.

2. Email client software. I still use the dinosaur Eudora for my email client. Old habits die hard, I suppose. However, somehow I missed marking some key Eudora folders to back up, and so I was initially using my webmail access providing by my hosting company to access email because of this oversight with Eudora. I began to tire of that quickly, as I had no way to create additional folders in those systems, so I then decided to manually configure Eudora and open folders and emails as I need them in the program. This experience has made me very tempted to change all of my incoming and outgoing email servers on all domains to Gmail just to have access to everything online, come hurricane, flood, tornado, or computer crash.

3. Bookmark service. I’m an avid researcher and resource collector, so having access to my bookmarks, or favorites file, is vital to my day-to-day operations. I had been using Spurl, but because of frequent periodic outages of their service, I’ve changed to Foxmarks. I like that this service offers me the ability to access all of these online, as well as have them at my fingertips any time I need them from my Bookmarks menu as well as easily synchronize them to any computer.

4. Contact management. Even though I don’t use Outlook for email, I do use it for calendar and contact management. I had been using Plaxo as an online backup for my contacts, but it doesn’t permit me to store my notes about each contact. I’ve been using Airset now for several months, and it regularly syncs my contacts (with notes) and my calendar to their online service. I found this much more convenient than trying to restore a backup PST file to Outlook and then repeating that again when my primary computer is returned. Instead, I just make changes to contacts and my calendar on Airset, and I’ll just sync that to Outlook on my desktop.

5. Passwords. I’ve been using Roboform for years to help me manage my passwords. I’ve got my Roboform data in My Docs, so it was a breeze to reinstall Roboform and copy the data folder to the new computer and permit me to access all of the sites requiring a password and username. Finally, something that worked seamlessly!

6. Project Management. Smartsheet has been my project management service for the last few months. I love that it has the ability to create an item and allow you to attach a document and discussion to that item. Rather than having to hunt down information about a project, all I had to do was log into my Smartsheet account and there it was.

7. Software licenses. Roughly 99% of the new software I install is downloaded and I don’t get a physical copy on CD. Therefore, I make sure that I have the downloaded version in a My Downloads folder that’s a part of My Docs file, which is backed up regularly. And, I make a PDF copy of the software license that I get by email and store in a Software folder, also in My Docs. Lastly, I purchased a very inexpensive program, Registration Vault, that lets me store all of my software license and purchase info and permits me to back up my data to My Docs. As I had to reinstall software on a new computer, it was easy to restore the Registration Vault files, get my software license number, and have a fully functioning piece of software within minutes.

8. Accounting. I use Quickbooks for my accounting needs, and while they do offer an online version, I haven’t yet moved to that. Instead, I back up Quickbooks after every use in the My Docs folder. When I needed to invoice consulting clients at the beginning of this month, all I had to do was reinstall Quickbooks and restore my latest backup. I instantly had everything I needed again at my fingertips.

9. Alternate free services. Some software I use, like CuteFTP and TraxTime, don’t permit data backups. So, I really do have to start all over with my FTP info and my time tracking info when my computer dies. Rather than installing these programs on the new computer, I just used some free alternatives to get me through. FireFTP, a Firefox add-on, has worked quite well for me as my FTP client, and MyHours.com has stood in fairly well for TraxTime, although it requires a few more steps for operation than TraxTime.

10. Email marketing. While not a tool, I discovered that both text and HTML versions of email broadcasts matter in email marketing. I wasn’t initially able to get my normal email client up and running, so I was reading my email from my webmail systems. I’ve got 2 hosting accounts, and the newer one has a fairly sophisticated webmail system and let me read HTML emails with no problem. The other, however, doesn’t permit HTML viewing. So, those emails sent only in HTML were ones that I was unable to read. If you’re wise and your email marketing program permits you to send emails out in both plain text and HTML, do it, even though it might seem like a needless pain. You just never know how members of your list might be forced to ready your emails.

As you might gather, I’ve discovered that online services have provided me with the greatest backup to help me through this computer crisis. My lesson? Duplicate as much as you can in online systems. In this way, you’ll have access to your data when you travel, when you have a computer crash, or when you’re faced with a natural disaster.

]]> http://priceburner.com/online-backup/167/computer-backup/online-backup-protect-your-computers-files/feed/ 2 http://priceburner.com/online-backup/144/computer-backup/how-can-i-backup-my-computer-files/ http://priceburner.com/online-backup/144/computer-backup/how-can-i-backup-my-computer-files/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 12:12:27 +0000 Nick Kurentz http://priceburner.com/online-backup/144/computer-backup/how-can-i-backup-my-computer-files/ What is the best way to backup computer files? I know there is a tool on Windows XP that backs up files for you but are there better and more efficient ways of backing up files? When you backup files does the computer reduce or compress the size of the files (For example, if I wanted to back up 60GB then the computer would back it up and compress it to 10GB)?

Don’t Spend a Lot of Money on Fancy Gadgets

One of the biggest issues with buying anything technological is buying more features then are needed to get a job done. Why does this occur? Most of the time it’s because we start doing research about the different features available and then start dreaming about how great it would be if the software could do this or that. The reality is we almost never use those technical features, and they end up being as waste of money. When selecting a form of computer backup storage keep this simple feature free idea in mind. Most times a USB drive (flash drive) or regular old DVD-R’s will get the job done. High tech alternatives such as tape backups and secondary hard drives will just complicate the issue.

Keep the Backup Software Simple

Having a place to keep all your files after they’re backed up is one step, of course before you can do this you have to create a backup. There is a simple way to do this with windows if you don’t want to buy anything additional. You could create a backup of everything with windows archive and burn the file to a DVD. Of course software alternatives will make it easier to update files in the backup set as they change and reduce the time you have to actually spend manually doing the work. Some of the applications that can make this easier are Genie Backup Manager and Acronis True Image Home. Both of these programs offer simple to use formats, and allow you to pick and choose what files and folders you can to backup. You only need to do this once and the software will automatically remember to keep all new files in your backup set in those folders. The key here is don’t get to weighted down in fancy features. All this does is slow you down and often you won’t complete your backup because of all the options.

Consider Doing it All Online

A great alternative to buying some type of media for computer backup storage and software to go with it are online backup services. These companies provide storage space for files online so it’s off site and secure. A simple software application that is downloaded to your PC handles the process of uploading the files you want backed up and restoring the files is easy as pie. If you take one thing away form this article the thing to remember is that you must take action. Not backing up your files today leaves one more day for something to crash and you lose all of your important photos, videos, music and more. There’s never been a better moment then this one to get started with computer backup storage. Just remember keep it simple and take action, because after you have a PC crash it’s to late.

There are many ways to backup your critical computer files. You can do a formal backup, you can drag individual files and folders to a separate drive, you can create CDs and DVDs, and you can even upload important files to a storage spot on the internet.

Formal backup programs often create zip files of your data. They save space, but you will have to restore the everything to access just one of your files. Not convenient. CDs and DVDs have to be lugged around, and it can be difficult to find the latest versions of documents.

If you create the right kind of backups, you will do more than simply have files you can restore. You will create an interactive file system that you can use daily as extra hard drive space and smart file organization, as well as having up-to-date backup copies of all of your important data.

Create Backups You Can Really Use – Synchronize Your Files

You can create a backup system that is easy to maintain — and provides instant access to your data on an individual file basis. Data protection that is also useful on a day to day basis.

Critical Aspects of a Backup System for Your Data

Easy to use: Set the system up once and then it basically runs itself on a pre-set schedule.

Reliable: You don’t want to grab your backup and find out that it really didn’t work and what you thought you had backed up is gone.

Time efficient: Takes minimal time to do the weekly backups after creating the initial full backup.

Quick and direct access to the most recent versions of your files or documents without having to do a ‘restore’ of the whole backup.

Smart backup system: It will update files that have been changed without asking me what to do with each file. Able to be customized to meet your needs.

Can easily use the files on a different computer: Allows you to plug in to a different computer and have immediate access to the files you need.

Synchronization : It will let you determine which files should be updated as well as allow you to let the most recent changes show up on all copies of that file, no matter if it is your main computer copy or your backup hard drive copy.

An effective system can be developed using an external hard drive. For under $100, you can buy a portable wallet-sized hard drive that will store 500 MB or more of your critical data. Non-portable drives are even less expensive, but the portable drive’s small size lets you use it anywhere you are with your computer.

The next step is to find a program that will do the actual file transfer and updating. There are lots of applications available that will perform these functions; some you have to pay for and others are free. A search on the internet will return hundreds of options.

There is a great little program that does almost everything – it’s called SyncBack. It allows me to send easy, one-click backups to my portable hard drive. It automatically updates files on the backup that I have updated on my computer. If I have to delete a bunch of files on my computer to make room for new ones, and I run the backup, it leaves those files on my portable hard drive.

]]> http://priceburner.com/online-backup/165/computer-backup/i-can-do-it-myself-online-backup-learning-session/feed/ 0 http://priceburner.com/online-backup/141/computer-backup/computer-backup/ http://priceburner.com/online-backup/141/computer-backup/computer-backup/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:42:10 +0000 Nick Kurentz http://priceburner.com/online-backup/141/computer-backup/computer-backup/ My computer’s internet has been really weird lately (im on my parents computer right now) & so i decided to run the recovery disk but… I have about 17GB of stuff that needs backed up somehow. I don’t wanna use 5 DVDs or lk 25 Cds or anything like that. Is there any other way to do it. Idk how the Windows XP backup utility works. How many DVDs would it take to backup 17GB? Well any help would be appriciated. Thanks

]]> http://priceburner.com/online-backup/164/computer-backup/automatic-storage-backup-computer-files-online-free/feed/ 1 http://priceburner.com/online-backup/140/computer-backup/skadoit-the-ultimate-computer-backup-service/ http://priceburner.com/online-backup/140/computer-backup/skadoit-the-ultimate-computer-backup-service/#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:51:12 +0000 Nick Kurentz http://priceburner.com/online-backup/140/computer-backup/skadoit-the-ultimate-computer-backup-service/ Why You Must Have Skadoit When it comes to online backup service Skadoit is gaining ground as a household word. Skadoit has launched one of the most unique business offering ever. Skadoit began franchising its business to qualified franchisees just recently. Using Skadoit will protect your files that are just too valuable to lose from being lost forever due to the unforeseen. If that doesn’t scare you look at the numbers of computers that are lost or damaged by nasty weather.

Here’s why: 1. Easy to use: Skadoit simply runs in the background of your computer and you never even know that it is there. There is no fancy equipment to buy and there are no hard programs to learn. 2. Always working: Because Skadoit is always working and knows what it wants to accomplish, which is backing up your files, you never have to worry about it. You don’t have to turn it off or on or enable it or disable it, if your computer is up and running so is Skadoit. 3. Safer than most: Almost all the online backup companies that exist today encrypt your files once, but not Skadoit.

4. Works for all computers: Skadoit works for all computers that have been manufactured in the last several years. Whether you are using a PC or a Mac, Skadoit will work for you. 5. Inexpensive: What price would you put on all your personal files? Well Skadoit can protect all of your files for only $59.98 per year for the home version and $129.95 for the business solution. The home user that has multiple computers can take advantage of Skadoit’s 3 Pack for only $99.98. That breaks down to less than $3.00 per month. Talk about cheap piece of mind. 6. Unlimited backup: With such a cheap price tag many people think that Skadoit will limit how much they can backup. Wrong.

7. Ease of recovery: If you do have something happen to your files, then recovery is as easy as one, two, three.

Try before you buy: Who doesn’t like something for free? Skadoit puts its money where its mouth is and lets you try their services for a full 7 days free of charge.

With all these facts about Skadoit it is no wonder they are always on the list of top online backup companies. With Skadoit, you are getting a great company that knows the game of online backup, so you have no excuse to ever lose a file again.

Learn more about Skadoit at our web site.

Skadoit was developed as a franchise by Profran Consultants and Ken Hollowell. Profran Consultants has been developing franchises for over 30 years. The Company provides professional franchise consultant services as well as assistance for companies needing funding for their business.