computer spring cleaning part 2
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is for a class I first taught at Reading Public Library on Wednesday, May 30, as an overview of basic backup techniques for the Average Patron, specifically using Windows XP utilities. Long links have been converted to TinyURLs for easy typing.TRANSCRIPT
Computer Spring Cleaning Part 2
Andrea Mercado
Reference & Techie Librarian
Reading Public Library
What we’ll cover:
• Windows XP methods
• Data backup methods– Hardware– Software– Online options
• Restore points
• Brief demos
• Pointers to detailed information to get you started at home
Basic Maintenance
• Starts with keeping things tidy:– Save files to My Documents– Desktop is *not* storage– Organize your files into folders– Desktop shortcuts for frequently used
programs only– Purge unnecessary files and programs
Organize Your Files
• Create folders in My Documents by topic: http://tinyurl.com/23qq9q
• Know where your stuff lives
• Search for files is faster and easier
• Back up is easier
• Tell programs to save to My Documents
Windows Backup Utility
• Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup
What to Back Up
• My documents and settings: Usually your best bet– data files– e-mail messages– address books– personal settings for all applications
• Everyone's documents and settings: all of the above for multiple users
• All information: will take a *long* time• Let me choose: specific/advanced
Backup Destination
• Type is already chosen & grayed out
• Destination:– Local hard drive
• Current drive (C:\)• Additional internal drive
– USB drive– External or mini portable hard drive– Shared network drive
Tips on buying a hard drive• Buy something to grow into• Pictures/movies/music require lots more
space long-term• USB drive: extremely portable, maxes out at
4 GB• Mini portable drives: compact, travel-worthy,
won’t hold as muchPC Mag: http://tinyurl.com/ysfos2
• Regular external hard drives: hold tons of data, don’t like travel, require 3-prong outletsPC World: http://tinyurl.com/258zo3
How Much Data Is That?
• 1 byte = 8 bits = ~One character
• 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes = Joke
• 1 MB = ~1,049 KB = Small novel/floppy
• 1 GB = Broadcast quality movie
• 1 terabyte (TB) = 50,000 trees made into paper and printed
• Data care of James S. Huggins’ Refrigerator Door: http://tinyurl.com/5off6
Naming your backups
• Create folder(s) for your backups– One folder for everything (monthly)– Folder for each month (for multiple
backups per month)
• Helps to add the date to the name, examples (date format helps with sorts):– 20070530-Backup– Backup-20070530– 20070530
Remember to click “Finish”
• Not done yet…
Click the “Finish” button to actually start the
backup process.
You can keep working until…
“The backup is complete.”
Restoring data from backups
• Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup
• Click Next, then select Restore files and settings
• Select files to restore
Restore to…?
“Restore files to:•Original location•Alternate location•Single Folder”
Restore location options
• Original location: overwrites originals. Use when you restore the whole computer.
• Alternate location: Does not overwrite existing files, preserves folders.
• Single folder: Use to separate the restored files or folders from the rest of the files on the hard disk; does not preserve folders!
Online backup options
• Email: Especially for the smaller jobs
• Online backup storage sites:– Six Free Online Storage Services
http://tinyurl.com/3755tn– PCWorld.com: Store It on the Web
http://tinyurl.com/22cdx5
System Restore
• Creates snapshots of your computer system, saved as Restore Points
• Automatically creates Restore Points:– Once a day– Before installation of:
• New device drivers• Automatic updates• Unsigned drivers• Some applications
• Restoring will not affect personal data
Access System Restore
• Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
• Restore my computer to an earlier time to go back to a pre-change spot– Bolded dates in calendar have restore
points– Choose from the list
• Create a restore point by hand
Scheduling Backup Tasks
• Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks
• Double-click Add Scheduled Task, click next
• Select either Backup or System Restore from list
• Customize schedule and settings
Continuing Education
• Windows XP Backup Made Easy Microsoft: http://tinyurl.com/3lvzn
• How to restore files and foldershttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/309340
• Windows XP System Restore Is Easy to Use Microsoft: http://tinyurl.com/3oh2z
• How To Schedule Tasks in Windows XPMicrosoft: http://tinyurl.com/2d35ud
• PCWorld.com: How to buy a hard drivehttp://tinyurl.com/2545rn