| WinZip |
This very popular program is a Windows version of the original PKZip. It takes groups of files and compresses them into one file. The result is one file which is much smaller than just copies of the originals, which can still be opened individually and amended if necessary. It could be considered essential, as it can handle a variety of compressed-file types used to send groups of files around, especially via the Internet. The idea is to have it create one or more files on floppies or other removable disks (eg ZIP, JAZ or CD-R(W) ) and regularly update them; it will compare what it has with what has changed and make new copies of changed files. It is easy to use and may be obtained from some retail stores or direct from http://www.winzip.com. |
| Windows Backup |
This comes free with Windows, but is not the easiest program to use, and some users believe it is not entirely trustworthy. To install it, go into Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - Windows Setup - Disk Tools and select Backup. To run it, you can either use the Start Menu link it will create under Accessories, or go to 'My Computer', right-click on the drive you wish to backup, select Properties, and choose Backup. (This is the same as getting to Scandisk and Defrag). |
| DOS XCopy |
This only makes copies, but is free and works. It should be used in conjunction with a separate drive (ZIP etc or second hard disk). For more details on how to configure and use it see XCOPY and Creating Batch Files in Dos For Windows9x. |
| ZIP / JAZ / SuperDrives |
These may be internal (ie installed into the case holding the rest of the computer) or external (as separate units connected via cables, like monitors or external modems). You can simply copy your vital files to them, or direct WinZip, Windows Backup or XCopy to backup to them. |
| CD-R(W) |
Consider replacing a standard CD-ROM drive with a CD-R(W) drive. Holding backup data on rewritable CDs is fast and simple, and the price of CDs for this purpose is dropping. The procedure is the same as for ZIP drives. Do use reputable disks, however! |
| Tape Streamer |
This is an external device designed to hold a large amount of data (often complete copies of drives), so is normally only worthwhile for commercial setups such as networks. |
| DriveCopy |
DriveCopy - and the more advanced DriveImage - from PowerQuest (who also publish Partition Magic, a well respected utility for splitting a hard drive into separate drives or partitions) is a powerful tool for making an exact copy of a drive, something which is not feasible with a normal backup program. Should your main drive crash, it can then be restored from the 'image' copy. One does, of course, need the space somewhere to store this ... |
| Another Hard Disk |
If your main working drive fails, you can restore the machine by having a second hard disk which is in effect a regularly-updated duplicate copy. To bring it into action one needs to be confident enough to dive into the case and swap wires around, and maybe reconfigure the BIOS. Alternatively it can be used simply to store copies of files. It should be safe from anything except physical damage to the whole machine. Hard disks are not too expensive, and a second hard disk used for backing up need not be as large as the main one. |
| Other Programs |
There are a variety available via the Internet, mostly Shareware and designed to improve upon Windows own Backup or XCopy. You may well find one that suits your needs. |
