Know your Computer

It is a good idea to made a Log Book of your computer details and a list of the contents.

This is a good starting point. It will provide you with details of your hardware, operating system and space available on your hard disc(s)
In the list of Files is a docment

WE Group Computer Log Book



The link is to a Word document and should open and give you the option to Open or Save. I suggest you Save it and print . If it does not offer the option to Save.. Right click on the link and select Save Target as

Sylvia October 2009

Backup-Secure your Data

Quick Check List

Screen Capture Desktop
Operating System CDs or Manufacturers Recovery CDs
Master Programs
Driver info for Printers, Scanners etc
Internet Connection Details – Dial up or ADSL including User Name & Passwords
Router Information – Default IP and Encryption Key for Wireless
Email Addresses – User Names, passwords, POP & SMTP info for each account
Email Address Book
Important Emails
Internet Favourites
Documents
Document Templates
Photos
Music
Videos

Back-up

Backup refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event or transfer to a new computer. These additional copies are typically called "backups." Backups are useful primarily for three purposes. The first is to restore a state following a disaster . The second is to restore small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. The third is to transfer your personal data to another computer.
Since a backup system contains at least one copy of all data worth saving, the data storage requirements could be considerable. There are many different types of data storage devices that are useful for making backups. For the standard personal computing applications CD’s /DVD’s or memory sticks are usually adequate storage devices. It is important to store the backup devices in a different location to the computer.
Again for the home user, complex backup systems involving compression is rarely necessary so the following advice and procedures have been set up as a guide which if followed will protect your special data.

TIP: USE SCREEN CAPTURES

With Screen Hunter or Magic Capture take screen captures of as much as possible. Start with a screen capture of your desktop icons . Paste the capture into a WORD Document.
Do this to record all of your personal settings like Email accounts and dialup connections

Check List

Operating System

These Discs are provided when you purchase your computer and are frequently labeled Recovery CD (or DVD). Keep them safe in the event of a system crash they will be needed!

Master Programs

Some are provided when you purchase your computer. You should also have the masters to recover. Other programs will have been purchased or downloaded. Create a check list of all the programs you use. Here are some of the most popular.
Internet Explorer (Version 6 or 7) Free Download
Outlook Express Free Download
Windows Mail (Vista Email) Free Download
AVG8 Anti Virus Free Download
Picasa 3 Free Download
Microsoft Office Master CDs with Serial Number
Photoshop Elements Master CD with Serial Number
Rainlendar Free Download Calendar for Events
PopTray Free Download for controlling SPAM
Photostory Free Download
Nero 6 or any other CD/DVD burning program usually supplied with the Burning drive installed in the system
Add to the above list with your favourite software and check that you have the master discs or can download a free version.

Printers, Scanners and other Attachments – DRIVERS

Check that you have all the CDs and information on these drivers

Internet Connections – Dial up or ADSL Modem Routers

Dail-up Connection

Click on START - Connect to – Note all details on your Connections.
Dialup Connections will require a telephone number – User Name and Password
This is personal to you . DO NOT RELY ON ANY THIRD PARTY TO HAVE THESE DETAILS

ADSL Connection

Your Internet Service Provider will have given you a User Name and Password. Ensure you are aware of where they are stored. It is a good idea to also keep a copy or record details. It is this information that is input into your Router.
The Router, if it is wireless, could also have a code to encrypt data transfer for security. Again it is essential to keep a record of this KEY. You will also be provided with a manual for the router and this should be available if transferring to a new system or a re-install.

Personal Data

Making copies of files is the simplest and most common way to perform a backup.

Email – Address Book
Notes on the our Blog : Export http://wegroup.blogspot.com/2006/11/extract-address-book-for-mailmerge.html
Or http://www.helpwithpcs.com/tipsandtricks/backup-outlook-express-address-book.htm
Also Export it as a WAB file for extra security
Store both of them in the My Documents Folder
If you only have a few important Emails then minimise the Outlook Window and drag to My Documents. You can also create a special folder for them.
Microsoft also has some excellent info on securing your Outlook Express Information
Print out this article and follow for reference
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670

Email – Accounts

Ensure you have all the details for your Email accounts.
Email address, User Name, Password , POP and SMTP details and any advances settings (port changes for GMail).

Again Screen shots pasted into a WORD Document is a great way to record this information.

Favourites
Backing Up Your Favorites
You can keep a backup of your Favorites in case you accidentally delete any of your list. You can also use this backup to transfer your Favorites list to a different PC or another browser program.
Click on the File menu (in Internet Explorer 7 click the Add To Favorites button) then click Import and Export. You should see a window welcoming you to the Import and Export Wizard. Click Next, then select Export Favorites. Leave the main folder selected on the Export Favorites Source Folder screen and click Next.
Make sure Export to a File or Address is selected, then Browse to a location on your hard drive where you wish to store a copy of your Favorites list. Type a name for your backup, for example MyFavorites and click Save. Click Next, then Finish and a window should tell you the export was successful.
The Favorites backup file is saved as a web page file and it can also be opened in your browser like a normal web page by double-clicking it. It will appear as a simple-looking web page containing your Favorites links.

DOCUMENTS

The folder My Documents also contain subfolders for My Pictures , My Music and My Videos. This can make it too large to copy onto a single CD or DVD but first check the size.
Templates are an important part of your working documents but they are stored in hidden folders. One quick way is to Open WORD –File NEW – Open each template and SAVE As – give it a document name starting with Template and create a Folder for them. These can later be recovered and re-saved as .dot templates
Under Windows Explorer - Right Click on My Documents Folder and select Properties. This will give you the overall size. Usually the Pictures Folder will be large and can be backed up separately.
Memory Stick Backup: Insert the Memory stick and under Windows Explorer Drag Folders and Files to the stick, Remember to make a note of the Date of the backup
CD or DVD: Using Nero or any other Burning Software select create a Data Disc. ADD the folders and Files. The size will be displayed to ensure there us enough space on the media . Click on BURN . Label and Date the disc and store in a safe place.

PHOTOS

These are very special memories and if lost it can be a disaster. CDs and DVDs are now a very reasonable so copy your photos on a frequent basis . Make a monthly or quarterly backup. Picasa has 2 options that will secure your photos. GIFT CD and Backup.
This will be covered in detail in futures notes . You can also use the same routine as for Documents . Dragging the folder to a memory stick or burning to a CD or DVD. Remember it is important to label and record the details on the discs.

MUSIC

Your audio CDs could have been recorded in MP3 for WMA format on your computer. If you have the original music it is not essential to backup your computer music . However you might not have originals so use NERO or any other burning software to transfer to CD’s or DVD.

VIDEOS

Videos are large files so usually need DVD’s as backups. Use the Data option of your burning software to create copies. Or a large Memory stick might be be sufficient.

Data Backup with Nero

NERO 6 Creating a data disc for Backup

Step 1: Open Nero Express and from the project selection page, select Data > Data Disc.

Step 2: From this next window, you are now ready to start adding data to your layout for recording to disc.

Step 3: There are two very simple ways to add data to the layout window to make this process quick and easy.
Option One: Click the ADD button to select the files you would like to burn. A window will appear that looks very similar to Windows Explorer and from here, you are able to choose the files you would like to record and save on disc. Once you have selected your file(s), please click Add.
Option Two: Add data using Windows Explorer - go to the Start button in the corner of your screen All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer or Windows Key+E
When the Windows Explorer appears, you can drag the data you would like to record into the Nero Express layout

Step 4: Once all your files have been added, click "Next" to prepare your disc for burning.

Check & make your final settings before burning your disc.

Current Recorder – The supported burners you have connected to your PC will be displayed and the Recorder if you chose to save to your hard drive.

Disc Name – Select a title for your disc.

Writing Speed – Select the speed in which you would like to burn. (Suggest to drop to 16x)

Number Of Copies – Select the number of copies you would like to burn.

Add More Files Later – Select this back for Backup Discs

Verification – Select if required but it will take twice as long to complete

Step 5: Ready to record? Click the "Burn" button and you are on your way to recording your first data disc! As you are burning, you will receive a status window of the recording process.

Step 6: When it is completed, you will be notified that the burn process has completed successfully.
F.Y.I.! As one of the many great features in Nero Express, it has the ability to make labels for the jewel case and disc you just burned.

Step 7: When you click OK after the successful recording, you will be returned back to the recording window. Please click "Next" to move forward to the following window.
If you would like to burn the same project again, start another project, make labels, or add more data to your current disc it can be done from this window.

Note: Backup DISCS.. can be re-inserted into the drive and it will automatically refresh the CD with new or changed items

Backup and Secure-Checklist

Select the media you are going to use . Media can be either an external hard drive, CDs, DVDs or large Memory sticks .

CD´s take 700 Megabytes, DVDs 4.7 Gig but check first your burner is for DVD

Establish the location and size of your personal Data

Use Windows Explorer, on My Documents right click and request properties. This will give you the size of that main folder which should contain all your personal data. Checking on each Folder within My Documents will highlight how the data can be easily split into type for creating a backup.

If using CDs or DVDs make a note of how many you will need and how you are going to organise the backup

It is usual that My Pictures will be the biggest element and these can be backed up in a seperate sequence of CDs or DVDs

Check that you still have the Master Program disc of all the programs installed or that they can be downloaded from the Internet

You should have with your system a batch of recovery discs that came when purchased. Make sure you know where they are.

EMail - Address Book and Messages

Notes are on this page on how to Extract the Address Book from Outlook Express. If you are using any other EMail program then check the HELP files. If you are using web based GMail then the easiest way is to keep mail archived and also download to your computer into Outlook Express.

Sylvia April 2008

Securing your Outlook Express Address Book

First, you will need to format your contacts as a CSV file.

From Outlook Express: Open the Address Booko Select File > Export > from the main menu.

Select Other Address Book and then Text File (Comma Separated Values).

Browse location to Save File and Name it. Good temporary location is on the Desktop
Select ALL the fields (even if you have no data in them)

Click Export.