If your computer has ever suffered a computer virus or crashed unexpectedly, you may understand the importance of backing up your important computer data. If you have never performed this task, then read on to learn how to back up your computer hard drive. You will learn what the three things that you need to do to ensure that you never lose data again.

This How-To guide will show you how to use online backup and backup software to protect your data. This guide is intended for home users as well as small and medium sized businesses that do not have a dedicated IT department. Losing the data on your personal or business computer can be costly and can result in downtime for the company. Backing up that data will save the user unnecessary aggravation. This backup procedure will use free software wherever possible and strive to create a process that is easy to maintain.

The first step will illustrate how to create a clean starting point of your operating system. The second step shows how to backup your files locally onto a large USB disk drive. Finally, the last step makes sure important files are backed up online or on compact discs.

The steps below describe the best way to setup regular, automated data backups. In short, going to the extra effort of following the 3 steps below will minimize your chance of losing data. There are times however, when performing a fast backup is a good idea.

If you're upgrading Vista to Windows 7 or reformatting your hard drive, performing a quick backup is a good way to avoid data loss if problems occur.

Quick Backup Guide

Option 1:

1. Connect a large external hard drive to your computer.
2. Carefully locate all of your documents, e-mail, music, movies, bookmarks, etc and copy those files to the new hard drive.http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/4216118
3. It is impossible to copy applications. You must reinstall them from their source disks or download them again from the Internet.

Option 2:

1. Use Acronis True Image (described below) to create a complete image of your hard drive.
2. This is the best way to ensure that you don't lose any data.
3. While you will still need to copy your documents, e-mail, music, etc to an external hard drive if you're upgrading your operating system, creating a full system image will allow you to revert to your original setup (ie: go back to where you started) without any hassle.

It's not as hard as it sounds and setup is really pretty easy! Basically, you setup software to automatically copy your files to an external hard drive. Then, your important files are (again automatically) copied to a secure location online.

Even if you're a home user, using this process is the most effective way of storing your data. If you run a business or are responsible the data that your business uses, this approach will be invaluable. The key advantages to the method described here include:

1. You will have a clean, error free base installation of each operating system. Never again will you need to spend hours installing Windows, updating drivers and system software. Re-insatlling your operating system to factory perfect settings will take less than 20 minuets!

2. This process will backup your files "locally" or in your own home / office for fast and reliable backups and restores.

3. This process will backup your files "remotely" and securely on the Internet so that in the event of theft, fire, or other disaster, your data will be safe and easily retrievable.

The easiest way to start a backup is with a clean system. This step is NOT required, but creating a manual initial backup and reformatting the computer is the best way to ensure that your data is well organized and that your computer operates at peak performance. You will need to set aside approximately one hour for this process.

1. Run a virus scan to ensure that your files are clean.
2. Connect a USB hard drive to your computer.
3. Copy all of the files that you use to the hard drive.
4. Disconnect the USB hard drive to ensure that the files will remain safe.
5. Format the hard drive inside of your computer (not the USB drive).
6. Starting with your virus software, re-install all of the software that you use every day.
7. Last, create a disk image using software such as Acronis True Image. http://www.acronis.com This will create a compressed copy of the work you have done so that when you would like to format your computer in the future, you won't have to waste time installing your operating system or software. In 20 minutes and with only a couple of clicks, your computer will be restored to this exact, clean point.

There is a diverse and wide selection of backup software and services available.

If you would like to backup your files online I suggest that you use Mozy. http://www.mozy.com Mozy allows you to backup 2 gigabytes of data for free. After that, they have reasonably priced monthly plans. Mozy provides you with software that you download and install on your PC.

If you would like to backup your files locally, I suggest that you use SyncBackSE.http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware This software also has a free unlimited version and works very well. It will work automatically on your Windows PC to backup your files and will only alert you if there is a problem. Many users have used this software for years without any trouble.

Most I.T. professionals recommend that you use both online (remote) and offline (local) backup. This is pretty easy to setup and only means that you need to point the Mozy software to backup the files that SyncBackSE has archived locally.

Here is a great video that shows you exactly how to setup SyncBackSE. While watching the video keep in mind that SyncBackSE requires that you do 2 basic things: select the folders that contain the files you want to backup and then tell it how those files should be backed up.

You can download the SyncBackSE free version here: http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freewarehttp://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbse.html

Keeping all of your important files in a single folder such as "My Documents" is a good idea. Setting up SynBackSE is easy - just tell the software to backup that folder.

I also keep "incremental" backups. An incremental backup is simply a copy of the files at different times and comes in handy if I make a mistake and want to "go back in time" to find a specific version of the file.

Now that your files are backed up "locally" with SyncBackSE, it's a great idea to backup those files online. This extra step will ensure that your files are available in the event of theft, fire, or some other unthinkable event.

Here is a great video showing how to setup Mozy:

Basically, you just need to download the Mozy software and configure it to backup the files that SyncBackSE has archived.

It is very important to completely test not only your backup configuration but also ensure that you can restore your data.

A lot of people overlook this step and when it's time to restore a backup, are left frustrated. Testing takes very little effort but does take some time.

Testing is as simple as allowing your backups to run as scheduled and restore them.

Check out the videos below to learn more through other "how to's" about technology.

1. How to Protect Your Computer From Viruses
2. How to Protect Your Computer From Malware
3. How to Back Up Your Computer Hard Drive
4. How to Build a Gaming Computer
5. How to Clean a Laptop Screen
6. How to Make Your Computer Run Faster
7. How to Start Windows in Safe Mode
8. How to Buy a Computer
9. How to Install Ram in a Laptop
10. How to Check for Windows Updates
11. How to Optimize Your Computers Visual Performance
12. How to Optimize Your Computers Virtual Memory
13. How to Check Your Computers Wireless Security
14. Computer Keyboard Shortcuts
15. How to Optimize Settings in Control Panel