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