Why weekly backup?

[prowler]

Having Win7 for a month now, I notice the prompt to "backup" my system every week. I began the process when I got the first prompt a couple of weeks ago and did the backup accordingly, but I'm wondering how urgent it is to do this every week? I use my PC for browsing and for my home budget (MS Excel which I back up to disc each week) but for little else.

Thanks for your input.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
even for a small system it's easier to backup and restore rather than re-create your data.
It's not only computers that can go wrong -- your computer could get stolen, your house / apartment flooded or whatever.

You can make a mistake updating a file or delete a file by mistake. -- No matter how small a system these things happen.

There's all sorts of reasons as to why it's a good idea to backup stuff --in fact I can't think of a SINGLE reason why you would NOT want to backup.

Backup on your scale should only take a few minutes anyway -- not a huge time investment for 100% security. Data loss can be quite irritating -- and if you ever get into things like ripping music from CD's or saving photos from a mobile phone you really want to keep THIS data safe.

cheers
jimbo

 

[kado897]

Hi prowler and welcome to Seven Forums. It's a matter of choice really. You just need to back up often enough so that if your disk fails you don't lose too much. You will want to make at least one image, preferably to an external hard disk so that you can restore Windows itself in case of problems.

 

[whs]

I backup (image) 3 times per week (the system and the data partitions). Would hate to lose my stuff.

 

[LittleJay]

I totally agree with whs. I would hate to lose everything, because I neglected to back my computer up regularly.

 

[prowler]

Thank you for all your replies. Although I understand the need for backup protection in the event of some major catastrophe, that sort of PC damage has never happened to me. Not that such a thing couldn't happen to me during the next hour, the fact that I've not yet been compromised is probably the reason I posed the question [above]. I think more along the lines of Kado897 and will make an attempt to make certain I don't lose too much data. for instance, during the last week, the only data that has changed has been my checkbook balance (MSExcel) and the addition of some email messages - with the exception maybe of some Window updates.

 

[whs]

You do as you please. But one day your system will go on the blink - guaranteed. And then you will be sorry if you do not have the most recent image to bail you out. And not only for the data - reinstalling the system, the gezillion updates and all the programs is no fun either. Last time I did that for someone like you it took 2 days.

 

[fireberd]

Keep in mind, Backups are not for IF they are ever needed, they are for WHEN they are needed.

 

[kado897]

It really all depends on how much change you have. A once a month image will take care of Windows updates, but you should probably back up your data much more frequently.

 

[prowler]

Last time I did that for someone like you it took 2 days.

I'm curious why the emotion attached to my question. When I loaded Win7 onto this PC last month from scratch the process only took a couple of hours. The many Win7 updates took the longest portion of that time.

In the end, I appreciate all your helpful feedback. The discussion is always beneficial.

 

[whs]

There is no emotion - just experience. I would hate to see you paint yourself into a corner.

 

[marsmimar]

Just one more suggestion or thought, if I may. And no offense to anyone.

There are backups ... and then there are backups. The first kind of backup is your personal files, folders, and other data. The second kind of backup is a system image of the entire hard drive. Since you use your computer for "...browsing and for my home budget (MS Excel which I back up to disc each week) but for little else..." you might consider splitting the difference. Do a system image once every couple of weeks. Everything will be backed up including the all important operating system , your personal data, and all of your customized settings, tweaks, etc. You could do the system image while you're having dinner. You and the system image should both be finished about the same time.

 

[bigmck]

I'm curious why the emotion attached to my question. When I loaded Win7 onto this PC last month from scratch the process only took a couple of hours. The many Win7 updates took the longest portion of that time.

In the end, I appreciate all your helpful feedback. The discussion is always beneficial.

I am a pretty good driver. I have never totaled out my truck. I still have insurance..........