When Your PC Backup Is Not Enough
by Harvey Segal
If you are dependant on your PC for running a business
venture on the Internet then it is vital that the
loss
of your PC does not damage or cause the downfall of
your
business.
In other words you must make sure that you regularly
backup the data on your PC.
Now this should not be news to you, but here are
two
vital warnings.
#1 It is NOT SUFFICIENT just to backup your data.
How do you know you can RECOVER it ?
Have you ever tried ?
Yes, I know it’s meant to work but who knows
what can go
wrong.
When my car once failed to start the mechanic correctly
identified that the battery needed replacing.
Did he check that the car would start after fitting
the
new one ?
No need - it’s "supposed" to work
Did it start ?
No !
So are you going to take the RISK that something
will
work because it is "supposed" to work -
and say goodbye
to your online business if it doesn’t.
Because you’ll have lost all your data - gone
forever.
So test out the recovery option - NOW.
#2 If you make backups of ALL of your hard disc (maybe
you have a high capacity backup unit) - then skip
this
section.
The rest of us are making copies (hopefully) of our
CRITICAL data to floppy disc.
So if your hard disc crashes you will be up and running
in no time ?
Afraid not.
* What about the programs and utilities that you
regularly use
- do you have the original discs ?
- if you downloaded them from the Internet do you
remember the source ?
* Can you recall the personalised configurations
that
you have applied to your software or those simple
shortcut keystrokes which you use so often that it’s
hard to recall the original method ?
* Can you remember all the passwords you are using
- for
connecting to your ISP, retrieving your POP mail,
checking the statistics on reseller sites set up for
you
?
* Do you have vital contact information such as your
ISP
dial up number ?
* Are there files, not directly under your control,
which need to be part of your critical data - for
example address books embedded in your Email software
?
Imagine this situation.
Your computer has been wiped out, stolen, gone up
in
flames.
All you have left is a backup copy of your critical
data.
(And, by the way, you are keeping a spare copy in
a
separate building - aren’t you ?)
In your hour of need when you are desperate to get
back
online and attend to a mounting army of Emails or
orders
the last thing you need is to struggle to connect
to the
Internet, to find your passwords, to be deprived of
the
tools which simplify your PC work.
What is the solution ?
You need to keep a RECORD of all the vital information
mentioned above (passwords, configuration details
etc).
* Put this into a file which is part of the critical
data that you regularly back up.
* Keep a PRINTED copy handy - and another one in
a
REMOTE location.
* You can even copy the file to your web site.
And also review the backup content of your critical
data
to check for any other files, such as address books,
that need to be included.
Do this NOW.
Don't miss Harvey's FREE book
Guru Magic: the Internet marketing book with a UNIQUE
twist
And there's more great articles, ideas and tips at
the
SuperTips website http://www.supertips.com
