Discovering Computers

Chapter 1: Introducing a World of Technology

Windows back up utility

Windows can be set up to automatically back up your hard drive on a routine basis. Below are directions for backing up data files automatically in Windows 7 and 8.1. The directions below include not only backing up, but how to create a system image in the event of a crash and what to do if your system will not start normally.

The three preventions below, for each Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, can help ensure that your data is protected and you can restore the computer system in the event of a crash.

WINDOWS 7

1) Backup your data files automatically.
Set up the automated back up to save your data files routinely so that you don't have to worry about losing your Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, Photoshop files, family pictures or whatever it is that is important to you. Backing up is not only a good idea in the event of a crash, but a file that is accidentally and permanently deleted can be recovered. Windows 7 will automatically back up your libraries, but you can choose which files you want to backup.

  • Click Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore.
  • Click Set up backup or Change settings. The link you see depends on whether or not you previously have done a back up.
  • Click to select a backup location to save your data files.
  • Click Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore.
  • Click Set up backup or Change settings. The link you see depends on whether or not you previously have done a back up.
  • Click to select a backup location to save your data files. I use an external hard drive connected with a USB to backup my files.
  • After selecting a back up destination, click Next.
  • If you want to choose which files to backup, click the Let me choose option and click Next. The recommended options will backup Libraries (pictures, videos, documents, etc. saved in the default locations). If you do not always save files in the Libraries, you should use the Let me choose option.
  • Click to add a check mark for all the folders you wish to backup and then click Next.
  • Click the Change schedule link and then choose how often, what day and time to run the backup. Be sure the Run backup on a schedule is checked.
  • Click OK.

To restore files from your backup, click Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore. Click the Restore my files button in the lower-right of the window.

2) Create a system image in the event of a crash.
 When your computer is running well or when you first purchase a PC, consider creating a system image. EVERYTHING will be backed up, not just your data files as described above. You'll need to save the system image to a location with considerable storage space. Shortly after purchasing my Sony laptop, I created a system image that took 30 minutes for the computer to create and 44G of space. In the event of a crash, you can restore your system back to the way it was when the image was created. In the case of my laptop, it would be back to the same condition as when I first purchased it. Beware that any files or programs you created or installed after the image was created will be lost.

  • Click Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore.
  • Click the Create a system image link on the left side of the window.
  • Choose where you want to save the image, click Next,
  • Choose the drive to include in the backup (most likely just the C drive). Click Next.
  • Click Start backup
  • A WindowsImageBackUp folder is created that contains the system image.

If your computer does crash, restart and press F8 before the Windows logo appears. Next, you will see the Advanced Boot Options. Select Repair your computer, then click the option for Windows Complete PC Restore.

3) System repair disc to start your system when it won't start normally.

What if your system crashed, but you can't even boot normally to restore with the system image? Before something like this happens, create a system repair disc so that you can bootup and restore your computer.

  • Click Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore.
  • Click the Create a system repair disc link on the left.
  • Select a drive, insert a CD/DVD, then click the Create disc button.

When a problem does occur with starting your computer, insert the disc and then turn on your system. This will allow you to start the system and use your system image as described above.

 

WINDOWS 8.1

1) Backup your data files automatically.
Set up the automated back up to save your data files routinely so that you don't have to worry about losing your Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, Photoshop files, family pictures or whatever it is that is important to you. Backing up is not only a good idea in the event of a crash, but a file that is accidentally and permanently deleted can be recovered. Windows 8.1 will automatically back up your libraries, but you can choose which files you want to backup.

  • Right-click the Start menu (lower-left corner of the screen) > Control Panel > System & Security > File History.
  • Insert a USB flash drive or a portable hard drive and then press F5 key to refresh the File History window, which now identifies the flash drive or portable hard drive as a backup location.
  • To exclude folders from the backup, click Exclude folder in the left pane of the File History window. Click the Add button and select the library or folders you do not want to backup. After selecting, click the Select Folder button. Repeat the process for each item you wish to exclude.  To complete the exclusion process, click Save changes.
  • To select advanced backup settings, which allow backups on a regular basis, click Advanced settings in the left pane of the File History window. Next click the Every hour (default) button to display a list of time intervals. Choose your desired time interval and then click Save Changes.
  • Finally, click Turn On button in the File History window.

2) Create a system image in the event of a crash.
When your computer is running well or when you first purchase a PC, consider creating a system image. EVERYTHING will be backed up, not just your data files as described above. You'll need to save the system image to a location with considerable storage space. Shortly after purchasing my Sony laptop, I created a system image that took 30 minutes for the computer to create and 44G of space. In the event of a crash, you can restore your system back to the way it was when the image was created. In the case of my laptop, it would be back to the same condition as when I first purchased it. Beware that any files or programs you created or installed after the image was created will be lost.

  • Right-click the Start menu (lower-left corner of the screen) > Control Panel > System & Security > File History.
  • Insert a USB flash drive or a portable hard drive and then press F5 key to refresh the File History window, which now identifies the flash drive or portable hard drive as a backup location.
  • Click the System Image Backup link on the left side of the window.
  • Choose where you want to save the image, click Next,
  • Choose the drive to include in the backup (most likely just the C drive). Click Start backup.
  • A WindowsImageBackUp folder is created that contains the system image.

If your computer does crash, restart and press F8 before the Windows logo appears. Next, you will see the Advanced Boot Options. Select Repair your computer, then click the option for Windows Complete PC Restore.

3) System repair disc to start your system when it won't start normally.

What if your system crashed, but you can't even boot normally to restore with the system image? Before something like this happens, create a system repair disc so that you can bootup and restore your computer.

  • Right-click the Start menu (lower-left corner of the screen) > Control Panel > System & Security > File History.
  • Click the Recovery link on the lower-left.
  • Next, click Create a recover drive link. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click Yes.
  • Click Next in the Recovery window.
  • Select a drive or CD/DVD and then click the Next button.
  • Finally, click Create.

When a problem does occur with starting your computer, insert the disc and then turn on your system. This will allow you to start the system and use your system image as described above.