Backing up the data on your home computer or works PC is one of those jobs which many people procrastinate over.  I used to be guilty of this.  But backing up your data is one the most important jobs you have to undertake in order to protect your empire from destruction.

I’ll give you an example of why this task is critical; I have a friend who owns a multi-million pound company and he was hit hard by several simultaneous viruses and Trojans which wiped his server completely clean.  When he came to install the back-up data (which he kept up to date) he found that the data was corrupt, he never verified the data files.  At the time he employed over 100 staff.  He had to pay every employee extra money to work over time to re-enter over 10 years worth of data.  He estimated the total cost to rectify the issue at £100,000!  It very nearly destroyed his Company.

Since he told me about his disaster I religiously back up and verify my data and take personal responsibility for this task.  I will not trust anyone else to do this duty. By learning from someone else’s mistake is very clever and helps you move towards your ultimate goal of leaving The Rat Race; this story is a good example of this fact.

Historically I never quite knew the best method for backing up computers.  The options are endless; you could use DVDs and the free disc burning software with Windows, use a portable hard drive or flash drive device, or even use a tape system.  Additionally due to the complexity of the actual backup software in addition to the number of PC’s on my network at the office, it turned into a two hour job each week; now this was a completely inefficient use of my valuable time.

I even tried online remote backup which turned out to be hassle, and then there was always that thought that ‘Big Brother’ could access my data, or worse still the off-shore data networks would crash or even the Company behind them go out of business!  On this note I’ve heard a rumour that Google will offering a free service relating to this.  I like Google applications so I will be the first to test and review this new application.

If you ask any IT expert they will recommend the tape drive system, but this is majorly flawed.  What if the computer with tape deck system gets stolen?  In order to restore your data you then have to go out and get a PC custom built with the same tape system.  This will add days on the length of time it takes to resolve the problem.  Additionally I find them slow and very much yesterday’s technology!  The software to go with this type of hardware is very overly complicated.

Here’s My Solution:

After much research I came across a nice piece of FREE software actually made by Microsoft, called ‘Sync Toy’.  It so easy to use a chimp could back up your computers!  (Don’t quote me on this).

To use this software simply down load the file from Microsoft by clicking the following link.

Click here to go to the Microsoft site

After you have installed it select the folders and files you wish to back up in the left folder, and then select the folder with in your backup location in the right folder.

Microsoft Sync Toy Screenshot. The fewer the options the easier it is to use!

I have the setting then set to ‘Echo’ meaning that and changes reflected in the left folder are mirrored in the right folder, but any changes in right folder (i.e. the back up device) are  not reflected in the left folder.

You then hit the next button and that’s it!  Very easy!

The initial backup of my works PC took 5gb (30 minutes) and then each time I  sync the folders only the changes in the Left folder are copied/changed in the right folder; this usually takes about 5 minutes.

I use Sync Toy along with a Corsair 16 gb (gigabyte) pen drive.  I have then attached a key ring to the device which my insurance company provided offering a reward if found (just in case I misplace it).

Hope the above helps to solve an important issue which bugged me for me for many years.  I am currently looking into encrypting this data and will update this article as and when I find an easy way to undertake this action.

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About Me... I'm an Internet Entreprenuer and Blogger. The founder of RatRaceWinner and co-founder of Zeavo and SiteGenPlus. I'm very keen on showing the average Joe and Jane how to make money online to escape the rat race and live life to the max. Discover how to gain access to over 50 hours of innovative tutorials and countless money making blue prints by visiting my Internet marketing membership site. You can also check me out on Twitter, Facebook, and Google +

Lawrence Sykes

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