Yacking about Backing up your Computer...Well, what is it that flips my sanity switch about another computer crash? I could start a computer Hall of Fame Realtor Rescue unit with the number of crashes I have had in a 25 year Southern Maryland Real Estate Career. Each time I learn something invaluable. Each time my skill levels go thru the roof one more notch. Each time I have been backed up but could have done it better because I learned a step I had inadvertently skipped. I am the IT department. So don't get any ideas I can pass the buck. The bucks stops here. So here are the simple things I have learned in a Readers Digest Format for backing up while full time working as a Southern Maryland Realtor on the run.
Yacking about Backing up your Computer...Back up all different kinds of ways. Because when one way fails and then the second way has a hitch and glitch, the third way comes thru like a charm. Don't argue, just do it. Like every couple of years when I get a new laptop, because they blow up on me about year two to three, I demote the main laptop but keep it up and running and current. That way, when I back up data, I test it on the spare laptop right then and there. No hitches. Nada. Flash drives work for this just great. Hit your database, your Quick books, and your top 50 docs on a large flash drive. Me, I have two because I am THE self anointed Queen of Crash.
Yacking about Backing up your Computer...Then back up on Carbonite. It's sixty bucks plus you can access your docs online anywhere for any laptop. That alone is enough to get motivated plus their service has improved big time with phone support that's very helpful.
Yacking about Backing up your Computer...So plan C as in Cheryl. That above is not enough. Nope, get a plan C for when you blow up Plan A and blow past Plan B. For me Plan C is to upgrade EMC Retrospect for $29 per laptop and get free tech help for 30 days. This will enable me to put everything on a local hard drive. Then if Carbonite is lagging or sagging, the data is in my hands.
But what is new today is PLAN D. PLAN D is I dare these machines to get past me on this one. I saw a new software beta program on www.Iomega.com last night. It enables you with a new Iomega hard drive at roughly $115 to clone your entire laptop on the small drive and then take it with you to hook up any computer to act like it is yours. Then it synchs any new stuff back to your original computer. OMG, am I dreaming? Beta, I am on! No need to guess my next move. Like I said, this is PLAN D, as in I dare these machines to get past me on this one. Meanwhile, today I am in the Southern Md Trenches recovering from another career computer crash. But data I have, you betcha! The rest of it I will figure out.
You'll Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100, for all your Southern Maryland Real Estate Services. Visit www.GoldenResults.com for more information.
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I have been so electronically challenged this week! My Blackberry (service) would cut any phone call off after a few seconds, and got a new phone that works. My Sony laptop would shut off by itself, and found it has a fried mother board after having it for only 14 months. The new desktop now this morning will not boot up. Just about ready to scream!
Cheryl, I've gotten a little cocky because I use Macs, then I have to remember all of the photos I lost when some idiot broke into my house and swiped them.
You certainly are the Queen of Crash... but you do an excellent job of being ready for Plan B, C, and D!
It is such a painful learning experience...
I hope you had a day of success Cheryl!
Paul
Hi Cheryl, I found your post on Patricia's "week in review". I am fortunate that my office maintains a large server storage site where everthing is backed up and I switched to a Macbook Pro about a year and a half ago. I also use the Time Capsule with 1 Terrabyte of storage. The funny thing is my Macbook has never crashed but I am NOT taking any chances ;-)
Hi Cheryl, Backing up on " Carbonite " just makes so much sense.
Cheryl, Most people do not back up or don't do it often enough.
I created a folder on my "C" drive called rael estate. I then create subfolders under that. Anything related to real estate is stored under this folder.
Every couple weeks I go in and copy the "Real Estate" folder and my Outlook .pst file. Does not take long. The worst taht happens is I lose a couple days worth of work.
There are automated ways to do this. I just like to do it manually.
Cheryl, dont' dare anything about a computer. I wish I would have read your post earlier this month when my laptop crashed and I had nothing backed up! Nothing could be retrieved when the hard drive went wonkers. I've learned my lesson all right. I used to use Iomega many years ago when they had those expensive drives on large CD kinda tape things. I still have it in my 'what do I do with this stuff closet' at the office. I will check into the new and improved as you mentioned. Thanks for the advice and 'back things up'.