Upgrading & Fixing Laptops DUMmIES

And the most important four-step program for protecting the data stored on

your laptop is this:

1. Make a complete backup of data on an external device or on remov-
   able media.


2. Keep the backup current. The more work you perform on your laptop
   the more often you should perform backups.


3. Leave your external backup device or removable media in a safe
   place at home or in your office when you travel.


4. See Steps 1 and 2.

You can accomplish this sort of a backup program a number of ways. I use

my laptop on the road and a PC in my office, so I have the original copy of my

data in the PC’s hard drive (and on an external hard drive attached to the net-

work there). When I travel, I make backups to a CD-R using the CD recorder

in my laptop, on a flash memory key, or on a lightweight external USB hard

drive. I can also send completed in-progress files to myself by e-mail and

leave them on my Internet provider’s server until I am back in my office.

Quick definitions here: CD-Rsare compact discs that can be recorded to by

the user; a flash memory keyis a small stick of nonvolatile(doesn’t need

electrical current once written to) memory that can hold data, and USBis

an all-purpose, high-speed communications port that has all but replaced

older technologies including serial, parallel, mouse, keyboard, and other

input and output connectors.

Now here’s the most important part of the plan: I do not store my backups in

the same case that carries the laptop. The reason should be obvious, but I’ll

explain anyway: If the laptop is lost or stolen, my data backup is in a different

place.

Keeping it organized and safe .............................................................

I’ve already compared your laptop to a living, breathing thing. It (your laptop,

but a baby, too) needs to be cleaned and reorganized when things get messy;

you can extend its life through a properly thought out and executed diagnos-

tic and preventative maintenance program.

In my work, I use my laptop anytime I am away from the office. Although I

travel a great deal — the equivalent of four or five months a year — that also

means the machine sits on the shelf for weeks or even an occasional full

month. Your use may differ. Your laptop may be the only machine you have,

20 Part I: Putting a Computer in Your Lap