Power surges, floods, fires, theft, and hard drive crashes are just a few of the many things that can destroy precious computer data. I recently heard the sad story of a man worked for over two years on his family genealogy and lost it all when his hard drive crashed. Others have lost the precious information in their address books as well as valuable financial data. There is only one thing that can ensure that computer data is safe – having a good backup copy. In order to prevent the loss of files and information, wise computer users make backing up a daily routine.
Backing up computer data doesn’t have to be difficult. There are useful software programs to help with this important task. BackUp MyPC, one of these helpful software packages, is the ultimate in backing up. It is an easy-to-use program that offers both data protection and disaster recovery. In the event of a hard drive crash or the chance that you may have inadvertently deleted needed information, BackUp MyPC will restore the complete hard drive or a single file.
For Both First Time and Advanced Users
Stomp, Inc, the manufacturer of BackUp MyPC, tells us the program was developed because most users want to spend as little time as possible performing time-consuming backup and restore operations. More advanced users want control – control of what they back up, how they back up, and when they back up. BackUp MyPC accommodates both approaches. Its easy-to-use interface is appreciated by both the first time user and the experienced computer user. Computer rookies will be comfortable using the program thanks to Backup and Restore Wizards that guide them through each procedure with clearly defined instructions. My only complaint was the unusual icons BackUp MyPC uses during the installation process. The right-facing arrow which usually takes you to the next screen had a completely different function. The program itself uses more common icons and relies on the much-used Windows interface, making it intuitive and easy to navigate. Let’s hope that Stomp will redo their installation icons so they will have the same usability as the program itself. (Sometimes the little things mean a lot.)
Advanced Scheduling Feature
BackUp MyPC can work anytime, even on its own, thanks to its capability for unattended backups and flexible scheduling. The advanced scheduling feature enables the program to back up important files or your entire computer even if you're not even around. Performing regularly scheduled backups is the best way to ensure the continuous protection of your data. Many of the backup systems on the market cannot back up a single file. Not so with BackUp MyPC. One of its unique features is the ability to back up your entire hard disk or perform just a partial backup if you only need to back up a few folders and files. It can even back up just the files that have changed since your last backup.
Backup Media
BackUp MyPC is not particular about the media you pick for backup. You can use recordable CD/DVD, Tape, Zip, Jazz, magneto optical, and other removable media drives. If you have mega information and files on your computer, never fear. BackUp MyPC uses disc spanning and data compression, which typically can double your media capacity. This compression feature maximizes your media efficiency and provides significant savings on media space.
Compare Feature
One feature that I really like is the Compare feature that will compare the data on your backup media with the data on the hard drive, ensuring a proper restore of your files. Customized backup settings and file selections can be saved as backup jobs or easily modified to suit your changing needs.
Disaster Recovery Feature
The Disaster Recovery feature enables you to perform a complete system recovery without having to re-install Windows or any other software programs. For you Windows XP users, I am sorry. The Disaster Recovery feature, which allows you to restore your system from a boot disk, is currently not available under Windows XP.
Other Features
Another accommodating feature is the program’s peer-to-peer network data protection. If you are working with networked drives, BackUp My PC will let you back up shared folders and files. Not only is BackUp My PC easy to use, it is convenient. With One Button Restore, you can perform the most comprehensive of data protection operations with limited input. This One Button Backup and Restore can perform full, partial, or differential backups.
With this backup program, you can easily define full and incremental backups, schedule them, and restore files. Report files are automatically generated to list any errors that may have occurred during an operation.
Stomp also offers a fully functional trial version of BackUp MyPC. Just download the program and use it for 30 days on their try-before-you-buy program.
Support Program
The support area for BackUp MyPC is very helpful. Stomp, Inc. makes a visible effort to provide service and support for its products. On its company Web site, you will find a Frequently Asked Questions section along with a device support list that gives a comprehensive list of hardware such as CD-R CDRW drives. The online manual as well as the manual that came with the boxed software was easy to follow.
Either the $69 download version or the $79 CD-ROM version buys you some valuable backup help. Purchase a program like this very useful BackUp MyPC software and use it. Set scheduled updates and learn to use the program’s features. The software cannot do it all; you have to be alert and still work hard to incorporate the backup habit as part of your computing routine. If you are ever unfortunate enough to be hit with a hard disk crash, a devastating power surge, flood, fire, or theft, or maybe your own human error, you will thank the day you spent $79 on a program like BackUp MyPC.
