Saving to a zip disk

[randy]

I don't have much experience with backing up files and stuff on a PC. I did it once and I did not really understand what I was doing.
Later I crashed the computer down, so that I could start again fresh. Afterwords when I went to install the info from my Zip disk back into my favorites, I ended up doing it manually, one file at a time...... fortunately I did not have all that many.
I figured that I did something wrong, or just didn't know the right way to permanently re-install the info.

So, my question is:

How do I save info from the computer onto a disk and then re install it when needed. Can I add more info on to this disk later should I need to?

I am ready to format a zip disk, but I have a question about that also.
When formatting the disk it asks:

short format / or long format (10 minutes) I figure to do the longer version because the disk has old info on it, and want the old info cleaned off thoroughly.

It also has a box that can be checked. It says:
Make disk bootable. Should I make this disk Bootable... or not?
I do want the info that i'll save on it to be reinstalled on the computer because I do not want to have to insert the disk each time I use my favorites.
This disk is just for a back up in case I lose my info somehow.

randy

[brad]

I think it's great you are backing up. It's one of those chores that most of us put off until it's too late.
I'm not real familiar with booting from a zip but from what I've read it should be fine. Just make sure you set the bios to boot from the zip drive.
Hopefully some of the others will add to this......
Microsoft has a good utility for backing-up in Windows.
Start / Accessories / System Tools / Backup (File and Settings Transfer in WinXp) Just follow the Wizard.
brad

[randy]

That's the path I followed to the backup. I have windows 98 if that matters any.
My basic question is just how to back up the info in a way that I can reinstall it later if needed. Last time I did this I needed to have the disk inserted into the drive in order to access the info..... I don't want that, I want to download the info so I don't need the zip disk inserted. Is there a special method to save what I want to save to do this?
I can do a lot of things, but computers and computer jargon are not high on my list of specialties, so the simpler it can be explained the better.

thanks,
randy

[brad]

Maybe I'm missing something..... You need to insert the zip disk and backup your info. Now you can store the disk someplace. When you need to restore just put the disk back in and run the wizard or choose the "Restore" tab. You can then remove the disk and your data will be where you restored it to..... brad

[randy]

Still way to complicated Brad.
I figure I can just push a "record" button and that's it........... not so.
It asks too many questions for my small mind. I guess that's why computers are so frustrating for me.
I select to save only my favorites for this particular disk. I select "favorites", then hit "all selected files", but then it throws me a curveball and asks me where I want to back up to.
I was doing fine until I got to this point. Where would I like to back this up to? I have no clue.......... I thought I wanted to back up to my zip drive.

It didn't like my file title either. I just titled it "Favorites Backup 1/5/04"

I'm ready to go back to my web tv....... it never asks questions, never tells me I almost had a crash, never freezes up, never asks me if I want to allow or trust a scource........ and I don't have a problem with pop up ads and virus worries.
Why are simple things like saving information so complex? Why cannot I just record the info I want to save for now, and then later, tell it where to go when I re install it?

frustrated randy

[brad]

Ok..... Open Backup and we'll use the Wizard.
1.) Select "Create a new back Job." Click "Ok"
2.) Select "Back up selected files, folders, and drives." Click "Ok"
3.) Click on the + next to C: - (Drive) Scroll down to the "My Documents" folder and Click in the box. Click "Next"
4.) Select "All selected files. Click "Next"
5.) Click on the Folder Icon to the right of the lower box and navigate to your Zip Drive. Then select "Open". Click "Next"
6.) Click "Next" on this Window.
7.) Now type a name in the box. In your case it would be: Favorites Backup 1504 (You can't use "slashes" in a file name.) Click "Start"
8.) When it's done Click "Ok".
To Restore put the Zip disk in the drive and select "Restore backed up files" from Wizard's first window. Then follow the Wizard.
Does this help?
brad

[randy]

Thanks for the walk through brad. That helped a lot. As you can tell, I need all the help I can get.

randy

[brad]

No problem. If you need more help, just hollar. brad