If Something Goes Wrong

197

Develop good computing habits

Backing up your data or your entire computer with the Windows® operating system

The most valuable component of your computer system is the data you create and store on its hard drive. Since problems with either hardware or software can make the data inaccessible or even destroy it, the next most valuable component of your computer system may be a recent backup of your data.

Fortunately, the Windows® operating system offers a convenient way to back up your computer or just your important files to CDs, DVDs, or hard drives. An external hard drive is recommended in case the internal hard drive fails. No additional software is required. Most of the CD and DVD drives built into recent Toshiba portable computer models can write to (or ‘burn’) as well as read from CDs. External CD and DVD writers are also widely available.

Follow these steps to back up your computer or files to CDs, DVDs, or a hard drive:

NOTE You can not back up the computer while running on battery power. Connect the AC adaptor before continuing.

1Prepare your backup target by connecting it and/or inserting a blank CD or DVD in the drive.

2Click Start.3Click Control Panel.4Click System and Maintenance.5Click Backup and Restore Center.

6You can choose to back up some files or the entire computer. Click either Back up files or Back up computer.

NOTE If you choose to back up your entire computer, you will be setting up a scheduled backup that will be performed periodically, and will only include the changes made since the last backup.

7Follow the on-screen help to complete your backup.For more help, click Start, Help and Support, and search for “back up.”