208 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

The modem is on, set up properly and still will not

transmit or receive data.

Make sure the line has a dial tone. Connect a telephone
handset to the line to check this.
The other system may be busy or off line. Try making a test
transmission to someone else.
Develop good computing habits
Make sure you are prepared.

Save your work frequently.

You can never predict when your computer will lock, forcing
you to close a program and lose unsaved changes. Many
software programs build in an automatic backup, but you
should not rely solely on this feature. Save your work! See
“Computing tips” on page 83 for instructions.

On a regular basis, back up the information stored on

your hard disk.

Here are some ways you can do this:
❖Copy files to CD/DVD or diskette, following the steps in
“Saving your work” on page 93.
❖Connect a tape drive to the system and use specialized
software to copy everything on the hard disk to a tape.
Some people use a combination of these methods, backing up
all files to tape weekly and copying critical files to the media
of their choice on a daily basis.
If you have installed your own programs, you should back up
these programs as well as your data files. If something goes
wrong that requires you to reformat your hard disk and start
again, reloading all your programs and data files from a
backup source will save time.