Hope I did thar right Computer thing

I always backup my accounting program on a zip drive,but I've been concerned with having so many pictures and documents. I bought another zip drive today. I wondered if I should just backup the pictures and documents files? The wife said to just put it in and backup the whole Windows program right from the desktop. I did. Took close to an hour. Did that backup the picture and document files too?

About the only thing I can back up is my trailer, then not good at that, much less my computer. When I lost all my information including pictures, from a scammer. The repair guy gave me a little thing plugged into my computer. I guess he felt sorry for me. He said it's storing my information. Other than that I have no idea, how to back up anything on my computer. I guess it's time to learn. Stan

A full System Image occasionally is a good idea, just be sure to keep it unplugged except when you are actually backing up the system.

I prefer backing up selective files like pictures and documents to DVDs. Once written they can be stored in a separate building, because everyone here knows what a house fire can do to your life.

What would happen if I tried to just backup those two files on that same zip drive? My son has backed up pictures on the zip that I use for my accounting files without hurting anything.

What confused me this time when I backed up everything to that zip,it didn't say "Backup complete" like it does with my accounting. The green line just went away.

Pictures take up a lot of room. If I was you I'd put all accounting files on a separate zip drive, maybe two separate zip drives. I put pictures on a separate zip drive and the accounting files on another zip drive just because I know the accounting zip will have enough room next time I back up the accounting files. I actually do a double back up with the accounting files. One backup goes on an external hard drive that I back up every time I exit the accounting program. Once a month or so I back to a zip drive too just in case something happens to both hard drives.

I have a desktop and 2 laptops for home and business and for a small annual fee I subscribe to Carbonite. I have had complete computer crashes and once the computer is fixed and the programs reinstalled, all the information is available, as long as you save your entries. If you get a new computer, you can download all of your info. They are based in the US, speak English, and are extremely helpful. I highly recommend them.

Application and data files should never be stored in the same directory, and they should be backed up separately. In general, you shouldn't need to back up applications at all, because you should have the distribution CD and when you restore your system you can just re-install the application.

I use Carbonite also, and it has saved me a couple of times.

What version of Windows?

That's what I thought,but,don't argue with the wife.

7 I think. Does it make a difference?

(quoted from post at 06:29:21 01/31/16) 7 I think. Does it make a difference?

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Just for a link to a guide if it's 7. Automatic backup.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/

You can plug in your drive, manually start a backup, and it will take care of it if you don't want to manually copy files and folders. If your computer fails, or you get a new one, plug in the backup drive, go in and restore, it automatically puts your files where they belong. It keeps multiple versions too if you accidentally delete something.

I don't know how big your files are, flash drives work, external hard drives have more room. I like this kind, they are a regular laptop size hard drive, and it's only got one plug to plug in, it's powered by USB (some external hard drives need electric plugged in too). They've rarely had smaller ones on clearance at Walmart for $30 or so. I've got a couple of my own, one is 6 years old, no issues. This is an ok price if it stays in stock, this is a reputable store selling on ebay if you've never heard of them, I've ordered from them before.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-My-Passport-Ultra-2TB-USB-3-0-Portable-Hard-Drive-2015-Newest-Model/391370197040
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adorama

There are online backup services, some paid, some free. Google has a fair amount of file and photo backup. Flickr also has a lot for photos and videos. And Microsoft has some, but less than they used to. Dropbox has a small amount. All of them have programs that make the process fairly automatic. If you have unlimited Internet, they are decent options without having to pay money. And it doesn't hurt to have more than one backup method. If you are interested, I can explain the options, not difficult to set up. Carbonite is a good pay option.