Using Briefcase for backing up data files to a CD-ROM disk

[David C.]

I have never used Briefcase before, so I am hoping that
an experienced Briefcase user can help me with my
questions.

A friend of mine has a PC with only an XP restore disk,
so she doesn't have NT Backup or any other backup
program.

I'm thinking of using Briefcase to make it easy for her
to back up her important files to a CD-ROM disk.

I would copy:

1. The folder that has all the OE message files
2. The folder that contains all her Favorites
3. The folder that contains her address book
4. Her My Documents folder

all to a briefcase and then move that briefcase to a CD-ROM
disk formatted with a packet-writing program like InCD.

When she wants to back up those folders, she would insert
the disk into the drive, open the briefcase on the CD-ROM
disk, and click "Update All".

My reasoning is that the files on the harddisk would always
be newer than the files on the CD-ROM disk, so the original
files on the harddisk would never be changed.

I realize that this won't compress the files, but the types and
quantity of files that she has are such that they would easily fit
on a single disk.

Would this work ok for the files mentioned?
Are there any reasons why this isn't a good idea?
Is there any way that this could corrupt the original
files, thus causing data loss?

Thanks,

David

 

[Jake]

-----Original Message-----
I have never used Briefcase before, so I am hoping that
an experienced Briefcase user can help me with my
questions.

A friend of mine has a PC with only an XP restore disk,
so she doesn't have NT Backup or any other backup
program.

I'm thinking of using Briefcase to make it easy for her
to back up her important files to a CD-ROM disk.

I would copy:

1. The folder that has all the OE message files
2. The folder that contains all her Favorites
3. The folder that contains her address book
4. Her My Documents folder

all to a briefcase and then move that briefcase to a CD- ROM
disk formatted with a packet-writing program like InCD.

When she wants to back up those folders, she would insert
the disk into the drive, open the briefcase on the CD-ROM
disk, and click "Update All".

My reasoning is that the files on the harddisk would always
be newer than the files on the CD-ROM disk, so the original
files on the harddisk would never be changed.

I realize that this won't compress the files, but the types and
quantity of files that she has are such that they would easily fit
on a single disk.

Would this work ok for the files mentioned?
Are there any reasons why this isn't a good idea?
Is there any way that this could corrupt the original
files, thus causing data loss?

Thanks,

David




.
What you are trying to do sounds OK as long as it is OK

with your friend. MS Works Suite has this feature, only
make sure you use a CD-RW and not a CD-R. Suites is not
a part of the WinXP program, you must purchase it
separately. There may be some freeware or shareware
available that will do the same thing. Some post readers
may know where to get one. You can add, delete, update
and format RWs but a CD-R is for record only (one time).