Burn vs backup

[Marianne]

I wanted to "backup" my "documents" which are consist of simply psd, jpg,
html files. There are no music videos, etc. involved. I haven't been able to
figure out how to successfuly backup the files but I can and have been able
to burn to a disc. Are there any compromises to the integrity of these files
that can take place in a burn??

 

[philo]

I wanted to "backup" my "documents" which are consist of simply psd, jpg,
html files. There are no music videos, etc. involved. I haven't been able to
figure out how to successfuly backup the files but I can and have been able
to burn to a disc. Are there any compromises to the integrity of these files
that can take place in a burn??

You did the right thing...
if you simply burn your files to a CD or DVD you can retrieve them from most
any machine.

If you use Windows backup, they can only be retrieved from re-running
windows backup...
and would probably not be retrievable from any machine other than one having
the same version of "Backup" on it.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

If only others were smart enough to do the same..

 

[Steve Thackery]

The advantage of a proper backup program is that you make much more
efficient use of any disk space.

Unfortunately, as Philo says, many "backup" programs compress or otherwise
mess with the files so that they are restorable only by that particular
backup program.

"Burning" the files to CD or DVD is a great way to preserve them. They
maintain their original format and are readable on pretty well any computer.
I recommend it.

SteveT

 

[Joseph Meehan]

You have a good system. Remember to make a new back up from time to
time. It is a good time to send the earlier back up to a relative or
friend. That way if something happens to you machine or you home burns
down, you still have a backup. I send mine out of town so even the worst
event is not likely to get all of them, although I might not be around to
care.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I wanted to "backup" my "documents" which are consist of simply psd, jpg,
html files. There are no music videos, etc. involved. I haven't been able to
figure out how to successfuly backup the files but I can and have been able
to burn to a disc.

You are using the word "backup" as if is has some fancy technical
meaning above and beyond having a second copy of the files you need.
It doesn't have such a meaning. You *have* created a backup. You don't
have to use a dedicated "backup" program to create a backup.

Are there any compromises to the integrity of these files
that can take place in a burn??

No.