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

[David C.]

(I am re-posting this because I didn't get any replies to
the original post.)

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

 

[mrtee]

Try it, let us know what happens.

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| (I am re-posting this because I didn't get any replies to
| the original post.)
|
| 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
|
|
|

 

[cimex]

Yes, just use your CD method on a fake or "throwaway" file, as an
experiment.
However, I doubt it will work with a CD-ROM! Did you mean CD-RW?



Try it, let us know what happens.

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| (I am re-posting this because I didn't get any replies to
| the original post.)
|
| 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 C.]

Yes, just use your CD method on a fake or "throwaway" file, as an
experiment.
However, I doubt it will work with a CD-ROM! Did you mean CD-RW?

Oops,<smacks forehead>, DUH, yeah, I meant CD-RW.
Thanks for the reply.

David