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Backup of Computer Information Systems

Backups to your personal computer data and business computer data are of the utmost importance in today's society. Almost everything we have as data can be lost at anytime. It's crucial to understand the different backup types. Six main types of backups exist: Full, differential, incremental, selective, continuous data protection or CDP, and a reciprocal backup.

Full Hard drive backups

A full backup includes all files in the computer system. This backup takes the longest because it includes all the files on the computer system. Many companies only choose to do full backups at specified times such as monthly or weekly. Companies may also consider backing up computers when fewer people are on the system as the backup can tax a computer system's performance. Full backups usually require large amounts of storage space.

Differential vs Incremental Backups Uncovered

A differential backup has all the files since the full backup. While the storage space for a differential backup can be much lower than a full backup, this type of backup still requires storage space. Restoring data in a differential backup can be slower than a lesser backup such as an incremental backup.

An incremental backup stores data in increments or smaller groups. It usually includes data added at a certain time. For example, a full backup is done every first Monday of the month. Every weekday incremental backups are done for data added on the previous day. It seems to overlap with a differential backup. It doesn't take as much storage space to do an incremental backup as a full or differential backup.

A selective backup backs up certain select files such as operating system files or high priority files with sensitive data. It makes more sense to do this type of backup when backing up data that constantly changes like a customer database. A selective backup doesn't necessarily take as much space but can leave other important information unprotected if a full backup has not been done recently.

What is Continuous Data Protection?

Continuous Data Protection or CDP involves a computer system automatically making a backup every time specified information is changed on the computer system. It creates a restore point which  the user or administrator backs up when needed. It usually involves some form of backup on another computer system such as a server system.

A reciprocal backup relationship involves using a third party to get backup copies in case of lost data. Examples of this type of relationship include online storage of data such as photographs and files. While much of this type of backup involves storing personal data, businesses have started using reciprocal backup to protect their data.

To implement these backup methods, most companies have in place a backup plan. Backup plans are the policies governing how, when and what data needs protection. Some of these policies include policies that govern how the backup policies affect the company. It would be wise that a company involves all the parties that would be involved in the backups including the IT departments and administrators of the computer information systems. Companies should give copies of the backup policies to any personnel involved in restoring the data.

Computer Backup: Location, Location, Location

When considering backups, location is important. Backups that occur only at one place are less secure. It's because a disaster such as a fire is likely to destroy the backup as well as the main data source. An alternative site can improve the odds that your information is safe.

Hot and Cold Computer Backup

A cold site is a site where both the backup and main copy of the data is stored. This is less safe than a hot site. A hot site is another site separate from where the main data is located.

Harddrive Failover

A fail over is another computer that replaces the main computer when it fails for any reasons. It's like a backup of the computer system. Think of it as the backup quarterback of a football team. He's ready to step in if the quarterback should fail at his duties.

Computer Hard drive Backup Planning

Businesses should put considerable thought into a backup policy. Companies should document backup policies carefully and occasionally revise to compensate for any changes in the business. Policies should include types of backup methods, time lines of backups (i.e., when backups should occur) and possible recovery plans.

Computer Backup: What Data Should be Backed Up?

The first things that companies should back up are operating systems, crucial data to the company and personnel data. Companies should have lists of software including system software that are on the computers at their places of business. These lists help prioritize the data companies should back up.
Computer Backup: Are You Ready for a Disaster?

Many companies implement a disaster recovery plan into their business policies. This is an important step in protecting the data on their computer information systems. Disaster can be environmental such as storms, floods, fires or they can be a disaster such as information theft or virus attacks.

Disaster recovery is a plan to back up data, equipment and other important components of a computer information system and also physical properties such as buildings and company vehicles. In this report, though, we are discussing the computer information part of the disaster recovery plan.

Computer Backup: Components of a Disaster Recovery Plan

The main components of a disaster recovery plan include the hierarchy of personnel to call in case of emergencies, a complete inventory list of equipment, and a time line for recovery. This timeline should include possible short term solutions if the business can't continue it's production immediately. Companies should also continuously test the plan and complete a written documentation of the disaster recovery plan.

It's important to have the names and contact information of people who might be involved when disaster strikes. Many people are shocked when a disaster hits. It helps to know who to call in case of an emergency. In the disaster recovery plan, list all people who are involved and a chain of command. The chain of command should begin with the top person to call if such a disaster were to occur.

A complete inventory list is important. It helps to know the date purchased, model and serial numbers, manufacturer, location and all the other necessary information in case the equipment is lost in the disaster.

A time line that states when the business expects to be up and running after a specified disaster should be implemented into the recovery plan. This time line should have back up plans in case production is down for an extended period of time. For example, Company XYZ prints credit card statements and a fire occurs destroying the equipment that processes these statements.  Questions may arise about how would these statements now get printed until the company can replace equipment.

Testing of the plan is crucial to keep people in the loop. Have mandatory meetings complete with possible scenarios that could happen in a disaster. Do this testing often to keep people aware of the potential of new disasters.
Written documentation should be available for any company employee. It also helps to revise occasionally and reread the policies to see what clarifications or changes can be made to make it a better policy.

Computer Backup: Emergencies

Emergencies happen even at places of business. Most businesses have an emergency plan in place for every major disaster that could occur. These include fires, floods, and theft or other major crime. Like a disaster recovery plan, these emergency plans require testing. For example, a company might test the fire escape plans to see how the procedures might be better carried out. These plans will vary according to the disaster with which they coincide. For example, policies regarding theft would differ from those regarding floods or fires.

Emergency plans should include contact information, reporting procedures, and backup plans regarding recovery time lines or even personnel loss.

Computer Backup: A Link Between Present and Past

Information of the past was mostly paper based such as books, parchments and scrolls. Emergencies of the past that involved disasters such floods and fire drew tremendous losses. That's because many such disasters completely destroyed information. Many of these books or paper-based sets of information were unique, rare or hard to reproduce.

Today's information systems make it easier and easier to backup that information. Information is being shared and stored at greater capacities. It's easier to make data fire proof, water proof, theft proof and so on.

I have a Compaq Presario PC I bought nine years ago and it has been a fairly good computer. The exact model number is: SR 1913WM. I recently had to install a new hard drive and since then while the computer is in use, my processor fan will start running on high for a few minutes and then will go back to running at a lower speed. It just continually runs through this cycle of high and then back to low. The fan will continually run on high while the screensaver is going and also while playing games. Any ideas?

Typically, computers work harder when performing certain tasks such as gaming, downloading music, or downloading pictures. When this happens, the processor fan also works harder. Since you recently swapped out your old hard drive with a new one, it is possible that the computer must now work harder when booting up due to the size of the hard drive. Try the following suggestions to see if you can resolve the problem of the noisy CPU fan. Since the fan noise is associated with your computer' start up and resource- hogging activity such as gaming, it is likely that nothing is actually wrong.

Troubleshooting Noisy CPU Fan: Overheating

An accumulation of dirt might exist leading to overheating or even have been dislodged while you installed the new hard drive. Disconnect the computer from the power source and check for dirt. You can use a can of compressed air to remove any dirt or dust that you find. Additionally, you need to make sure that sufficient space exists around the computer to avoid overheating due to blockage of the air vents.

Troubleshooting Noisy CPU Fan: Physical Set Up

It is possible that you dislodged either the fan or the cables inside the computer when you replaced the hard drive. If this is so, the cable could be hitting the fan or the fact that the fan is ajar could be causing the noise. Disconnect the computer from its power source, open the case, and check the fan out to see if you can see any physical problems.

Troubleshooting Noisy CPU Fan: Heatsinks

It is possible that your computer's heatsink is in need of adjustment. The heatsink is responsible for attracting and dissipating the heat within the computer. It is attached to the processor and is responsible for getting the air properly distributed with the cpu fan. If your heatsink does not have a sufficient amount of thermal compound on it, it can function improperly. This compound acts as a seal between the heatsink and the area of the computer that it is responsible for cooling. If you do not have enough thermal compound on the heatsink it is possible that this is responsible for the added noise. Check it out and add a fine layer of the thermal compound if it is needed. This is a tricky process, so if you aren't comfortable with it, you should get someone else to deal with it.

Troubleshooting Noisy CPU Fan: Faulty Fan

In some cases, especially when all of your troubleshooting has not resolved the problem, the only thing left to do is to replace the fan. Fans do stop working and a noisy fan could be the first sign of this.

I have files on two old hard drives on a computer that is no longer able to recognize a keyboard due to equipment failure. However the files, programs and data stored on the attached hard drives are required. How do I access these files and can I get these back? Your assistance would be most helpful.

You have a couple of options that are available to you. First, I'd like to ask if you have tried another keyboard as an option or booting up into "Safe Mode?" If not, then you might want to try that first. Otherwise, the following options are available to you.

Retrieving Hard Drive Data: Swap out the Hard Drive to Second Computer

One of the easiest options that you have is to remove the hard drives from the broken computer and place them into a second or borrowed computer. Once you do so, you can readily access the drives and transfer the data to another storage device.

Retrieving Hard Drive Data: External Hard Drive Case

When you have a hard drive with data that you want to get but the computer it is in doesn't work, you can purchase an external hard drive case with a USB connection. An external hard drive case is designed to house a hard drive that has been removed either form a laptop or a desktop computer. They come with USB connections that make them easy to plug into another computer or laptop. They are designed to provide an additional means of adding a hard drive to a computer that doesn't have room for another one. They are also designed to help computer users access data from a hard drive other than the one inside their computer. A hard drive stored in an external hard drive case should not be used to boot up a computer since it will not perform as well as an internal hard drive.

You simply remove the old hard drive (or in your case, both hard drives) from the non-functioning computer and place it in the external hard drive case. Now, you have an external hard drive! Once the hard drive is safely inside, you plug the external hard drive case into one of the available USB ports on the computer. Now, you should be able to access your files.

Other Options 

Will the computer work with a different keyboard? For example, if you are using a USB keyboard, have you tried the computer with a PS/2 keyboard? Will the Windows load at all? Can you use a mouse? If you can get the computer to function, other options would include uploading the data to an online storage site such as Mozy and then downloading the data to your new computer. 

A hard drive, also known as a hard disk, a hard drive disk, or a fixed disk drive, is basically a computer storage component. On a basic home or office computer the hard drive is used to store the computer's operating system, which is the graphic user interface that facilitates user access and initiation of various programs and applications, other applications and programs, files and folders, personal information, media files such as music and video, and photos, to name a few.

The computer's hard drive stores digital data that is encoded on magnetic platters that rotate inside the computer. There are different aspects of the hard drive, such as these platters, which actually store the data. Platters are mostly made of aluminum, coated with a magnetic layer, and stacked in towers varying in number according to the capacities of the drive. Another device composed of heads and arms, not completely unlike a record player, moves across the platters to both read and write the data stored there. The platters spin very quickly and the magnetic surface, containing tiny, single bits of binary code are coded and decoded by the ‘read and write heads'

When the term ‘drive' is used in computing, it refers to the device used to play or read a memory storage unit. In an example of this description, a CD is the storage unit and the CD player is the drive. The ‘hard' in hard drive is a synonym for fixed or rigid, for the way that the data storage is solid and hard, in contrast to a floppy disk drive that reads flexible, or floppy, disks. As you have no doubt realized through your computer use, once data is stored on the hard drive, no power is required to maintain it: you can turn your computer off and on and data saved on the hard drive will remain available.

In one sense, hard drives offer a permanent storage space for data. The information saved on the hard disk is largely immune to system crashes and powers failures but hard drives are also erasable, a process referred to as formatting as they can easily be wiped clear and re-written, similar to a cassette tape, which also uses magnetic memory. The hard drive is completely controlled by the user who can add and remove data and configure it specifically to suit personal needs.

Hard drives are internal components of the computer system. If you fill up your hard drive space and want to increase your capacity, you can add additional internal hard drives, providing that there is space in the tower case. If you run out of room internally, you can also purchase external hard drives that connect to your computer with either USB or firewire cables. These drives work the same way as internal hard drives with the added benefits of portability. Typical hard drive capacities are currently around 100 to 300GB for laptops and 300-900GB for desktops.

In Part One, we discussed the basics of processors. A microprocessor on its own is great for small electronics, but to be a computer it needs long term storage capacity and access to the information stored there.

Hard Drives

Hard drives are the long term storage devices for information. Every command a computer's processor can use takes up space, called bytes. A byte is 8 bits. What is a bit you ask? Why a bit is a 1 or a 0. This is called the binary system, because there are only two options.

Software has a lot of ones and zeros. Every group of eight in these ones and zeros stands for one character. "Hi" is 01101000 01101001, but the computer does not understand "Hi" as anything more than that. It takes a bunch of these characters, in a programming language for the computer to work.

A small file could be 7 KB. This is 7,000 bytes, each byte with 8 bits, or 56,000 bits of data total. Hundreds of files add up, many much larger than 7 KB, and so the computer stores all of this information onto a hard drive.

Hard drives are measured in bytes. Today's hard drives are frequently described in gigabytes (GB) and newer hard drives even have space for a terabyte (TB), or one million million bytes. The physical aspect of a hard drive is a disk or platter with magnetic properties, and a reader. A diagram looks similar to a record player, but the information is in a digital format.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Hard drives hold the commands, processors interpret and follow commands, but something is missing from the equation.... an expediter! RAM is a helper between hard drives and processors. RAM is measured in the same terms as a hard drive, bytes, but it works very differently.

As hard drives continue to store larger and larger amounts of data, the time it takes a processor to retrieve that data is longer. RAM is short term storage of commands for the processor to keep computing speed up. RAM doesn't use a set physical location for data. Instead data comes and goes in a fluid and random manner.

You may not realize you have seen RAM in action. After a restart, most users watch impatiently as the operating system, web browser, or other application starts up. The lag between the click on an icon, and the actual loading of a program is the time it takes the information to leave the hard drive and make it to the processor. Imagine if you had to wait this long every time you wanted the program to do something, like browse another website, or type letters into a form!

Once the program is open, RAM takes over and keeps the data close to the processor for quicker operations. RAM is the computer component that results in instant computer response from user actions, once a program is open. When the program closes, the memory of the files and data in RAM is dumped. All of this is done with the "master copy" of the data remaining on the hard drive.

Understanding how the basic components of a computer's hardware work won't make you qualified to open the case up and begin maintenance on the computer. Demystifying how the parts work together will make it easier for you to work with technical support, learn how to solve basic computing problems, and make informed purchases of computer equipment. Computers are only big calculators. Hardware makes up the buttons and software is the sequence the buttons are pushed in. Add it all up, and computers are just another tool to make our lives easier, not more frustrating!