Issue 17.13
Customers are often surprised to find that backups do not actually back up your programs. Typically, your data, pictures, documents, music, videos and sometimes email and contact lists (depending on your email program) are duplicated. What they don’t do is to make a working copy of your programs such as Office, Quicken, PhotoShop, Printmaster and almost all other commercial programs. Even if you have an online backup service such as Mozy or Carbonite, if you ever need to restore your files you will find that most programs (including the operating system) are either not backed up or do not work when you restore them. The files are there, but unless the installation files are there and are run to install the program, it does not run.
The reasons for this are many, but the main problem is that programs are not just a collection of files. When a program is installed it places a large number of files on your computer, usually under the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folders. Additionally, they usually place additional files in a number of other places such as Windows, System and many others as well as making changes to the computer registry (the file that keeps track of what each program needs and where everything is located). Backing up and restoring the folder with your program will not make it run because it does not have all these peripheral files installed and the programming links that tell the computer how to run the program do not exist in most backups.
Additionally, many programs (especially the expensive ones) have secret key codes that they place in hidden files on your computer. When you run the program, it checks to see if the key code is where it is supposed to be and if not, you get an error saying you must reinstall the program to use it. These codes are restricted from being copied by most programs.
All of this means that you need to be sure you keep track of and a physical copy of both your installation disks and any installation keys or product install codes that come with your programs. That means keeping info including the file you downloaded if you buy programs online for immediate installation. That way, you can reinstall most programs if you need to.
There is another way of backing up your complete hard drive called “mirroring” or “imaging” which copies everything including hidden files and operating system files. There are a number of good programs out there that do this, but you must have a second hard drive in your system which is dedicated to just being a backup. Some programs allow you to do the same thing with an external hard drive, but usually they don’t work as well. I have found that, even with these systems there are some programs that will not run from the mirrored drive unless they are reinstalled. It is just another way the software companies protect themselves from piracy, but it does make it hard on you, the end user.
It is important to realize this so you can prepare in case your hard drive dies or your computer is stolen or destroyed – and remember to always back up anything that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 30 years, 20 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.