Given my background in IT, we are going to go a bit off topic here and turn my "disaster" into a lesson that can help it not happen to you.
A little back story first...
I have several computer systems, and a lot of data spread across those systems depending on what it is. A file server for files and applications, media systems, a DVR system to archive newscasts in Boston and Providence. With all of this data, one of the most important things you can do is back things up. I do this in several ways... I use a backup service; utilize Google Drive and Google Photos; use the new Amazon Cloud service; and also have a Microsoft OneDrive account.
Running New England One, I'm sure you can imagine the amount of computer files that I have. Anything from graphics, to spreadsheets, to pictures and logos, and everything in between. Given the large amount of data, I consolidated everything onto one hard drive on my main computer system, and it worked perfectly. Everything was well organized and easy to find.
When Windows 10 came out, I quickly upgraded from Windows 8.1 - the process was easy, seamless, and everything worked afterwards. That is until I started having issues with Windows 10.
Because I upgraded, and didn't do a full system reset, that could have been the cause of my problems. So I decided to start fresh, and do a nice clean installation of Windows 10 onto the system. It worked perfectly! Until I realized it didn't.
Windows 10 not only installed on the incorrect hard drive, it installed on the hard drive that had all of the files for New England One. What a pain. But no need to panic, after all I do have a backup, right?
Not so quick.
I logged into the backup service, and quickly looked at the backups that were online, and could not find my backup. I then had a flashback... when I moved and organized all of the New England One related files to its own hard drive, I missed one small and very crucial step. I forgot to update the settings in the backup program.
I.
Lost.
Nearly.
Everything.
I had to remember that luckily most of the stuff lost is replaceable or can be recreated, and that the loss had no impact on the website itself.
I had some key elements like the logo in Adobe Illustrator format on my laptop, so was able to recover those. I was also able to use a program called EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on the overwritten hard drive, and was able to recover a bunch of stuff - so at least I'm not starting from scratch.
So what's the lesson here?
Backup. Backup. BACKUP!
You can bet the file locations are set correctly in my backup software now.
To help you out, here is what I use to backup everything and why:
Iozeta (http://www.iozeta.com)
What it does: A backup utility installed on your computers (up to 5), that securely uploads all of your data from both internal and external hard drives to their servers.
Storage: Unlimited storage
Price: $3.88-$6.88 per month
Pros: Automated backup, which can be scheduled or set to immediate
Cons: Large files can be slow to download if you need them, but at least they are there and safe. Unlimited backup space is tied to the storage space on your devices - files cannot be only stored in the cloud.
Microsoft OneDrive (https://onedrive.live.com)
What is does: Cloud based file storage, that allows you to not only backup, but work from.
Storage: Depends on your plan. 15GB free, extra 15GB free if you install the phone app and backup your camera roll, and free storage can be earned by referrals. I subscribe to Microsoft Office 365, which comes with all Microsoft Office products and 1TB (soon to be unlimited) storage.
Price: Free for just OneDrive, $6.99+ for Office 365 with OneDrive
Pros: Automated backup, files stored in the cloud can be cloud only. With Office 365, the latest Office programs both on your computer and online.
Cons: Limited customization, can only backup from the OneDrive location that you set on your computer.
Cobian Backup Software (http://www.cobiansoft.com/)
What is does: Highly customizable backup software that allows you to schedule automated local backups. I mostly use it to backup everything on my New England One drive to my Microsoft OneDrive folder, so I have two complete backups on two separate backup providers.
Storage: Depends on what you have, it backs up to internal or external hard drives on your system, or shared drives on another local computer.
Price: Free!
Pros: Automated backup that can be manually run at any time. Second copy of your files locally. Can encrypt your backup files.
Cons: Local backup.
Amazon Cloud Drive (https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive)
What is does: Cloud based storage solution for photos, videos, and anything else.
Storage: Unlimited Photos, or Unlimited Everything
Price: $11.99/year for Unlimited Photos, free if you are an Amazon Prime member. $59.99/year for Unlimited Everything.
Pros: Phone app to backup your camera roll. Good as a second or third backup source.
Cons: It's a completely manual process. There is a computer uploader, and you can also upload directly to the website, but it is all manual. Can not incrementally backup. Online video viewer is limited to 20 minute videos.
Google Photos (https://photos.google.com)
What is does: Cloud based storage for photos and videos.
Storage: Unlimited for "high quality" photos (under 16 megapixels), and Unlimited for videos 1080p and under - can choose original format, which goes against your Google accounts 15GB storage limit.
Price: Free! Can purchase more storage space if you store files in original format.
Pros: Online and computer based uploaders. App for camera roll backup, and photo viewing. Automated effects, movies, stories, etc. for your photos from the Google assistant. All pictures and videos can be viewed online, and shared.
Cons: The computer based uploader is great with photos, but does not handle large video files well.
I hope this will help at least one of you be able to survive a computer crash without any data loss!
