Special offer

Online computer backup – Don’t leave home without it!

By
Real Estate Agent with Results Realty

Why online computer back up is so important!A few years ago we had a computer crash and I learned about losing pictures that you can never recover.  I now only have memories of our son's advanced training graduation in the Army.  Shortly after that experience we decided to spend the money with Carbonite to keep our computer backed up.

I really have not given it much thought.  I always see the little Carbonite Icon and so I figure it is working.  My story now springs forward to the present day.  This time it was not a computer crash but Windows 7.  I finally had enough of Vista and decided it was time to upgrade to Windows 7.  My husband backed up all my files and for the first time ever I paid someone to re-format and install Windows 7. 

Later that day my husband then put all my files back on my computer.  Everything looked great until I decided to add a picture in to one of my comments.  That was when I realized there were no pictures in the picture file.  My husband checked our desktop as he had updated my files on the desktop as a safeguard Saved because of online computer back up!but there were no pictures.  He had also backed the files to our external hard drive but again found no pictures.  He had assumed Vista was like XP where the pictures are in my documents but with Vista they are in a separate place.  He did not know realize he had to copy the pictures by them self and thus he did not back up the picture file.  This would have been several years of pictures gone but this time we had Carbonite working in the background.

It has been a bit of a pain getting the pictures back.  We couldn't remember the password and just about had to give them our first born to get a new password. (It is good to know they are so careful with our information). It was a slow process getting the pictures restored.  We started the restoration in the morning and as we went to bed the pictures were still going back on to my laptop.  We finally got all of them and it was worth the hassle to have them back.

If you have not subscribed to an online back up yet I would encourage you to do so now!  Once those Picture saved with Carbonite!precious pictures are gone they are TOTALLY GONE but that's not the case if you have an online back up!  I don't know that it matters which online backup you use.  We chose Carbonite as we got a discount for being a Rush listener but I think they are all about the same.  I can attest to Carbonite; even though it is slow!

I have interspered some pictures that would have been GONE if not for having our computer backed up online.  These were taken just about one year ago in Fort Hood when our son got out of Iraq.  He is now out of the Army and a college student but these are pictures that would have been lost!  It is a precious memory and I'm glad I still have the pictures to go along with the memory!

On a side note so far I am loving Windows 7!!!!  GOODBYE VISTA!!!!

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Online computer backup - Don't leave home without it!!*

 

Comments (27)

Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

I am so happy for you and your family, Marchel that you were able to recover those pictures.  I am so lazy when it comes to doing what you did with Carbonite(I just saw a TV commercial for them today while watching the Purdue NCAA game) in backing up your files.  The cost is very minimial for securing documents and photo archives.  The Boilers will have a tough time in Houston for the "Sweet 16" when they play #1 seed Duke next week.

Mar 21, 2010 12:36 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Marchel, I have two internal hard drives on my computer and back one up into the other.  But doing it also online would add another layer of peace of mind.

Mar 21, 2010 03:24 PM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV

Hi Marchel....I too keep my pictures DOUBLE backed up on a flash or jump drive.  I learned the hard way. Now that I'm so heavily into genealogy and also scanning and saving all our photos for the last umpteen years it's doubly important.  I try to back up every two weeks minimum.  I like the idea of an online backup system though and just may look into it.

Mar 21, 2010 03:39 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

WENDY, I'm loving Windows 7 so far but what a pain getting everything working.  This has made me a huge proponent of online backup.

MARY D., We thought we had them all backed up on to our external hard drive.  Little did we know they were not there until I went to find a picture.  Thank goodness for Carbonite.

KEVIN, In this case we thought we had everyting backed up; scary isn't it!  Thank goodness for online backup.  For $55 a year it is worth the peace of mind.

CHERISE, I would have hated to lose those pictures. As you can tell I highly recommend online backup!

MICHAEL,   I have used the system on our PC where you go back to an earlier time but it wouldn't work this time since we wiped it clean to reformat it.

 

Mar 21, 2010 04:03 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

RUSSELL, I'll be honest the last time I bought a PC I considered a MAC but I have lots of programs and none of them would be compatible.  I hear good things about MACS but I am liking Windows 7.

ANDREA, I thought for a long time before I took the plunge.  I figured it was going to be a PAIN and it has lived up to my expectations.  Now that the PAIN part is over I am loving Windows 7.  As far as back up for $55 a year it is worth the peace of mind!

BRUCE, It is a bit time consuming getting Carbonite going the first time but after that it just quietly runs in the background (all the time).

GEORGE, After this experience I have become a HUGE proponent of online backup.  For the small amount of money the peace of mind is priceless!

MARY, Oh my gosh you woke up your blog!  If you do go with Carbonite put down Rush's name and you will get a discount.  It is only $55 a year and money well spent!

Mar 21, 2010 04:11 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Missy,
YUP YUP,  I use one that is one account of  google for my docs, just for that ! :) it's called all my transactions ! :P   but you are right , disasters are awful ! :P

 

Mar 21, 2010 04:55 PM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

I do my own backups and i'm glad i did. I got rid of Vista and moved to W7. I love it. I dont want to be in the position to EVER lose anything.

Mar 22, 2010 02:41 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Thank goodness you were able to recover the files that are so important to you - I have a back up drive, and you've reminded me to check and make sure it is still doing it's job!

Debi

Mar 22, 2010 02:51 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Marchel,

This is a good reminder for everyone that technology and electronics sometimes fails ( in fact we might go so far  as a to say, when it fails )and we must take precautions , especially for those things that can't be replaced. Even back up drives may not be sufficient and the online back-up services have become so much more reliable. A good reminder to take action while it is still voluntary.

Mar 22, 2010 05:04 AM
Irene Tron
Valparaiso, IN

Thanks for the useful information.  I am still using Vista but didn't realize about the pictures either.  Thanks again.

Mar 22, 2010 06:12 AM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV

Marchel - does carbonite also back up blogs?

Mar 22, 2010 07:52 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Losing pictures is terrible!  I also need to check into my backup system.......never thought about using an online system, but I will investigate that.

Mar 22, 2010 09:51 AM
Andy Chaudoir
Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas - Georgetown, TX
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas

Hello Marchel - I have considered online backup but have been slow to jump in.  I sure would hate to lose all of the kids pictures.  I will take a look at my online options this week.

Mar 22, 2010 06:14 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Marchel, great story I have considered carbonite and now this confirms it. Thanks for sharing your story. On a side note thought I just get a grip on Windows 7 yet.

Mar 24, 2010 12:57 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Marchel this is something I need to do, I know what it feels like to lose files.  Glad you were able to retrieve your photos even though it was a bit tedious.

Mar 24, 2010 04:25 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Marchel~

And the thing is that we got to see your beautiful smile as you stood next to our son...and the pride and joy. Thanks so much for sharing.

Mar 25, 2010 03:08 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I hate Vista.. no wait...that was not strong enough I HATE VISTA.  I just don't know if they can install my screen pen software back on the computer if I have them reformat and put Windows 7 on it and I don't want to rebuy the software.  

Glad that you had Carbonite.

Mar 26, 2010 02:19 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

ROBERT, I'm liking Windows 7.  It is such a treat to re-start my computer and I don't have to go take a nap as it is up right away!

DEBI, We also have a back up drive but in this case it would not have worked as my husband did not realize the files were in a different place.

WILLIAM, I as so thankful that we took that action.  I really was not sure how carbonite worked but I always saw that icon and it did work!!

IRENE, I'm so glad that Vista is just becoming a memory for me!  I was scared to take the plunge but now I'm glad I did.

MARY, I don't know about Carbnoite backing up blogs.  You would have to ask them that question.

Mar 26, 2010 02:44 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

ANN, I always thought an online system would be expensive but at $55 a year it is money well spent.  Shoot I can walk in to the grocery store and spend that much without blinking.

ANDY, If you have kids pictures then I personally think it is an absolute necessity.  My children's pictures are all in albums as we didn't have the Internet back then but now days we tend to not go to the extra effort of printing them.  (By the way I had a closing with a couple today who are moving here from Georgetown.)

CHARLES, So this is a friendly remdinder; did you get Carbonite??

JENNIFER, I would highly recommend having that Carbonite icon running in the background.  It is good to know they are so careful with our personal information.

JANEANNE, That was an Incredible day that I will always cherish.  I'm just glad that I still have the visual picture.

JUDI, There were some complications getting everything to run again. My adobe with scansnap had to be updated as I could not use the printer function.  Overall I'm thrilled with Windows 7 as I HATED VISTA!

 

 

Mar 26, 2010 02:52 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Marchel,  So glad you got your pictures back and your son is so cute.  He looks a lot like you!

Mar 27, 2010 02:59 PM