* Back Ups

[burtybee]

Hi Folks, Totally new to FHV6. I'm backing up each time I exit and notice that each back up appears in "My Documents" (I have five at present).. Am I right in thinking that it's okay to delete all backups EXCEPT the latest one. Best wishes, Burtybee

[Peter Collier]

Theoretically, yes. However, if you discover you need to restore some data you accidentally changed several days ago, but you only have a back up from 24 hours ago...

[davidm_uk]

You say that backups appear in "My Documents", presumably on your C: drive (which is where "My Documents" gets created by default). So if your C: drive crashes or gets corrupted you lose all your backups!

You should read the FHUG glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery in particular the section towards the end "Making a Safe Backup".

Then have a think about what you need, and what you'd be comfortable in setting up (and this is relevant to all of your data, not just the family history stuff).

If you have questions after you've read the KB pages(s) then come back here.

You are very exposed at the moment, so please take this seriously.

[tatewise]

Burty, in your previous posting Deleting information (14031) I advised that as a newcomer you study the topics in how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers and follow the links into the rest of our [kb]how_to:index|[/kb].

One of those links was glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery that explains about risk analysis, and various backup options, not just for your Project data, but also FH customisations and preferences using a Plugin.

It is important to get your backup regime in place, because too many users post here after they have lost their database following a disk crash or PC crash, and expect some magic cure!

[burtybee]

Thanks for fulsome and helpful advice folks. This Forum is a wonderful facility for a "grumpy old man" like me who is anything but computer literate and not at all familiar with many of the phrases used. On this particular one I will get into the habit of backing up onto a stick once a week as well as sending it as normal to my 'C' drive. Thanks again. Burty

[davidm_uk]

A "stick" is a whole lot better than nothing, and given that quite big capacity sticks are not a lot of money, I'd back things up every day - well actually I do, but to four different places, including the cloud! And I don't overwrite previous backups, well at least not for a year. Some stuff I have archives going back over 10 years.

Just don't leave the stick plugged in, or a fault with the computer (hardware or software) could trash it - or a burglar swipe the lot, or a fire destroy the lot.