OOOPS! My desktop Windows XP system wouldn't print to the HP LaserJet printer so tonight I downloaded and installed new printer drivers. One problem: after installation, the Windows XP system immediately locked up. Control-Alt-Delete did nothing. I eventually powered off, waited a few seconds, then powered it on again. A few seconds later, a message appeared on the screen: "Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR - Please insert another disk"
That is NOT a good message!
That is NOT a good message!
Windows XP wouldn't boot. The computer was dead. Even worse, I recently added new information to my genealogy program installed on that system. That loss could be serious!
Don't feel too bad for me. I have automated processes that make backups every few hours. I have a current backup of my genealogy database on my laptop computer that has the same genealogy software installed, another backup copy on a USB hard drive that plugs into a USB port on the desktop computer, still another backup copy on the portable hard drive that plugs into the USB port on the laptop, and still ANOTHER backup copy on Backblaze, an online backup service that I use. I also have a somewhat out-of-date copy on a thumb drive that I carry in my pocket.
I think I'm covered. Admittedly, this is not my primary computer. I use it mostly for testing new Windows software that I want to write about in this newsletter and also for keeping my primary genealogy database. I use a Mac for most other purposes. After checking my backups, I decided to simply reinstall Windows XP on the dead computer, a process that is still running as I write these words on the Macintosh.
OK, I got saved by backups. Now, let me ask YOU a couple of questions: Do you have a current backup of your genealogy database and all the other files on your computer that are important to you? If your computer crashes right now and refuses to boot, what will you do?
Don't feel too bad for me. I have automated processes that make backups every few hours. I have a current backup of my genealogy database on my laptop computer that has the same genealogy software installed, another backup copy on a USB hard drive that plugs into a USB port on the desktop computer, still another backup copy on the portable hard drive that plugs into the USB port on the laptop, and still ANOTHER backup copy on Backblaze, an online backup service that I use. I also have a somewhat out-of-date copy on a thumb drive that I carry in my pocket.
I think I'm covered. Admittedly, this is not my primary computer. I use it mostly for testing new Windows software that I want to write about in this newsletter and also for keeping my primary genealogy database. I use a Mac for most other purposes. After checking my backups, I decided to simply reinstall Windows XP on the dead computer, a process that is still running as I write these words on the Macintosh.
OK, I got saved by backups. Now, let me ask YOU a couple of questions: Do you have a current backup of your genealogy database and all the other files on your computer that are important to you? If your computer crashes right now and refuses to boot, what will you do?
