There are many ways you can unintentionally lose information on a computer.  A child playing the keyboard like a piano, a power surge, lightning, floods or other disaster. And sometimes equipment just fails.

If you regularly make backup copies of your files and keep them in a separate place, (recommended off site i.e. at work, separate building, safety deposit box or if on site a fire proof safe) you can get some, if not all, of your information back in the event something happens to the originals on your computer.

Deciding what to back up is highly personal. Anything you cannot replace easily should be at the top of your list.  Before you get started, make a checklist of files to back up. This will help you determine what to back up, and also give you a reference list in the event you need to retrieve a backed-up file.  Here are some file suggestions to get you started:

Windows XP Home Edition you may want to buy a backup program or if experienced and know where your data files are stored and know how to drag and drop to a removable media that maybe the way to go.

Windows XP Pro has a built in backup utility - Start > Program Files > Accessories > System Tools > Backup or Start > Run & type in ntbackup.exe