Computer storage devices such as hard drives are susceptible to crashes, which can put any important files that you have stored in danger of being wiped out. Though you can create backups of files and folders on other storage media, you can also use services such as Norton Online Backup or MozyHome to create backups online, after which you can restore the backed-up files whenever you want. However, Norton Online Backup and MozyHome will charge you monthly or yearly to store your files on their servers.

Norton Online Backup1

Download and install Norton Online Backup.

2

Right-click the Norton Online Backup icon on the Windows system tray and select "Backup Now." Norton Online Backup will start backing up your computer automatically. Alternately, you can also back up your computer through the Norton Online Backup website by signing in with the Norton user account that you created during installation.

3

Restore your computer by right-clicking the "Norton Online Backup" icon on the system tray. Select the option labeled "Restore" and enter your Norton username and password. Click the option labeled "File Actions" and then select "Restore Files." Select the files and folders that you want to restore from the "Folders" navigation pane and click "Restore Now." Norton Online Backup will restore the selected files automatically.

MozyHome1

Download and install MozyHome.

2

Open "Mozy Home." To do so, click "Start," click "All Programs," click "MozyHome" and then click "MozyHome Settings."

3

Enter your MozyHome login credentials when prompted.

4

Select the files and folders that you want to back up from the navigation pane under the "File System" tab. After selecting the files, click "OK" to back them up.

5

Select the files and folders that you want to restore from the navigation pane under the "Restore" tab. Click "OK" to restore the selected files and folders.

Carbonite1

Download and install "Carbonite." Carbonite will automatically launch itself after installation.

2

Select "Automatic Backup" if you want Carbonite to backup your files automatically or select "Custom" if you want to select the files that need to be backed up. Click "Next" to start backing up your computer.

3

Restore any backed-up files by using the Carbonite InfoCenter. Click "Start," click "All Programs," click "Carbonite" and then click "Carbonite InfoCenter" to open up the Carbonite InfoCenter. Select "Restore" and then click "Search for files to restore" if you want to restore any specific files that you want or click "Restore all of my files" to restore all your backed-up files.

References Norton Online Backup: How To's Mozy: Documentation Carbonite: Help ResourcesNorton: Norton Online BackupMozy: MozyHomeCarbonite: Home Page

• How to Backup & Restore a Computer Online [10/12/2010 03:00:01]