It is very important that all users backup their critical data on the computer.

 The below steps on how to backup your important data on several operating systems.:-

MS-DOS:-

 MS-DOS can be difficult for users who may not be familiar with the operating system.

To backup data to a floppy within MS-DOS you will need to be familiar with the below commands.

 CD / COPY / DIR / XCOPY Once you have become familiarized with the above commands, use the cd command to get to the directory containing your important data that you need to backup.

 For example: cd important If you do not know the location of the files you would like to backup to a floppy diskette, use the dir command and use the file name you wish to search for.

The below example would search for any word documents on your computer: dir *.doc /s Using the /s switch the computer will search the complete hard disk drive if you are at the C:\>. If you do not know the extension of the files you are looking for, such as doc as used in the above example, see our extension page.

 Once you have located the files you would like to backup, use the copy command to copy the files onto a floppy diskette.

 For example: copy *.doc a: Keep in mind that you may have more files which may fit onto a diskette, therefore you may want to type dir to see the size of all the files combined.

The maximum amount stored on a floppy diskette drive is 1.44 MB. Windows 3.x: To backup your data onto a floppy diskette in Windows 3.x, we recommend that you use File Manager.

To open file manager, from the Program Manager, open the main folder and within main double-click the file manager icon.

Once in file manager, locate the files you wish to copy and highlight them by single clicking them. You can also hold down CTRL and select more than one file at a time.

 Once each of your files have been selected, click File from the drop down menu and select the option to copy the files.

 Once you have selected the option to copy your files, open the A: drive by clicking the A drive icon. Once in the A drive, click File and then click paste. Alternatively, you may also use the MS-DOS method or backing up your files.

 Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, and XP: -

To backup your data onto a floppy diskette in Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, or XP, we recommend that you use Windows Explorer.

To open Windows Explorer, click Start / Programs and then click Windows Explorer.

Once in Windows explorer, locate the files you wish to backup. Once located, highlight the files and click edit and then copy.

 Once this had been completed, open the A: drive under My Computer, click Edit and then click paste.

If you do not know the location of the files you are looking for, you can use the Windows find utility, or if you are looking for data files, it's a good possibility they may be in My Documents which is located in C:\My Documents folder.