Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Files to backup?

  1. #1

    Default Files to backup?

    My laptop is dead but I may be able to get some files off it. What files do I grab to transfer info from Outlook, Outlook Express, IE and Firefox?

    After I grab these important files I'm going to run it over with my truck just for a little satisfaction.

    Thanks,

    Aaron

  2. #2

    Default

    I don't think you can get your address book in outlook, but you can get your emails. They are probably in a hidden folder, so depending on which version of windows you are using, go to control panel and find the folders options and check the display hidden files and folders box. You could also do a search for the outlook folders extension. I forget where it is, but a quick google search should tell you. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I haven't used outlook in several years.

    As far as Firefox goes, go to C documents and settings -> your user name -> application data -> mozilla - firefox -> profiles; and copy the profiles folder. Or just copy the firefox folder. Application data is a hidden folder as well so you need to do the display hidden files and folders as described above.

    I use win 2k. XP should be similar. No idea in Vista.

    You might want to consider cutting over to Thunderbird from Outlook or Outlook Express. Works great and to back it up you just copy the profile folder under Application Data.

  3. #3

    Default

    Thanks, that should get me started. In the last three weeks I've had to buy new phones, an all-in-one and now a laptop on CyberMonday. This sucks!

  4. #4

    Default

    Get an external hard drive while you are at it and back up!

  5. #5

    Default

    When I got a new machine, my Outlook .pst files brought over not only my emails but also my address book and calendar. You do need to make sure that Outlook is NOT running when you copy the .pst file (as I found out after trial and error).

    On my computer, the file was in:
    C:\Documents and Settings\<MyUserName>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

    Also, if you did any archiving (including auto archiving) make sure to copy the archive.pst before you fire up that truck...

  6. #6
    Mr. Tax Man
    Array
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    1,336

    Default

    If you use Outlook Express, I believe it's backup is infamous for leaving out your contacts. If that's the case, if you go to your address book, there should be a way of saving all of the contacts. I know I've done it before!

    Getting a new computer can be quite a hassle.

    As for your other question regarding bookmarks and such, with FireFox, go to Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks. There you can back them up.
    Small Business CPA
    "A tax loophole is something that benefits the other guy. If it benefits you, it's tax reform."

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Array
    orion_joel's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    1,242

    Default

    Outlook is fantastic for keeping everything in one place, the pst file. While Outlook express has the worst storage method i have seen, where every folder is a different file and contact's are in a different file sometimes stored seperate to the actual mail files.

    Unless you selected a different location though you should find the pst file in the above mentioned location, this is where mine is.
    Joel Brown
    My Travels

  8. #8

    Default

    Thanks everyone. Now for another twist. I found the new laptop I wanted online at Staples. I go to our local store and the laptop is a different price. He said if I wanted the online price I would have to order it online. So I left the store even more frustrated. I searched around online at a few different places and ended up ordering it from Staples and saved $150 from the store price. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Thursday to get it. My dream of someday living "off the grid" seems ever more appealing after my day yesterday.

  9. #9
    Mr. Tax Man
    Array
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    1,336

    Default

    I'm surprised Staples didn't honor the online special, unless it was exclusively marked "Online Only Special". I'm pretty certain no stores are franchised, so it's all corporate anyways.

    Ah well -- let them pay for S&H.

    On a side note, I do have insurance on my laptop and have had a nightmare last year when my headphone jack broke and went inside. I was without this laptop from Thanksgiving to early January. It was sent from me to Staples, back to me, to HP, back to me, back to Staples, back to me, then back to Staples because of another issue while being repaired, then back to me. Of course this was all by mail and they don't let you ship it out yourself. I had to call their tech support each time, and then they sent a box to my house to use to ship out. It was the worst experience I ever had with tech support. Oh, and they lost my insurance paperwork too, to add to the complication. I stopped counting the hours I was on the phone with them.

    No worries though! :-D
    Small Business CPA
    "A tax loophole is something that benefits the other guy. If it benefits you, it's tax reform."

  10. #10

    Default

    I may have said it above, or in another post, but if a computer is key to your business, you really should have two. In my case, I really only need desktops, but I have two of them. My wife has a laptop that I'm going to use while traveling over christmas. A refurbished laptop should only be about 400 or so. A little older and slower, but for a lot of people its such a critical part of business, that just having the backup is necessary.

    Look at geeks.com I've bought a lot of stuff from them and they frequently have laptop sales. It's really just an insurance policy.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •