User data storage, or storage of the files created by and/or collected by a computer user, is a topic not frequently considered but one that can be of the utmost of importance. Whenever I find myself servicing a computer that has a single drive and partition I often ask the client to consider the benefits of storing all user created files in a central location that is not on the operating system partition. So far, 99% of all people I've discussed this issue with indicate that their data files are not that important, or they don't have much on the computer anyway, or some other reason why they needn't take action to protect their data files. 100% of all cases where I find myself working on a computer that no longer boots, or one that has been infested with malicious code (virii, spyware, etc.), the most important item to the client is their user created data... they want it salvaged if at all possible.

Over time, you see, whether you are a power user, or an e-mailer and web surfer exclusively, or you just use your computer for typing up documents and/or preparing your taxes, we all accumulate a fair amount of user created/collected files that have some importance to us... and in some cases, significant importance. It is not unreasonable, then, to organize our computers in such a way as to provide assurances that those files we've created and collected are there when we need them, even after a computer catastrophe of one kind or another.

Microsoft has kindly provided users of its operating systems with a place to store user data files. That place is under documents and settings on the operating system partition. That is very kind of Microsoft, and I'm sure the company meant well. However, the operating system partition is the worst place to put files that you want to protect. The biggest reason for this is in many cases where the operating system must be reinstalled for whatever reason, all the pre-existing files in that partition are lost. That is not always the case, but as I said, often is. If you have viral infections that cannot be cleaned due to infection of system files, the financially viable option to properly fix the computer is to reformat that partition and start over.

Computers generally ship with only one partition on a single hard drive. A good first step in protecting your data files is to create another partition on that drive. Goldstream I.T.'s tool of choice to perform that function is Partition Magic 7.01. Powerquest, the maker of Partition Magic, was purchased by Symantec Corporation. Symantec has released Partition Magic 8. With Partition Magic you can shrink the size of your original partition and then create a 2nd logical partition on the same drive. As many iterations of the NTFS file system exist, it is ideal to format the new partition using the operating system formatting utility, if you're using NTFS. If you're using a file system other than NTFS, go ahead and use Partition Magic to format the partition for you as well. Windows XP does contain the required utilities to create multiple partitions on your single hard drive, but to do so you'll have to format all and start over. Partition Magic makes what can be a very difficult and time consuming process relatively quick and relatively easy.

Once you have a 2nd partition, create an organizationl directory for storing your various types of files that you want to keep and protect. Look at the task similarly as you would look at organizing a file cabinet. Your first level of directory names (called folders in computerspeak) would be like the file cabinet drawers, and inside those drawers you would have additional folder names that would individually hold (store) your various categories of data. For example, one drawer level folder might be labeled "downloads". In that drawer you might break down your downloaded files into folders named: "drivers", "programs","images", and etc. Another drawer level folder name might be images, where you would store your digital images, video, etc., in appropriately named directories. You get the idea, and if you don't, we're a phone call or e-mail away. With your data now on a 2nd partition, you've solved the problem of losing data due to a corrupted operating system that requires repair. That is the first step to protecting your data.

The next step is to install a 2nd hard drive and to regularly copy or backup your data files onto the 2nd hard drive. That'll give you two copies of your data files, and should one of the hard drives ever fail, you've still got your data files on the other.

Programs all come with a default place to store data. By directing each program where to store the files created while using that program, you establish and maintain control over your important computer data files, a job that is far too important to leave to software manufacturers who arene't adversely affected when you lose your important data. Furthermore, with all of your data files located in a predetermined place withing your hard drive file structure, it becomes very easy to find, retrieve, use, and backup those files. Most computers come with a CD Reader/Writer nowadays. Most of us can store all of our data files on a CD for extra protection.

If you would like Goldstream I.T. to help you set up your computer to organize and enhance protection of your data files, let Bill know by phone (479-5666) or e-mail.