Back Up for a Small Business

[CShirey]

Hi,
A friend is a tax accountant and to my great surprise he doesn't have a back up for his computer! He is so detail oriented I can not believe his missed this crucial step. I have not seen the computer yet; I know he runs Win 98 and that it is a relatively smaller size computer. He bought a new computer with all the bells and whistles <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15> but is hesitant to transfer the information to the new computer right before tax season starts. He will be moving the business after this season and plans to set up the new computer then.
Question: What is the best way to back up this type of business? I was thinking an external hard drive and a good back up program (suggestions?) because he works 18 hours a day during this season and needs it to be as automated as possible. What do you who know better <img src=/S/salute.gif border=0 alt=salute width=15 height=20> suggest? If he goes with an external hard drive that is big enough it can be used to back up the new computer when the time comes.

My next question is what is the best way to set up the new computer? Load each program (provided they are XP compatible!) and then transfer the files from the back up? I know there must be a better /easier /more efficient way but at this time it alludes me...
Thanks for your time. Always appreciate your help.

[CShirey]

Hi everyone,
Still hoping someone has some suggestions about this for me - tax season is right around the corner!

<img src=/S/thankyou.gif border=0 alt=thankyou width=40 height=15>

[StuartR]

I think that an external hard drive is probably a good idea for the backups, but I don't have any advice for Windows8 backup software, it's so long since I needed to do this that I no longer know which products work with Windows98.

When I have had to transfer data to a new computer I have usually taken the disk out of the old system and mounted it as a temporary data disk in the new one. This allows data files to be copied across as needed and ensures that anything forgotten is easy to get at. About a year after the migration completes the old disk can then be reformatted as a backup or data disk for the new system.

StuartR

[WyllyWylly]

<hr>what is the best way to set up the new computer<hr>

You're going to find nearly as many answers to this as you will computer users. <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15> Best practices include: copy data to a backup location, twice, so that when your backup does blow up (and it will sooner or later) you have another backup handy. Test your backup copies before relying on them particularly if they include client information. Keep at least one off-site copy of the information so you aren't screwed in the event of a catastrophe.

If it were me, I would start fresh with the new computer. Install Windows XP onto it and add the applications necessary one at a time, including anti-spyware/virus/spam tools and a firewall if the Internet will be connected. Plan in advance, get all the copies of the software you will need and any relevant product/license codes so you don't have to hunt for anything when the time comes.

Hope that helps,

[bigaldoc]

I think Stuart is onto something with the EXTERNAL drive suggestion. And of course anyone Lounging here for awhile expects me (and others) to chime in with the fact that Acronis TrueImage is not difficult to operate and their web does say that it supports Win98 (under system requirements).

[CShirey]

Thanks, all, for your assistance. I have recently found out about another problem and a Google search didn't help.
Here comes another post!

Again, <img src=/S/thankyou.gif border=0 alt=thankyou width=40 height=15>