new computer (Page 2): I don't use Windows "My Documents". I created a new directory called the same in the C: root directory. I also don't use "Downloads" unless it defaults to this.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Longshadow wrote:

I have two folders off the root called "Backups" and "Downloads".
I dislike drilling down through "My Documents".
(They are also backed up by Carbonite.)

I don't use Windows "My Documents". I created a new directory called the same in the C: root directory.
I also don't use "Downloads" unless it defaults to this. I use Firefox and downloads go straight to a directory called 'Sources' or wherever I so select.
If you have 2 directories coming from the root directory then you only have one copy if the C: drive goes down.
The original and a Carbonite copy is not enough in my opinion.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

chrissybabe wrote:

I don't use Windows "My Documents". I created a new directory called the same in the C: root directory.
I also don't use "Downloads" unless it defaults to this. I use Firefox and downloads go straight to a directory called 'Sources' or wherever I so select.
If you have 2 directories coming from the root directory then you only have one copy if the C: drive goes down.
The original and a Carbonite copy is not enough in my opinion.

This is true. Maybe I should have stated all the backups that I do, including my two locals, but I didn't find it necessary to do so. The files are safe.

I even have Spiderpad, a no longer supported HTML editor that I love, backed up on two computers, two fobs, two locals, OneDrive, and a copy on my website server. I guess that file is in 8-10 places (I really don't want to loose it!).

I have Firefox set to default save to C:\Downloads, where I select/create a sub-directory, but I also have it set to ask me each download as I might put other items in a more appropriate place.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Sounds like you are on to it. Experience has taught me that you cannot have too many backups.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

chrissybabe wrote:

Sounds like you are on to it. Experience has taught me that you cannot have too many backups.

Well, 31 drives may be too many.....

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Longshadow wrote:

Well, 31 drives may be too many.....

Not if you can afford it.

A person can not enough camera equipment to take photos and not enough backup space.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

frankraney wrote:

Not if you can afford it.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

chrissybabe wrote:

I hope you have TWO USB sticks !!

The key factor is that if your backups are on the same drive as the original then you're susceptible to failure of that drive.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

R.G. wrote:

The key factor is that if your backups are on the same drive as the original then you're susceptible to failure of that drive.

Hmmm.
When are backups not a "backup"?
When they are a copy of the data, like when Quicken "backs up", used for portability.
The "backup file" is in the directory called "backups" so I can easily find it and restore (any modifications) to a current copy of quicken running on the laptop. Just a copy of the data in this case, but still called a backup.

(Besides, my directory C:\Backups, along with my C:\Downloads, is backed up regularly, and by Carbonite.)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Longshadow wrote:

Hmmm. br When are backups not a "backup"... (show quote)

Presumably your backups of your Backups are not on the same C: drive. You obviously don't need to have these things pointed out, but quite a few of the watchers are looking to pick up basic pointers like that. Failure of any drive is always a possibility, which is why we don't want to keep all of our eggs in the same basket. Having passwords and activation codes in writing somewhere is an extra level of safety.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

R.G. wrote:

Presumably your backups of your Backups are not on the same C: drive. You obviously don't need to have these things pointed out, but quite a few of the watchers are looking to pick up basic pointers like that. Failure of any drive is always a possibility, which is why we don't want to keep all of our eggs in the same basket. Having passwords and activation codes in writing somewhere is an extra level of safety.

Correct. My C:\backups is not a "backup" folder, but a common storage area for a program's "backup process" files, from which I can do a "restore" to the main or another computer where I have the same program running. Like the genealogy program. Primary (master) information is on the desktop. I can do a "backup" of the data to C:\Backups\Rootsweb and then do a "restore from backup" on the laptop so the data matches.

Every program that saves a "backup" wants to place it in some directory. Mine are all in the directory called "Backups", with sub-directories called <Program Name>.
These files are also "backed up" when I do my system backup.

Backup {HIC}

Backup {HIC}

...

AlGreg

I have a folder called Downloaded Software. When I download a new program such as Photoshop Elements 2020, I put the application file in a folder called Photoshop Elements 2020. I also put a file with the installation key in a text file. I use word pad or note pad for this file so, being a Windows user, I don't have to have a word processor installed to access the key. I also might have a third file with notes I may need to install this software. I have many folders with many applications and have used this for many years without any problems. I keep this Downloaded Software folder in my documents folder so there is always a backup on OneDrive. It works for me.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

AlGreg wrote:

I have a folder called Downloaded Software. When I... (show quote)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

R.G. wrote:

The key factor is that if your backups are on the same drive as the original then you're susceptible to failure of that drive.

Never on the same drive, even if a different partition (ie. C: & D:).