Got a computer question?

Click here and have your question answered in a Time Saving Tip

Register For Our Newsletter
First Name
Last Name
Email Address

Register for our newsletter to receive our Time Saving Tips by email

We respect your privacy and your email address will not be sold or distributed

 
Time Saving Tips

Search BusinessSoftwareMadeEasy.com

Custom Search

Printer-friendly

Backup your ACT! database today!
4/6/2008 10:37:08 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2008 April, ACT!, Backup

Originally Posted April 6 2008

If you are using ACT!, you should backup your database regularly.  If you have ACT 5.0 or 6.0, you may already get regular reminders when you open ACT.  Either way, here's how you do it.

In ACT! 5.0/6.0
1. File > Backup...
-The Backup window appears
For good measure, click the 'Options' tab
1a. Select all checkboxes
1b. Select Reminder
1c. Set a reminder for at least every 7 days
1d. Click the 'General' tab
2. Name your backup file (your database name)_(today's date).zip
-This will be easier to find if you need to recover it
3. Click 'START'

In ACT! 2005/2006/2007/2008
1. File > Back Up > Database...
-All your supporting files will be included in the backup
2. Name your backup file (your database name)_(today's date).zip
3. Click 'OK'

This process can be automated.  If your database is too important to be without it, please give me a call at 512-451-9720.  I would be happy to schedule an appointment to assist you with this - so you can sleep better at night!

Synchronize your files the easy way with SyncToy
12/16/2007 8:48:18 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2007 Dec, Backup, Hard Drive, Hardware, Utilities, Windows

Originally Posted: Dec 16 2007
If you are like most people, you probably spend some time on your home computer completing work-related documents, spreadsheet, presentations etc.  You probably then save or copy those files to a USB flashdrive, take it to work, and either print, e-mail, or work on them some more on your work computer.  After a while you may loose track of what file has the most recent edits - is it the one on your flashdrive or your home computer?

If this sounds like you, you are in luck.  Microsoft has a handy and FREE software called SyncToy.  SyncToy will synchronize selected Folders on your computer with your flash drive (or even another computer if it is connected to your network).  Download and setup is easy.

To Download:
1. Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx
2. Download SyncToy from the 'download' link on the right hand side of the screen
3. Click Run to install SyncToy
5. Click on the SyncToy icon in you Start menu (In All Programs, it should be near the end of the list)
6. Click 'Create new folder pair'
-The Wizard starts and helps you select which Folders you want to Sync
7. Sync!

That's it!

I purchased an external hard drive. What should I backup?
8/14/2007 12:18:43 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2007 Aug, Backup, Hard Drive, QuickBooks, Quicken, Save, Security

Aug 13 2007
If you purchased and installed an external hard drive to backup your computer, you were probably asked this question when setting up the backup software.  You may have been inclined to just backup your My Documents Folder, but you should probably backup more.  The reason is many times popular programs save their critical data in a Folder other than My Documents.

For example, Outlook Express/Outlook (emails, calendarcontacts, etc), Quicken, and QuickBooks (all financial transactions) are just some of these type of programs.  Each of these programs save your critical information in Folders deep within your computer.

The best practice is to setup your backup software to do a complete backup of your entire hard drive, not just your My Documents Folder.  This way all your critical data is saved and can be retreived in the event your computer crashes.

Previously saved versions of your files are automatically saved in Vista
5/13/2007 10:39:43 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2007 May, Backup, Microsoft Office, Vista

May 14 2007
Have you ever been working on a Word document then realized that you needed to revert back to a previous version?  Perhaps one that you saved three versions ago?  Well, if you are using Vista you can.

Vista keeps track of all the saved versions of all your Word documents.  When you want to retrieve a previous version all you need to do is:

1. Right Click on the Word Document
2. Select 'Restore previous verions' from the short-cut menu
3. Click the 'Previous Versions' tab
-The previous versions are listed according to date saved
4. Select the version that you want to retrieve
5. Click 'Open'

That's it!
Vista saves the versions of all popular software programs like Word Perfect, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

Automatic backup software for Outlook
2/25/2007 7:00:10 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2007 January, Backup, Outlook
January 29 2007
Q: I learned that Outlook stores all my Email, Calendar Events, Tasks, basically everything in a single file called a .PST file. Is there a software that I can buy to back it up in case something happens to my computer?
 
A: Many people do not realize this fact about Outlook until it is too like and the .PST file becomes corrupted, is overlooked when backing up, or both. I think you'll agree that things usually come to a stop when you can't get into your Outlook. Having a backup of your PST will help prevent this.
 
Microsoft offers a free backup software for Outlook 2002 and Newer. It is available at:
Follow the instructions to download and install
Once installed, Open Outlook
The Backup Tool will prompt you to backup as soon as you close Outlook
You will have the option to:
-Set the reminder schedule
-Change the location of the backup file (Probably some place in your My Documents folder is best)
 
If you are using a version of Outlook older than 2002, here's what you do:
In Outlook
1. File > Import and Export...
-The Import and Export window appears
2. Select 'Export to a file'
3. Click 'Next'
-The Export to a File window appears
4. Select 'Personal Folder File' (.pst)
5. Click 'Next'
-The Export Personal Folders window appears
6. Select 'Personal Folders' at the top of the tree
7. Select 'Include subfolders'
8. Click 'Next'
9. Click the 'Browse...' button
-The Open Personal Folders window appears
10. Click the 'My Documents', or 'Desktop' button on the left hand side to save it where you can easily find it
11. Give the backup file a name. Ex. Backup 12-17-06
12. Click 'Finish'
13. Click 'OK'
You can then copy this file to CD. If it is too big for a CD (700MB max), you may want to save it to a flash/thumb drive.
 
That's it!
Best Practices for Battery backup
2/4/2007 12:23:17 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

2006 Nov, Backup, Battery Backup, Hardware, Power
November 13 2006

Q: I see battery backup systems at several office supply stores. Can you provide an explanation as to how they work and why would I want one?

 

A: Battery Backup systems or UPS (short for Uninterruptible Power Supply) are a great addition to your personal computer because they will keep power going to your computer in case of:

-A sudden black-out (I guess they are never announced in advance)

-Someone accidentally yanks your computer cord out of the wall or turns off your outlet

-A tripped-off circuit in your building

 

The Battery Backup immediately kicks-in providing you enough time to power-down your computer without loosing any of your work. Even if you are not at your computer, the Battery Backup will power-down your system automatically - again saving your unsaved work.

 

The reason I want to talk about Battery Backup is that I have found that several of my clients with Battery Backup systems had them connected incorrectly.

 

When you connect your Battery Backup be sure:

1) You connect your Battery Backup unit power cord directly into a wall outlet - Do not plug it into another surge protector

2) If your Battery Backup is has a USB connection, be sure it is plugged directly into your computer - not into a USB hub.

3) Verify the software that runs your Battery Backup is installed on the computer it is protecting - Why go through all the setup without ensuring your computer will shut-off in a controlled manner during a power outage?

4) Be sure your computer & monitor are plugged into the outlets labeled 'Battery', 'Battery Backup', or 'UPS' on the Battery Backup unit.

 

Following these guidelines will your computer if the lights go out!
Categories
2005 Apr2005 Aug
2005 Dec2005 Feb
2005 Jan2005 July
2005 June2005 Mar
2005 May2005 Nov
2005 Oct2005 Sept
2006 Apr2006 Aug
2006 Dec2006 Feb
2006 Jan2006 July
2006 June2006 Mar
2006 May2006 Nov
2006 Oct2006 Sept
2007 April2007 Aug
2007 Dec2007 February
2007 January2007 July
2007 June2007 March
2007 May2007 November
2007 Oct2007 Sept
2008 April2008 Aug
2008 February2008 Jan
2008 July2008 June
2008 March2008 May
2008 November2008 October
2008 SeptemberAccess
ACT!Adobe
AVGBackup
Battery BackupBlackBerry
BluetoothCalendar
Computer DonationCopy
CutDaylight Savings
DeleteDesktop
DownloadEmail
ExcelExcel 2007
FaxFirefox
FormattingHard Drive
HardwareHotFix
HotSyncImages
Internet ConnectionInternet Explorer
iPodiTunes
Junk MailKeyboard
LabelsLine Spacing
LogosMail Merge
Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office 2002
Microsoft Office 2003Microsoft Office 2007
Missing IconsMouse
NetscapeNormal Template
NumberingOffice 2007
OutlookOutlook 2003
Outlook 2007Outlook Express
PalmPalm Desktop
PastePDA
PDFPerformance
PicturesPocketPC
PowerPowerPoint
PowerPoint 2007Print
PublisherPublisher 2007
QuickBooksQuicken
RAMSave
Screen SaverSearch
SecuritySnipping Tool
Software InstallationSpell Checker
TemplateTreo
UpdatedUtilities
VistaWindows
Windows XPWord
Word 2007 
Archives
February 2012January 2012
December 2011November 2011
October 2011September 2011
August 2011July 2011
June 2011May 2011
April 2011March 2011
February 2011January 2011
December 2010November 2010
October 2010September 2010
August 2010July 2010
June 2010May 2010
April 2010March 2010
February 2010January 2010
December 2009November 2009
October 2009September 2009
August 2009July 2009
June 2009May 2009
April 2009March 2009
February 2009January 2009
December 2008November 2008
October 2008September 2008
August 2008July 2008
June 2008May 2008
April 2008March 2008
February 2008January 2008
December 2007November 2007
October 2007September 2007
August 2007July 2007
June 2007May 2007
April 2007March 2007
February 2007January 2007
October 2006September 2006
August 2006July 2006
June 2006 
RSS
Posting are provided "AS IS" with no guarantees or warranties
Home Page | Services | Success Stories | Events Calendar | Contact Us | Twitter
 Time Saving Tips | Clients | CD Training Videos | Solution Partners
All names and trademarks are property of their respective owners • All other content © 2006 - 2011 Red Apple Computer Tutor, LLC