That False Feeling of Security.
 Whenever we have a computer into the workshop it always gets a quick once over, just to make sure everything is set up and working as it should be.
Mrs R sent her computer in for some TLC and, as usual, it was given a thorough check for anything which may cause a problem at a later date. Lucky that we checked.
Mrs R had done everything she should to make sure all her important information was backed up, just in case the worst happened and everything in the Documents file disappeared.
To make the entire process as painless as possible she had installed a program (from a very well known publisher) which took care of the entire back up process automatically. Sure enough, it was backing everything up just as it should be, except for one important fact.
Let's go back a step though. One of the main causes to loose saved files is the need to reinstall Windows. This is often needed when your computer becomes so slow that using it is like watching paint dry - the only solution is to run the restore program or disc that came with you shiny, new computer all those years ago. A more drastic reason for reinstalling Windows can also be that depressing time when you turn the computer on and absolutely nothing happens. Never a good time!
If your backup procedure is in place (and effective) and you have all the CD's which came with your computer, printer, camera, mobile phone and everything else, then reinstalling Windows is a chore rather than a disaster. Always remember though, everything on the "C" drive will be lost as part of the procedure.
Back to Mrs R. This automatic back up program form this very well known publisher (yellow box and they are better known for their anti virus software) had happily been backing up all Mrs R's documents (and the like) to a folder on her "C" drive!
The more observant reader will have noticed the problem. If Mrs R had reinstalled Windows then she would have lost both the originals and the backups she had been saving against just such an eventuality. The publishers of this backup program really should have done their job correctly. Such a situation should be impossible and the program should only be able to save to a different drive from the source.
Simple really.
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