[ClaraT]

Can someone offer some guidance in backing up and saving everything on my hardrive?

I'm taking this G4 ibook, 800, w/512 ram, AE, bluetooth, into the Apple store immediately because it keeps crashing, complete with kernel panics and I'm getting very nervous.
So I need to know that my critical work is safe and retrievable.

I know there are CDs that I can write to. . .I've found this to be a bit confusing because I've saved some things on CD-RW which the package says is rewriteable, but I don't know how to add more files once I "burn" the CD--it doesn't let me use it again.

So what devices are recommended? What can I invest in that will have everything on my HD if this computer dies? I'd like something that doesn't require a lot of software and a PhD in computer science to do easily.

What about .Mac? Isn't that an option for sending my stuff to cyberspace, but it's always safe?

And if I'm going to be putting a couple of hundred dollars out, should I consider an ipod?
I hear they can serve as a backup.

I'm fairly new to this topic so please bear with me. There seem to be a lot of options and I'd appreciate some help--soon.

thank you,

clarat

[d.fine]

Many external devices for backups (or extra storage space) are discussed here
You could use an external HDD as a backup unit now, and once you Mac is fixed use it as an extra HDD, you can always use the extra space ...

[ClaraT]

Originally posted by d.fine:
Many external devices for backups (or extra storage space) are discussed here
You could use an external HDD as a backup unit now, and once you Mac is fixed use it as an extra HDD, you can always use the extra space ...

Thanks for the fast reply--the link is very helpful. I'm still curious about other methods though, ie. .mac, ipod as well.

But your link did jog my memory. I forgot that I have the hard drive from a dead Lombard and at one point was thinking of buying a "case" to make it an external drive. That was the whole scenario that got me to buy this ibook.

clarat

[Chito]

If you've got your software restore discs and the discs for your installed software you might just consider backing up your home folder. Unless you've specified other destinations I think everything gets saved there. If thats the case you may be able to get everything onto even a 10 gb iPod. Or at least you would use fewer cd's backing up that way.