How to Survive an Operating System Crash

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows could not be accessed or located."

It happens to the best of us. A complete operating system failure. One day you might turn on your p.c. and that dreadful message is on your screen as plain as day. You don't know what you could have possibly done, as your computer was working fine just a little while ago.

Panic is usually the first thing to set in. Something like an operating system failure can literally put home business owners out of business indefinitely. The cost and time involved in trying to repair a p.c. and the months or even years of lost information is overwhelming and frightening to think about.

This doesn't have to happen to you if you are prepared.

When you think about it, our businesses are at the mercy of technology. The technology is only as good as long as it's working properly. What a wonderful world we would live in if technology were flawless.

The reality is that systems fail. Computers are machines and machines sometimes break down. It doesn't get any simpler that than. We have no other choice than to be prepared for when those times come, especially IF we want to make sure our home business suffers very little down time.

There are some very easy things you can do right now to make ensure your peace of mind for your business. You need to be back up and running as quickly as possible in the event of an operating system crash.

1. Document everything including usernames, passwords, merchant account numbers, important websites and especially software unlock codes. Anything that is not written down on paper is subject to be lost.

2. Back up your hard-drive as necessary for how often you have new updates that you cannot afford to lose or rebuild.

** Important! If you have to completely reinstall your operating system, the "My Documents" folder is usually lost. Make sure you don't forget this folder when you do the back up.

3. Make sure all of your .exe, zip and software install files are on a disk. This is easily done by backing them up or burning them onto a CD. You should already have the system restoration and any other store-bought software disks handy.

The actual repair or reinstall of your operating system may simple or it may be complicated. If you are well versed in this area, you may be able to restore the system yourself. If you're like most of us, you may have to call a computer repair professional.

When your p.c. is restored, you will be able to simply reinstall your software and documents files from the disks you created. If you have access to a secondary p.c., you can install your programs on the backup computer in the interim.

Regardless, you will rest much easier knowing that you have taken some basic steps necessary to prepare yourself and protect your business.

This very same scenario happened to me just recently. It could have been a disaster for my business, but it wasn't. I was prepared and was back up and running within 24 hours.

Don't wait until it's too late.

To Your Success!

Patty Gale

Patty Gale is a successful entrepreneur who specializes in personalization and customer care for all her clients. She exchanged her suits, hose and heels for working at home in her "jammies" and is on a mission to empower other women to do the same.

She can be reached at http://www.Home-Office-Recovery-Plan.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Reducing Your Risk Profile

Like all plans, there is an ultimate goal to achieve.... Read More

Protect Yourself Before Your Hard Drive Crashes

Almost everyone who has used a computer has experienced a... Read More

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Business Impact Analysis

Business impact analysis is a critical part of the business... Read More

How to Survive an Operating System Crash

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows could not be... Read More

Bill Gates Made Data Recovery Easy

Bill gates provided a ready made option in Microsoft windows,... Read More

Data Recovery Processes

Six months ago my computer crashed. When I turned my... Read More

How to Effectively Back Up Your Data

What to backup, and what to loseThe oldest "computer expression"... Read More

Comparing Data Recovery Software

Software programmers recognize the importance of data files, and thankfully,... Read More

Data Recovery - What Not to Do!

Data recovery is a tricky thing, and if you've somehow... Read More

Data Recovery The Easy Way

If you aren't prepared in advance, you will most likely... Read More

The Best Data Recovery Choice For You

The best defense against a loss of data is a... Read More

When Disaster Strikes: How Long Would Your Business Survive if Files On Your Computer Disappeared?

A Tornado? In Birmingham? In The United Kingdom? Unthinkable!Yes, in... Read More

Is Your Backup Good Enough?

As someone who has seen quite a few hard drive... Read More

The Seven Golden Rules Of Data Backups

Backups of company data are carried out for two main... Read More

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Selecting A Business Continuity Strategy

The risk analysis and business impact analysis have identified risks... Read More

How To Limit Hard Drive Data Recovery Costs

With the value on information rising day by day, one... Read More

Big Time Disaster Recovery Solutions Available for the Little Guy

There was a time - not too long ago -... Read More

Data Backup for Beginners

It's 10pm. Do you know where your data is?Data. Small... Read More

Disaster Recovery Made Easy With Online Backups

Whenever disaster strikes the most critical asset that every company... Read More

Data Backup Solution: Why You Need a Backup Plan in Place ? Part 1

Is a data backup solution part of your computer plans?... Read More

Computer Data Recovery Options

Losing files on your computer can be a frightening experience... Read More

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Risk Analysis and Control

In the risk evaluation phase, there are a number of... Read More

Backup -- But Where To?

We all know we have to backup regularly, but those... Read More

How To Use Spyware Elimination Software

Spyware elimination software is designed to detect and eliminate spyware.... Read More

Computer Data Backups: Test Now or Cry Later

If you're like most small business owners, your computer data... Read More

Do You Have The One Key Ingredient Necessary For Disaster Recovery?

It is not rocket science, we all know that we... Read More

Online Data Backups for Newbies

How long have you been doing business online? Whether you... Read More

Disaster Recovery- Managing the Risk

Helping your business survive in the event of an unforeseen... Read More

9 Things to Look for when Considering Data Backup Solutions

It's one thing to loose data and money because of... Read More

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - The Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan

Essentially, the plan addresses the who, what, where, why and... Read More

3 Simple Steps To Organize Your Critical Online Home Based Business Directory

If You are running an Online Work at home Business... Read More

Data Recovery: Beginners Tips

Right now you probably in a lot of mental pain,... Read More

Data Recovery

Every person who uses a personal computer will eventually face... Read More