Can You Restore Data From Your Backup?

By Per Strandberg

Many users don't test their backups. This is because they don't take the time or they don't know the steps to take.
This means that there is a risk that the restoration of their system will not work nor can they be sure that they are able to retrieve individual files.

You should use a backup program which gives you a full report with verification which highlights possible errors when the backup is completed.

If the backup is taken from a server, then the backup administrator should get an email backup error report.

To test the backup, try to recover some of the files from the backup.
In case the backup is spanning over several consecutive CD's, DVD's or tapes then examine some files by restoring them from the last tape or CD.

Spanning by the way,

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is the term used to describe backup that can't be stored on one CD or tape but has to be divided and stored on more than one.

Special consideration must be given to open databases.
Many products are not able to backup open databases. If that is the case you have to look for special backup solutions.

Tragically many users who don't test their backups find that data can't be recreated from their backups.
This even despite that backups have been made and everything seems to be OK. Tapes may be bad or the setup parameters are set wrong.
This is especially true if the backup is made with Ntbackup, the standard backup utility included in Windows.

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