This was originally covered in issue 22, but a few recent incidents remind me of just how critical backing up your important data is. Client calls in a general state of panic, indicating that they are having trouble with their accounting software. To be fair, I should indicate that they use low-buck Wintel boxes with Win95, but they had the equipment before we became acquainted. The story that unfolds over the phone is general mayhem, in my opinion, and simply tends downward as they talk. Client reinstalls software.
Error persists, client performs one backup on same set of floppy disks that last backup is on.
Then they reinstall all versions of accounting software. Finally time to restore the data files, software gives an error with one of the disks. Next closest backup was from July. Just so I don't make you completely paranoid, I'll only mention one other disaster. This one started out as what sounded like minor directory damage or a corrupt system.