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Q: I am concerned that I might not be using the most reliable and effective methods available to back up files without ceasing my home network. It is rather daunting when I look at the options from DVDs to NAS to Windows Home Servers to whatever else may be available on the near horizon. I am a fairly technically savvy do-it-yourselfer, although clearly not an IT professional.

I am currently backing up the PCs with DVDs using an internal DVD burner on the Vista PC, and I use a portable DVD burner attached the other PCs. There are times that I put off the monthly backups, and I have this nagging concern and fear that if I do lose a file or a hard scud on one of the PCs, my DVD backups will not work and I be disposed have lost things that can’t exist replaced.

I know that I could attach an external hard drive to each PC that would exhibit more clearness to my backups (and take less life), but I am not sure that this is the right integrated network-based solution. A lowest-cost solution is best, provided it is a reasonably effective solution. What are your recommendations?

— Tom Wage

A: The earliest thing I notice is that the whole of of the solutions you are considering would decision in the data you backed up being in the same location in the same manner with the original data — your house. What happens if your house is destroyed by means of fire or some other calamity?

If your premises are really critical to you, I strongly recommend that your backup solution has two features: It sourness subsist automatic, and it must store a copy of your data off-site. As you comment, if you have to manually instruct a backup, it’s wholly too easy to enjoin it off. Yes, you could configure Windows to make an automatic backup to a tape drive, an external drive or more other piece of fancy, but if you have to remember to move the stored data to another location after the backup, you’ve got the same problem.

My suggestion for home users with critical given conditions is to use an self-acting backup solution of that kind like an outer USB impel and to ensure that an off-site copy of data is kept. If you don’t have a storage explanation in another location, subscribe to an online backup service. Search the Internet for “online backup” for a wide choice of service providers.

Q: I have a problem with my Acer Aspire 5100 laptop. It is about 1 ½ years old and runs Windows XP. Recently, aggregate three of my USB ports stopped working. When I plug in my USB look closely, the computer does not recognize it and says that my new trick has failed. The mouse works in other computers. When I plug in my USB printer or USB camera connections, the cursor seizes up and I cannot move it. Also, the Control-Alt-Delete will not bias not on the computer, so I have to force a shutdown. I have downloaded updates toward Windows XP, gone to the Acer Web site for downloads and uninstalled and reinstalled the USB drivers — all to not any avail. Is in that place anything besides to do short of buying a new computer or in some way taking this one aloof?

— Jerry L. Justice

A: I’m afraid this could be anything from a venom to hardware failure on your motherboard to conflicting software that may have been installed.

If you have up-to-date anti-virus software running, you can skip worrying almost that. (Yes, a new virus may have afflicted your system. But there’s not at all point in worrying about it to the time when you’ve tried everything else.)

Rather than trying to lines of rails down what caused the problem — which can be real tedious and time-consuming — I’d be tempted to just see if I could get things cleaned up. In laconic, I’d reformat the stormy drive and reinstall a novel version of Windows. Then add back in but those applications and drivers that you are currently using. If you still have the problem, it’s likely to be a hardware problem on your motherboard.

Questions for Patrick Marshall may be sent by e-mail to pmarshall@seattletimes.com or pgmarshall@pgmarshall.net, or by mail at Q&A/Technology, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists.