how to back up ur data before formating

You might think that installing an operating system would be a simple procedure. And you’d be right. However, you really should know what you’re doing before you undertake this process. Even if you already know how to do it, it’s always nice to go with procedure. The first thing you should do before installing a new operating system is to back up your existing data. These programs basically take a picture image of everything on your hard drive. With them, you can restore your entire system even if your new OS doesn’t leave a trace of your old OS. To effectively and safely back up your system, it’s always a good idea to get some type of software program that will accomplish this. You could try doing it yourself, but these programs make it much, much easier. Consider one of the following :

•  Acronis True Image 10 Home

Acronis True Image 10 Home creates the exact copy of your hard disk and allows you to instantly restore the entire machine including operating system, applications, and all the data in the event of a fatal system crash or virus attack — no reinstallations required! With the new version you also can easily back up your music, video, and digital photos, as well as Outlook e-mails, contacts, calendar, tasks, and user settings with just a few mouse clicks! Copy your entire PC, including the operating system, applications, user settings, and all data using patented disk
imaging technology; backup your music, video, and digital photos; backup your outlook e-mails, contacts, calendar, tasks, etc.; and restore all settings for Microsoft Office, iTunes, Media
Player, and dozens of popular applications. http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

•  Norton Gost

Made by Symantec Corporation, the same people who make and distribute Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Ghost is awarding winnin back-up software. You should know, however, that this software is only for Microsoft Windows XP and 2000 operating systems. Like True Image, Ghost will save everything on your computer safely and efficiently. It will back up everything on your system
including music, pictures, applications, settings, etc. in one easy step. It can also recover your system and data even when you can’t restart your operating system.

You can download a free trial ware version of Norton Ghost at :

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview
.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost10.

• Ghost for linux

If you are currently using Linux for your operating system and want to switch to another one, this is the program for you. Like other backup software programs, Ghost for Linux is a cloning tool and was created by Symantec, the folks who brought us Norton Anti-Virus. Your drive will be cloned using the click and clone tool. It has been said to be easy to use and very efficient.

A downloadable version of Ghost for Linux can be found at

http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Hardware/Ghost-for-
Linux-053.shtml

Once you have all of your files backed up and you are sure the disk contains all of your information, you’ll then be ready to install your system. This is the easiest process of all.