So... you have TONS of files on your Pogoplug and just realized that you should probably back them up to your PC or server, and you're using a Windows XP system.

If you didn't know it, Windows XP conveniently includes its own backup program... although you may need to do a bit of searching to find it.  You can also take your pick of a whole array of third-party programs that add bells and whistles you won't find in the basic Windows XP Backup utility.  For the record, I use the built-in backup utility, and it works very well for me - here's a tutorial on how to use it yourself to back up the files on your Pogoplug!

Step 1: Installing the Windows Backup Utility

If you use Windows XP Professional, the Windows Backup utility (Ntbackup.exe) should be pre-installed and ready for use.  If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you'll need to follow these steps to install the utility:

• Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and, if necessary, double-click the CD icon in My Computer.
• On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, select Perform Additional Tasks.
• Click Browse this CD. In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then Ntbackup.
• Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

For more information, see How to Install Backup in Windows XP Home Edition.

Step 2: Run the Windows Backup Wizard

Now that you have completed the installation, you are ready to begin backing up your Pogoplug.
By default, the Backup utility uses a wizard that makes the process very straightforward. To start Backup:

• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup to start the wizard.
• Click Next to skip past the opening page, choose Back up files and settings from the second page, and then click Next. You should see the page shown, which represents your first decision point.

You might be tempted to click All information on this computer so that you can back up every bit of data... but that is for backing up the *entire* computer you are working on. You only want to backup the files stored on your Pogoplug drive, right?

Ensure that you are running the latest Pogoplug drive software and have it set to start automatically when your computer boots.  Then, click on Let me choose what to back up. This option takes you to the Items to Back Up page.

Select the drive on your Pogoplug you wish to back up. In my case, it's the WD120 drive.

Do not check the Pogoplug (P:) folder. Select the actual folder in which your files are located, and check that box to back up all the files on your hard drive.

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