Backing up your files means keeping a second copy somewhere safe, so a spill, a theft, a failed drive, or a bad reset does not take your only copy with it. This article covers simple habits that work on any Calyraen OS machine.
Why keep a backup
A single copy of a file is one accident away from gone. A backup is just a second copy stored somewhere separate from the original. If one copy is lost or damaged, you still have the other.
Where to keep your copies
You have a few good options, and using more than one is better than relying on any single one:
- An external drive. Plug in a USB drive or portable SSD and copy your important folders (documents, photos, projects) to it. Keep the drive unplugged when you are not backing up.
- A second computer. If you have another Calyraen machine, such as a Vantage desktop alongside a Stratus laptop, copy your files across.
- Cloud storage. An online storage account keeps a copy off-site, which helps if something happens to your home or office.
The safest setup is two copies in two different places. One local (fast to restore) and one off-site (survives a fire or theft).
Back up before a reset or reinstall
Resetting or reinstalling Calyraen OS erases the files on your machine. Before you start:
- Copy everything you want to keep to an external drive or the cloud.
- Include easy-to-forget items: browser bookmarks, saved passwords, downloads, and app settings.
- Confirm the copy is finished before you begin the reset.
Do not begin a reinstall until you have checked the backup, covered below.
Check that the backup actually worked
A backup you never tested is a guess. To confirm yours is real:
- Open the backup drive or folder and check the files are there.
- Open two or three files (a photo, a document) and make sure they actually open.
- Compare a folder's size against the original so you can spot anything missing.
Do this every time. A copy that failed halfway looks fine until you need it.
If you still need help
If a backup will not complete, a drive is not recognized, or you are stuck before a reset, sign in at /login and open a ticket at /support. Tell us your machine model and what step failed so we can help faster.