Using WinZip 7.0 to Back-up User's Data Files
(Click on any picture to enlarge it for clarity)

We are currently using WinZip 7.0 in the Department.  It is installed as a shareware file, but the Department does license it annually.  Many people have asked about backing up their data to floppy disk.  WinZip 7.0 is the best way.  It will compress your files and span as many floppy disks that it will take to get all of your data.

Users need to establish a routine of backing up regularly.  I've found that it is easier if you save all of your data into one folder on the hard drive.  Regardless of the program (i.e.; Word, Excel, Access, etc.) you are using to create data, save it all in the same folder.

Most of the computers have two hard drives, C: and D:.  I am going to assume that this is the case.  The hard drives are also getting much larger and have plenty of room to store all of your data and only backup to floppy disk for safety.   As a rule of thumb, I encourage people to make two folders on the D: drive, one called "data" and one called "shared".  The "data" folder will be where you keep all the files you create and the "shared" folder is where you can keep files that you would want to share with other persons within your office / facility, like blank forms and such.
**You will need a couple blank formatted 3 1/2" floppy disks before you start**
 
Start by opening WinZip.
Push the "Start" button and choose WinZip icon. (Figure 1)

(Figure 1) (click to enlarge)
or Choose the WinZip icon from your desktop. (Figure 2).

(There are usually several ways of doing something in the Windows environment.  They are all correct, as long as you get the same results.)

 

(Figure 2) (click to enlarge)
 
 
Again, we use the shareware installation, just hit the button "I Agree".  The button that says "I Agree" moves back and forth between the left and center buttons.  They do that to make it confusing. (Figure 3)

(Figure 3) (click to enlarge)
  
 
Choose "New", to create a new archive (Figure 4)

(Figure 4) (click to enlarge)
 
You will see the "New Archive" window. (Figure 5)

(Figure 5) (click to enlarge)
  
 
Insert a blank floppy diskette into the A: drive.
Use the drop-down box at the top of the  "New Archive" window to choose the "3 1/2 Floppy (A:)" from the drop down menu. (Figure 6)

Then, in the "File name:" box, name the archive and choose "OK".  (I chose "backup" in the example, but, anything will work.)

(You shouldn't use "/ \ * . # $ % & ^ @ + =" characters in your file name.  Spaces, underlines and hyphens are o.k. in file names.)

(Figure 6) (click to enlarge)
  
 
The "Add" dialog box lets you choose the folders that need to be backed up.

For the example, my data files are on the D: drive in a folder named "My Documents"

So, I choose the D: drive first, then choose the folder "My Documents" (Figures 7, 8 & 9)

 

(Figure 7) (click to enlarge)
 

(Figure 8) (click to enlarge)
  

(Figure 9) (click to enlarge)
  
 
If you have sub folders inside of the folder that you are backing up, make sure that the check box is marked under the "Folders" section to "Include subfolders". (Figure 10)

(Figure 10) (click to enlarge)
 
To make sure that you get all of your data check mark the "Include system and hidden files option. (Figure 11)

(Figure 11) (click to enlarge)
 
Now choose the button "Add with wildcards" button.  This will start the archive process. (Figures 12 & 13)

(Figure 12) (click to enlarge)
  

(Figure 13) (click to enlarge)