Supplies needed: A half-dozen floppy disks, and either two 100 MB ZIP disks or a rewriteable CD.

Emergency Start-up Disks

You can have too few, but never too many.

Make an emergency start-up disk from your operating system.

Make another one from your Internet security program.

Make yet another one from your virus-detection software if it differs from the first two.

Operating System

Have on disk, or CD, your manufacturer-supplied copy of your computer's operating system.

Have on hand, the documentation supporting that operating system.

Software Applications

Make sure your original software disks, or CD's, are clearly and accurately labeled.

Register your software with the manufacturer.

Store your software in an easily accessible, climate-controlled environment. No damp and dusty basements, attics or garages, please!

Have on paper your software registration numbers, or product key codes.

Store those numbers with your software installation instructions and your phone numbers for technical support.

For software that you download from the Internet:

During the installation process, check the box, "Save files to disk." That way you won't have to return to the Internet to retrieve your application. Once saved on your hard drive, transfer the application files to their own clearly labeled folder on your back-up disk. Remember to print out and save the product registration number.

Alternative: Transfer the zipped application to your back-up disk.

Save your browser files to their own folder on a back-up disk.

Save your browser plug-ins to their own folder on a back-up disk.

Save your apps files from your handheld computer to their own folder on a back-up disk.

Back Up and Store on Removable Disks

All business-related files, including e-mail.

All files generated by your bookkeeping software.

All Address books, calendars, datebooks and business filing cabinets from assorted software applications that you use. That means Outlook and AOL for the majority of PC users.

All desktop publishing templates, such as customized FAX sheets, invoices and letterheads.

Sharon Coleman is the founder and managing member of C Group, LLC