The Computer Ate My Homework!

7 ways to prevent disaster
August 2008
by Kai Davis

The sad news: summer is almost over. What’s even more sad? For some, school is about to begin and homework will soon be coming their way!

Computers can be a great help in completing the many projects and papers that come your way in school. However, computers are fallible and things can go wrong. Whether the dog ate it or the computer crashed, missing homework is no fun to redo.


Here are some tips to help keep homework safe on your computer:

  • Always have a backup. Don't just rely on one copy of something that is important. You can backup your document to a USB flash drive or even a CD. You can also email a copy to yourself.
  • When you back up or save different versions, make sure they are uniquely named. You would not want to accidentally delete the right version by mistake.
  • If your file really appears to be gone, try a data recovery product. These can be very effective in reviving files you thought had disappeared.1
  • Get into the habit of clicking “Yes” when you are asked if you want to save changes. In general, there are very few reasons not to save changes.
  • Be aware of your battery level, if you are using a laptop. If you are working on it for long hours, plug it in. Some laptops shut down quickly when the battery is low and you could lose your work.
  • Save, save, save. Use the auto-save features if your programs have them. Even then, it is not bad to train yourself to do a CTRL+"S" every five minutes or so.
  • Keep your computer clean. Viruses, spyware and other malicious malware can damage files. They also hog memory, which can cause unexpected crashes. There are a variety of anti-virus and spyware solutions available.

Things can happen, but these simple tips can help make sure you never have to experience the misfortune of all your hard work disappearing!

1 ParetoLogic Data Recovery will powerfully scan your system for files that can be retrieved. ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro is effective for retrieving emails as well as various file types.