"CSI Washington" just left my house. It was full of hunky guys in blue uniforms fingerprinting doorknobs and looking for clues.
Some idiot broke into my house this afternoon, apparently right before I came home. He (don't know why I'm assuming it's a he, coulda been a lady burglar) took my Big Mac, my MacBook and my MacBook Air. And they were backed up to one another, but noplace else.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
And where was Willie the Hyperactive Labrodoodle puppy during all this? He's staying at my sister's this week. Bet her place won't get broken into!
Anyway, blogging will be a challenge for the next few days, though I'm sure I'll manage somehow. Meanwhile, all of my contact files, appointment records, tax stuff - including a carefully kept milage log, are on all three of the machines, but not on a CD.
The worst part, I had some wonderful photos of my father taken when he was still at home. I meant to back them up, along with some great photos I took at the Cape, in Barbados and my various parties.
Oh, and my "home inventory" that would come in really handy right now is, guess where? On the Big Mac. Grrrrr!
The desktop is so old, it never occurred to me that some idiot would steal it.
Yikes!
So back up your computers! Do it now!
And please say a prayer to St. Anthony (the patron saint of stuff that's lost) that maybe the police find the jerk who did it - and my computers!
OH NO!!!!
I have been meaning to backup for soooo long, I am doing that tonight!!! Think I'll take my laptop with me when I leave today.... Hope they find your puters!
Jump drives are my friend. I store ALL my data on them no data on the hard drive.
We should all do this. Bonnie
Wow,
So sorry to hear of that. It would have to be the shock of a lifetime.
Hi Patricia
Sorry to hear about the lost of your computer and more important your file. We really think about backing up our files until we have a computer issue or a melt down I've had both. So I know the feeling.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Maybe it was someone who knows you and knew your dog would not be home.
Oh man Pat, I'm sorry someone broke into your home and took your Mac's. I hope you get your computers back so you can retrieve all of your important files, photos of your dad, vacations, tax records. Geez that stinks. Good idea to make backups, but don't forget to backup your files and keep an archived copy off-site.
Will do it right now, thanks. Very sorry to hear about the family photos.
Pat.... I'm sorry to hear this... hopefully the 'hunky guys in blue uniforms' will track down the dirty so and so and you'll get your computers back. We set up an off-site server to back things up to in case of such an event. Good luck!
We keep saying it won't happen to us but when it does it is devastating. Sorry for your loss I hope they find the criminals.
Wow, Pat. Sorry to hear that happened, but it's great for you to write about it. I hope they catch the jerk, too, but good luck with that. From your "other" Pat friend.
I'll be busy backing up my files this evening. As if you needed more bad news today with the bailout rejected and the Dow tumbling!
I think you should get a security system--sounds like someone knew your routine.
Wow, I am soooo sorry this happened to you. Wow. I just don't know what to say, although I did read this to my husband, who said, "you know, I keep getting emails from Dell about an online backup service they offer, maybe we better think about doing something like that." What happened to you really made us think about how well protected we are in the event of a burglary or fire.
Hi Patricia, It have to been somebody close to you or if you have teenagers in the house, it could be one of their friends. A neighbor who knows your daily routine. No dog and good bye computers. I do hope you get your stuff back quickly. Hey, one never knows. ~ Newbie
My computer backs everything up at 5:00 a.m. I have no idea where the data goes.
Pat, this is a terrible story for you not only for your computers but the break-in in general. I hope all gets better for you. Backups while important are not what I would mainly be worrying about but your safety and security.
Oh, you poor woman:( I am so sorry!
I am going to back up my files today. It has been on my mind for several weeks now, and yes, I do have a stand-alone hard drive to do it on, but I always procrastinate. And the stand-alone hard drive could be stolen, too! I can't even imagine having to reinvent the information on my computer. Talk about a horrible waste of time.
So, for me, I am going to sign up for Carbonite. The information is encrypted and then stored on their computers, and I believe your computer is automatically backed up periodically without much effort on your part. I heard about this on Kim Komando's radio show on, I believe, Sunday mornings 9:00 - 12:00. You can sign up on the Kim Komando website with a small discount and 30-day free trial today for under $50 a year.
There are other companies offering the same services if you want to check out the Internet for services and costs.
Best of luck to you... I hope they find the perps, and better yet, your computers...
Patricia- I hope they find the monster who committed this unforgivable crime. That is just awful, I don't know what I would do without mine.
What terrible news. I hope they find whoever did this to you. The first things I thought of where that it was someone who either *wants* those files (a competitor agent, perhaps?) or someone who knew the Willie would not be home. How in the world did they get in? Time to invest in an alarm system and a tape recording of an even BIGGER dog growling in the background.
I'm really sorry about all of your files, espeically the personal photos and such.
Pat-first of all I'm glad you are okay and then all I can say is bummer. Time to case the local pawn shops and Craig's list. I'm sure they have already changed hands at least once.
Oh bummer! I hope you get them back and thank god they didn't break in while you were at home! I will be backing my stuff up!!!
Pat- so sorry to hear about the break in. glad you are safe and hope your computers are found. i will say a prayer to st anthony for sure.
Pat--That was not the way to start off the week. You are right about backing up important material. I noticed you said that "tax stuff" was on your computer. I hope that did not mean your SS#. If so, you better get on the phone with one of the credit bureaus and have a "freeze" put on your SS#.
I hate these types of lessons :(
Now.... I've known you through quite a few of these crisis moments .... I hope they find the computers, like the Lexus. I can think positive about this!!! I can !!!!
Bummed for ya though. Real bummed.
Pat - This in awful news! You must feel so violated. I hope they catch the thief and I hope you are taking safety precautions in the meantime, including bringing Willie back. Please take extra care Pat.
That SOOOOOOOO Stinks !!!! I also heard about Carbonite.com. I thought - oh how silly - I back-up on an external hard-drive. Of course; if they steal that too -I'm, screwed!
$50 a year... Ha - Its a no-brainer...
Well I agree that the LEAST you deserve for losing your computers is a GOLD STAR! So sorry Pat... that stinks.
Pat, Yikes, how scary to have someone break into your home. I hope you are well, other than the frustration of the computers. I am the worst, I never back stuff up. Now, I will heed the warning and start. Stay safe.
Box.net is a wonderful place to upload information such as computer files from pictures to data files. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be accessed from anywhere.
spend the time on backing up your data files and your email files first -- you can always re-load your software
I was listening to the radio the other day and this site was mentioned a bit to late to pass it on to you but other may be saved... Unlimited Online Backup - One Flat Rate!
DIRTY B*STARDS!!
I went to St. Anthony of Padua Elementary in Wauwatosa. I have inside connections. I'll make contact on your behalf.
Oh no Pat, I am so sorry to hear this. I only back up on an external drive and should consider an internet based backup system. Wow, at least you're ok. When I saw the headline I immediately thought there was a virus in the wild.
Look in to Carbonite too... very good service. Sorry for your loss; hopefully they will catch the bum who took your stuff!
I don't even know how to back up, but you can bet I will tomorrow after hearing this. It's awful. Start looking in pawn shops, classifieds, ebay, craiglist- everything you can think of. You'll find it before the police most likely. It's not a priority to THEM. Good luck sweetie!
I couldn't imagine...I cried when I left one Broker and went to another and they tried to lock me down!!
I don't think Carbonite supportts Macs yet but it might be worth a look.
More importantly, it's a good thing that you're alright!!! I have a good friend who was home when the intruder came in and I only wish they just took her computer. She's alive and well but the memory and trauma will always be there.
So sorry to hear this...like was said before..someone knew your routine...
It's sad...sorry to hear what happened to you.
Oh my goodness. That's horrible. It's good you're safe and there weren't more extensive damages but it's never easy to get over having your space violated like that. Be safe.
I'm so sorry to hear this. Robbery! Not computer death! It's hard to believe someone would break in and do this. We'll all learn a lesson from this.
Patricia: I remember exactly the prayers the nuns used to teach us. "St Anthony, St Anthony... please look around. Something is lost, and it must be found."
That was just one of the many, many things they drummed into our heads... and I guess it worked. So... perhaps St Anthony will do his thing and help these nasties get caught. ... thinking of you...
That's frightening - both the robbery and losing the computers. I too have not yet backed up "outside". Better do it now. Hope they find who did this. ~Rita
Hi Pat... I am so sorry to hear about not only your loss, but the violation of your personal space... that is just as bad as the property they took. Too bad that Willie is not part bloodhound... he might be able to help catch them! Hang in there.
Patricia - I am so sorry to hear about that. I hope the computers are found. I would freak out if all of my info was stolen. My thoughts are with you.
Patricia: That is one reason I try to keep as much information (including photos) online (and on separate servers) as possible. Too many computer crashes taught me that lesson....
Patricia - I am so sorry to hear. It is even more painful to lose all that data to a robber than having your computer crash. The violation is so palpable. Ugh. I can;t imagine what you are going through...adn you found the courage to write, too!
I back up automatically nightly using Moxy Pro on the Internet.
Jeff
Patricia, that must be the worst feeling having your stuff taken. Your being nice in calling the person only an idiot. I will say a prayer for your lost pictures.
OMG Pat! That's terrible! When I first started reading ... I thought it was a joke, but then realized you were serious. I feel so bad for you. You have learned a very hard lesson. Well, I pray for a miracle and that your machines are recovered and intact! Good luck, keep us informed
Patricia... Sorry to hear some idiot broke in to your home.. That is sad... As for backing up our pc's.... this is something we all should do from time to time without the fear of a burgular violating your privacy
I do backup, but you also have to consider if you had a fire. Would you backups be gone then also?
Pat, I'm so sorry that happened! What on earth is going on in this world? I hate you having to go through this. Again, I'm sorry and I hope by some miracle they find it for you. My connection right now with AR is very iffy and I can't seem to stay on...
This world and all its happenings is making me nervous. Keep the faith and keep your pretty chin up. I can only imagine how you must feel. Keep us informed with the turnout on this...K?
Later in the rain~Deb
Patricia, That is AWFUL!! Our sons car stereo was stolen twice from the front of our house and I thought that was an invasion. I can't imagine someone prowling through my house. We have started backing everything up to an exterior hard drive but heck someone might even take that. I have considered doing that back up that is online.
Hi Pat,
Sorry to hear about the break in...you might want to call a few of the local pawn shops and let them know what was taken. If the theif trys to pawn them...maybe they can intervene on some level. Good luck to you.
-Keith
Great advice. I back my mac up to a portable drive but I really need to back up to a web server as well. Sorry to hear about your losses. Great taste in computers...... Mac Rocks!
Oh hon I am so sorry - I actually back my computers up - but I keep the back up in my car - in my briefcase not the best place probably - you might get lucky and they may be found -
Wow, I am so sorry to hear about this! I usually have a separate hard drive to back up to...but I guess I should store that in a safe place.
Good luck on getting everything organized and into order again. So sorry you had to go through this. Like many people, I do not backup as often as I should.
Patricia...
Sorry about the bad guys getting your data ... I disagree with your title though ... I am blogging and backing up at the same time!
Pat -- I'm sorry to hear this happened to you -- hopefully with St. Anthony's help they'll find the thief and your computers. You've given us all a very important reminder and I'm going to back up mine RIGHT NOW.
Patricia- I am SO sorry! That is horrible! I hope they catch them before they ruin your laptop. We have our lap tops on an online data back up system that we only pay $2 per gig. for . I love it, it is 24/7 back up. I don't have to do anything, it runs in the backround. When you get your baby back, let me know, I wrote a post that has a link to the site. We use it here because of the hurricanes and losing power or flooding or whatever. We can access the data back up from any computer anywhere in the world. Our desk tops are backed up by our external drive but I don't store anything of importance on them.
Pat - I am so sorry that this happened to you. I hope St. Anthony comes through for you. Amazing that they stole your desktop, too. Thank you for the tale of caution.
YIKES!!!! Who cares about the computers - tell the thief he/she can have them - just to back them up for you and send you the disk with the files! Praying you will get one of these returned to you.
Oh my, who would have thought it? Yes, always think of that, then need to do it...tomorrow, I swear I'll do it.
Wow Pat that's horrible. I just recently had to do a system restore on my computer and thought I 'd backed up everything but still lost a few items, nothing to serious though. I was bummed about just losing a few things, I did my backups as you recommend now to cd's. I'll keep doing them too. I sure hope they catch the people who did this. You sure have my sympathy about those lost files.
DRATS! I've talked to so many people who are in desperate times - and I guess we'll see more of this sort of stuff. Great advice!
That's freaky! I just bought a 320GB Western Dig. My Book external hard drive this weekend and backed up all my client files and documents. I also try to backup to Mozy.com frequently...not free, but not expensive...and if someone steals all the electronics in my home it would allow me to survive and get back on track. So sorry for your loss...I would cry if someone stole all my computers!!!
pat,
This is great advice for us all. We should get into the habit of doing this at least once a week. Congrats on the gold star.
Great points. I keep copies on my server and online of most files.
Oh Patricia,.....I'm so sorry! This is just the worst....I'm keeping my fingers crossed and giving up prayers that your computers come home.....DRAT....terrible. I would have a melt down. You better get an alarm system....no choice even with the Labradoole!
Backups are so important. I got the "BLUE" screen this weekend and I was paniced...
I have my backups and luckily I was about to get it fixed... (new hard-drive on the way too)...
I hope they get the creaps who stole your computers...
Patricia,
I'm so sorry you had to be a victim to this. I sure hope they find the culprits.
Wow - that is terrible. Thank goodness they were gone when you got home. I hope they find your stuff. Now excuse me while I go back up my computer!
I hope they find them soon!!! This is one of my worst fears. Thanks for the REMINDER!!
Pat, I'm so sorry. I think Apple has some kind of security system for iPhones and ipods hopefully for computers too. I hope they will find yours. I lost my contacts in Outlook last year when my computer crashed. I now keep my contacts and a lot of data online through web mail and another contact management program.
I feel your pain. It is such an invasion. I was robbed years ago when I lived in LA. They took everything in my apartment except the carpet - they even took all my clothes in the closet. I had a jar in the kitchen with pennies the idiots took that too.
I hope you're doin ok Pat. Thanks for taking the time to look out for us!
Amy Le
Oh Pat, I'm so sorry. It's such a feeling of violation. I know, my home was broken into once years ago. The creep had been shot while robbing a liquor store, and I think he was just looking for a place to hide. Blood all over my house. What a mess. Sure hope your things are recovered soon.
Debi
A nightmare to be sure. Thanks for taking the time to remind all of us to back up our files. It's so you to be thoughtful in a time like this...making sure the rest of us don't have to endure the same fate.
Patricia! Do you know they have lojack for your computer??? I have it on mine since a laptop is so easily stolen. And it is very inexpensive. I have never had to use it, but I wouldn't get another laptop without it.
I think the loss of the photos is always my fear when I get something stolen. I had a car broken into about 10 years ago and one of the things they took was a photo album that I was having copied and lost some great pictures.
Why people steal stuff like that I will never know!
(Forgot to log back in...sheesh)
I'm so sorry that happened to you. I can't imagine the fear and anger inside of you right now. You gave wonderful advice though about backing up our harddrives to another source (and not another computer!)
My son recently had a break in. Yep, laptop stolen. Thankfully the theives didn't want his old desktop (in which his backups were stored). Scariest thing though..he was home at the time and in the basement. He thought it was his roommate walking around upstairs.
Good for you for sharing your bad experience to help others. Aside from the fact that the security of your home has been breached and your "space" violated, my heart hurts for your losing ALL that information. I would be sitting, crouched in a corner rocking back and forth with a baby doll or something totally out of my mind. I learned my lesson about this years back when I was at a conference and left my laptop in my hotel room. Of course, the cleaning lady stole it and, of course, the management didn't do a thing about it. They acted like I was staging the loss and trying to blame them! I have never wanted so badly to get revenge, but eventually got over it. Luckily, I wasn't in real estate at that point, so I didn't lose any valuable client info. I only lost something that was priceless and irreplacable. I lost about three years of precious children's photos of tee ball, birthdays, Christmases, pictures of grandparents who are no longer with us, etc. Oh how I wish I could just get those back - I can get another computer.
Another way my husband and I tag team on this is to make zip files and email them to each other. That way, we only have to make a monthly backup, but the really important files we need to back up before that month ends, we email them to each other and keep them on the other spouse's computer under that spouse's name. Our computers are never in the same place or house at the same time. It's almost like a remote backup service.
Good luck gathering your stuff.
Patricia,
So sorry about your situation. Although there's always the chance of being robbed, I am more afraid of a major computer crash or other disaster. I back up any files important to me to my My Book by Western Digital but since that could also be stolen (or malfunction) I burn major stuff to CDs or DVDs. Every couple of months I burn my whole "My Pictures" folder to a DVD. My web pages, videos and work related documents are also backed up. I think that when it comes to the stuff on our computers, a little paranoia never hurts. It's so easy to become complacent and think "yeah, I should back up this stuff someday..."
DAMMIT!
CARBONITE.COM
My mother board died ( abducted by aliens). With the help of an expert we extracted my stuff and loaded it on to another computor and the back on my repaired old one. Now I am looking for a new host (MAC) and considering Carbonite.
Patricia- Did you get their names - I am looking to buy some Mac equipment?
Patricia, I am so sorry, what an awful thing to happen. I will definitely be backing up my computer this afternoon.
Sorry for your loss! If you would have had an external hard drive, that probably would have been stolen, too. Also, if you do not keep your files off site, a fire could also "steal" everything.
You may want to look into a cheap online backup solution. What's great is that you select the folders and files you want backed up and it automatically does it each day. There are two major benefits: your files are stored off-site and you do not have to remember to do the actual backup.
This is terrible news! So sorry it happened to you. I recently, finally, external hard-drive (pretty little pink thing) and have backed up EVERYTHING on it. Not because I thought anyone would ever steal my computer, but because I've had my computer DIE twice in the last two years.
BUT for whatever your reason, BACK IT UP PEOPLE.
Hey You All!
Wow! I really appreciate all of you for commenting on my misadventure! I just ducked into my office to check email and am trying to work out a loaner computer.
At least the stupid jerk didn't take my huge unopened bottle of Grey Goose!
I sort of backed up my computers to each other figuring they'd never all crash at the same time. It just never occured to my that a burglar could suck them all out of my house at once - especially since DC's Mayor Adrian Fenty lives right around the corner and we have patrol cars all over the neighborhood!
I'm about to break down and call ADT.
Pat
Nice to see you've got your priorities in order, Pat. Thank heavens the Goose is safe! :)
Oh my goodness -- this is just awful. We have been meaning to develop an off site back-up system -- and your post has pushed us to do it NOW. Thanks .... all the best.
You know, I am usually pretty well backed up but, it's not unusual that I have a week or so hanging. Even THAT would be murder to reconstruct.
Sorry for your loss...
You know, I am usually pretty well backed up but, it's not unusual that I have a week or so hanging. Even THAT would be murder to reconstruct.
Sorry for your loss...
Thank you for thinking of us...But it totally sucks for you to have lost every bit of info that you did...I'm so sorry...
Pat, My husband is my backup artist - he does it at least every other day in a simple way. Well, it's simple to me because I'm not doing it, Karen
Backing Up is not difficult. I use a La Cie Rugged Hard Drive ( or something similar ) small, fast ( using Firewire if you have it ), durable and SuperDuper. I backup my Macbook twice a week or so and the drive unplugs easily and can be stored out of sight ( of thieves ). I also periodically backup to an older Maxtor Harddrive at my office ( in case my house burns down ). Most importantly, the SuperDuper backups are bootable so if my machine died I would basically have a complete clone of it on my backup drive......
Thanks for the reminder. As a converted Information technology manager, I know that most people do not back up their files, and it would be great if we have something in place that reminded us to do it on a reasonable schedule. My suggestion for the day, it to at least make sure that all of your contact information and critical fiels are replicated somewhere on the web on a monthly basis. I use Gmail now, because I like the 10 GB of space availability.
I have an automated back up (through Time Machine) to a 500gb hard drive... (of course, where is it sitting..??? attached to the back of my 17" imac, right on the floor where it would be picked up by the same burglar)...
Yikes! Thanks for the heads-up.
First, I am glad you and your puppy were not at home! I try to burn important info and photos to disk for safety. I actually blogged about scanning photos a couple of months ago and have been doing it...but I haven't backed up a lot of the new stuff. Thanks for the reminder and I hope at least one of the three are recovered.
Oh no!!! Patricia I am so sorry!! I have my stuff backed up online on Mozy and also a lot of my stuff is on disc. God forbid, but if it does I am prepared.
I am so sorry to hear that your house was broken into and your things stolen. Hopefully your property will be recovered and the thief will be caught.
Patricia, I know you are sad. I wish you could get over it. You should remember your computer serial number and report it to the necessary people. Then keep an eye on eBay or Craigslist.
Pat, I just got my first Mac and have been reading in the Mac group on AR.
What did you use to back up?
I can't activate my time machine until I get one. I"m sure after this post you are using something, can't believe I missed it. Acronis was my back up for the PC but it doesn't do Mac back=ups.
I'm cheching into computer backup and will have something soon.
Hi Pat,
I feel for you:(
It does sound suspicious that you would have your home broken into when your dog was away. I agree with some of the other bloggers that it is probably someone in the neighborhood who knows your routine. Do you have kids? It could be one of their friends...
The one time I had my home broken into, it turned out it was an acquaintance of my son's who lived in another town where we had lived about 5 years previously. He started coming around and visiting my son a lot, and about 3 weeks later all of my jewelry was stolen. Shortly after the event, it became suspicious to me that he would be traveling all that distance to come visit my son after not having seen him in several years. The police questioned him, and sure enough, he confessed right away out of fear. I did manage to get most of my belongings back, but not all. Anyway, think about the teenagers in your neighborhood... or anyone new in your life. Just a thought...
As for backup, I used to use the Maxtor, but I found I was lazy and not backing up often enough. I switched to Carbonite for $49 a year, because it backs up automatically to an off-site server when I turn on my computer. The only aggravating thing is it slows down my other programs while backing up, but at least I have a backup outside of my home.
Good luck to you!