This issue's message: Back up your work. 

The PC operating system is called "Windows," but sometimes you can't see out. The Tech Helpline has received a number of calls lately from Realtors who say they cannot open Windows. In most cases when this happens, Windows must be reinstalled. 

With Windows, "reinstalled" many times means, "You just lost all your data." 

Scary, but it's a good time to point out that natural disasters happen unexpectedly, and everyone living near a coastline now faces a new hurricane season. You can't always predict when a disaster will hit (hurricanes, tornados, lightning strike, etc.) and you can't predict when your computer software or hardware will crash. You have but one defense: 

It's good advice and worth repeating: Back up your work. Most Tech Helpline callers, when asked, admit that they don't do this. 

Backing up data does not have to be complicated. Just copy important data onto a CD on a regular basis -- it doesn't require special software or a complete understanding of computers to accomplish. Copy all important documents and the following on a regular basis:

My Documents
Favorites folder
E-Mail Contacts (Note to Microsoft Outlook users: Do not rely on only your "pst" file for backing up your contacts. Export your contacts as a CSV file.) 

In some cases, software has a built-in program to help you back up data. Proprietary programs such as ACT!, Top Producer 6i, Quicken, QuickBooks, Microsoft Money and others will create a backup file on your computer. Save this information by copying that backup file to a CD. 

Want more info? The Technology Helpline will e-mail you an instructional document on backup procedures.