Can't Find my Files  :   There are many possible problems here :

  • Forgot where it is - drive D: ?  Drive Z: ?  USB stick ?  Which folder?
  • I didn't actually save the document - I forgot
  • I thought the computer was saving automatically, but it didn't
  • Forgot the file name  
  • I never typed a file-name - the computer chose the name automatically but I don't know it
  • I can only find an old version of the file, not the newer finished version
  • I saved from the Internet, but I don't know where the files went
  • There were lots of files, but I can only find some of them
  • I'm sure I saved them in My Documents, but they aren't there
  • I'm sure I saved it - someone must have erased it
  • The network crashed right when I was trying to save it

** All these problems can be solved by a few good-sense precautions **

Good File Names :  NEVER let the computer choose the file name.  It might use the whole first sentence in your essay or something equally silly.  You need to choose a good name.  Avoid punctuation marks and other strange characters, and don't type blank spaces.  Write something you can understand and remember.  It should describe the contents of the document.

    Bad Names :   My Essay      This title is way too long        0001        Essay

   Good Names:   MarkTwainEssay      MathHW12sep       CASnotesTerm1

Alternate LARGEandSmall letters makes it readable WITHOUT blanks spaces.

Use Folders :  Make a FOLDER for yourself (with your name) on drive D: (or C:).  For each new project, make a NEW FOLDER inside your folder.  Then even if you forget the file name, you will have a pretty good idea where you should look.  With folders, it is very easy to copy files to other disk drives - e.g. to your Z: drive so you have a backup copy, or onto your USB stick.  A simple drag and drop will copy lots of files at one time.  You are less likely to forget to copy multiple files.

Save AS First :  When you choose Save As, you are forced to choose a place for the file.  Then you are more likely to know where you put it.  Write down the folder and filename, so you don't forget.

Save on Drive D: First :  Drive D: ALWAYS works, even when the network is down.  If you want a copy on your Z: drive, do it later.  Don't work directly on Z:.

Save Often (ctrl-S) :  Most applications save quickly and easily by pressing ctrl-S.  Do this often - every 10 minutes, or every time you pause to think about what you are doing.  But be sure you have already done a Save-As and assigned a good file-name and chosen a good place for the file.

Make Extra Copies (backups) :  Before turning the computer off, be sure to make an extra copy of your work.  If you used a FOLDER, this will be easy - just drag and drop the folder from drive D: to drive Z: or your USB stick.  Then you have 2 copies - even if someone erases the copy from drive D:, you still have a copy somewhere else.                                      

        [Things you SHOULDN'T do]