Step 1: Know Your Backup Tool

Your data backups should include all of Eudora's data files. If you don't use a Program Archive, you'll probably want to include all the Eudora program files in data backups in case Qualcomm stops offering the download of the version you're using. The ability of backup programs to choose individual files or file types varies. Start Windows Explorer and browse to the Eudora directory.

Step 2: Sort by Date

Click the Modified bar to view the Eudora files in order of file modification. The files with modification dates after your installation are the most important to include in backups, because they are the ones concerned with your particular messages, mailboxes, and data files. Each Eudora "folder" of mailboxes gets its own subdirectory under Eudora.

Step 3: More Directories

Other subdirectories hold the signatures, script files, attachments, and plug-in utilities used by Eudora. All of these subdirectories (folders) should be included in your backup scheme.

Step 4: Look at Eudora Files

In the main Eudora directory, there are many files that need to be backed up regularly. Each top-level mailbox has a mailbox file and a table-of-contents file. Text files that you have created are located here, as well as other database files Eudora uses to do its job. Finally, the Eudora program executable itself is here. The easiest way to ensure a secure backup scheme is to include the main Eudora directory and all its subdirectories in the scheme.

Step 5: Start Backup

Fortunately, Microsoft Backup makes it easy to include Eudora and everything below it. Close Eudora and the Windows Explorer, and start Microsoft Backup. In most cases, it's in Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Backup. If you don't have an existing backup job, cancel out of the backup job-creating wizard.

Step 6: Look at Disk Image

Click the plus sign next to your C: drive (or whatever drive Eudora is on) and scroll down to Eudora. Check the box next to Eudora. That's it! If you just modified an existing backup scheme, your Eudora files will now be included. If not, this was just practice. Create a backup scheme for your computer system, and remember to include the Eudora structure when you do. Close the Backup program.