Q. I use Carbonite for my online backups. Your earlier tip on setting it up was great. But I'm worried about restoring lost files. I wouldn't trust myself in a panic. I might lose files out of ignorance. Can you follow up with restoration instructions?
—Ernest in Nashville, TN, listening on WTN 99.7 FM

A. Carbonite is one of my advertisers. So, I'm always glad my listeners use it. I paid to put it on all my computers. Ask anyone who knows me. That is the acid test!

However, this is a real question from Ernest. I'm not shilling for Carbonite. So, with that out of the way, let's help Ernest.

Carbonite is reasonably easy to use. But you can delete important files if you freak out. So, take a deep breath.

Carbonite can restore all of your backed up files. That could include virtually everything on the computer. Are you a patient person? There are better ways to back up the hard drive. Besides, you may only need to restore certain files. That should be easy and quick.

Restore a single file

First, double-click the Carbonite Backup Drive shortcut on your desktop. Double-click Backed up Files. Browse to the file or files you want to restore. Right-click the file, and select Restore. That file will be restored to its proper place on your hard drive.