If you have worked with computers for any length of time, you have undoubtedly heard the warnings and the recommendations. Data stored on PCs can disappear in a nanosecond. You need to back up any crucial data you cannot risk losing. Ideally, you should store at least one set of crucial back-up data off-site in case of a fire, flood or other natural disaster. Fortunately, despite the sometimes catastrophic failures of hard drives, they are generally reliable. Hard drives have a two percent failure rate, according to Margeson. You'll likely outgrow your current PC before it crashes on you.