Frequently Asked Questions about Backupswww.brown.edu/cis/doc Help@brown.edu 863-HELP Q. Do I need to back up my files?A. You risk losing your valuable data if your hard disk crashes, becomes infected with a virus, or your computer is stolen. At this time, CIS is not able to provide backup services for the whole campus, so backing up data becomes the responsibility of each individual and each department. The next best thing is to develop a backup strategy for your data files, and to perform it regularly. Q. In my department, we use a shared file server, do I need to backup?A. If you have access to a departmental server that is backed up regularly, you should keep important documents on the server. Ask your Departmental Computing Coordinator (DCC) what folders are backed up, how often and what the recovery procedure is, in case you need to retrieve a file. Q. What files do I need to backup?A. To begin, think about your files, and determine if any of them might contain critical or sensitive information such as personal or confidential data, research, email or confidential correspondence. Store your files together in folders so you can create backups easily. Q. How often should I backup and what should I use?A. Generally, you should create a backup at least once a week. It is safer and convenient to make a CD backup if you have a built-in CD burner or have access to a CD burner. You could also use large capacity removable cartridges, like Zip or Jaz disks. Servers are often backed up onto tape. For files that are updated frequently, you could use a floppy or removable disk to make a temporary backup. You might backup an important working file many times daily as you make changes. Q. Should I keep more than one backup?A. It's best to keep two sets of backups, and use them in alternate backup sessions. If you are using removable media, use two cartridges so that you can swap them every time you back up. Whatever medium you choose, it could be damaged or lost. Q. I performed a backup, where should I keep it?A. Backup media has to be kept safe, so it's available when you need it. Don't store your disks next to your computer, or even in the drawers of the same table. If the one is damaged or stolen, the other may be too. It's best to keep them in different rooms or different buildings. And remember that if the files on your computer contain sensitive information, the backup should also be kept in a secure location and disposed of properly. Q. I use Windows, where are my data files?A. Microsoft Windows provides a user data folder called My Documents. Although a shortcut to this folder is conveniently available on your desktop (XP users may find it in their Start Menu), you should know the actual location of this folder. Depending upon your version of Windows, My Documents will be typically located:
Q. I save my files on my Windows computer, but they are not in My Documents. What happened to them?A. Don't assume that a file will automatically be saved into the My Documents folder when you click save. Take notice of the folder location the Save dialog box suggests to you before saving. Some may write the file to your Desktop, others may write your file to its own application folder. Eudora is a good example of an application saving data files (your mailboxes) in the Eudora application folder. Q. I use a Macintosh, where are my data files?A. For the Macintosh, building your file management around a Documents folder is a good choice. Saving your data files in a central directory, like Documents, makes backing up data files easier than trying to backup files from multiple locations, like the Desktop or in an application's folder.
|