Backing Up Information
It is the user´s reponsibilty to back up data stored on your hard drive that is needed for college business or other important documents. Information Services STRONGLY recommends that users backup any data stored on your computer.
Most new computers purchased in the last three years contain a USB port, as well as a CD-R drive. USB ports can accept a USB Portable Drive. CD-R drives can accept CD´s that are recordable and or re-writable These can be purchased using your department funds through the Computer Purchasing Manager at Ext. 5127 or at any of the college´s outside vendors such as CDWG, Gov Connections, Apple, Dell, OfficeMax, or Staples.
As always, if you have problems or questions, please contact the Help Desk at Ext. 4357 or at help@conncoll.edu.
File Backup for Windows
"My Documents" NOT Automatically Backed Up
Faculty and Staff on Windows operating system personal computers (PCs) should be aware that nothing on the computer´s hard drive is automatically backed up by Information Services (IS). For most users, the computer´s hard drive is labeled the C: drive. This includes data and files stored in "My Documents." Information on the local hard drive must be backed up by individuals if the information needs to be preserved or archived. Information can be saved to portable media such as CDs, or other portable devices such as a USB flash drive.
Backing up to a CD-R
Insert a blank CD-R into your CD drive. This dialog box appears.
Click OK to open a writable CD folder. Copy files to put on this CD and paste them in the CD folder. As you drag files and folders, you may see a dialog box like this one indicating the progress of file transfer.
The title under the Name bar will read Files Ready to be Written to CD as the copied files are transferred to the CD folder. When all the files you want to save to this CD are in the CD folder, click Write these files to CD.
When you select Write these files to CD, you will be prompted for a VERY brief title for the CD. Also check the box to close the wizard after the files have been written so you will know when the job is complete.
Now write the title of your CD directly on the top of the CD with a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie. Remember to add the date you created the backup CD for future reference.
File Backup options for Mac OS 10.X
What needs to be backed up?
Word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, images.
What doesn´t need to be backed up?
Operating system (this can be reinstalled from the CDs). Software (like Microsoft Office) that either was installed by IST or special software where you have the CD. Software available on the web. Hardware drivers are easy to download from the web.
Backing up to a CD-R
Insert a blank CD-R into your CD drive. This dialog box appears.
Enter a name for the CD. If you are going to use the CD to backup documents a simple title like
Office Docs 4-12-04 might be appropriate. If you are backing up a particular document, put that documents title in the CD name along with a date.
Budget Review 3-23-06 later on, you will need to write this title on the CD itself.
Click the OK button.
This will put a CD icon on your desktop.
Select files to put on this CD and simply drag them to the iCD icon in much the same way as you would drag files to a floppy disk icon.
As you drag files and folders, you may see a dialog box like this one indicating the progress of file transfer.
How many files fit on one CD?
Because a CD can hold many, many more files than a floppy or a Zip disk, you may want to see how much storage space if left on your CD.
Check for available storage space by pressing the Apple-I while clicking on the CD icon.
Burn the CD
Although, it looks like you are actually copying files when you are dragging them to the CD icon, you need to tell the computer to actually BURN the image onto the CD.
Drag the CD icon to the trash can icon. The Trash can icon will change to a yellow and black burn icon, the words Burn Disk appear next to the yellow and black icon, and a dialog box will be displayed.
Leave the burn speed set at maximum unless you have a directive to otherwise set the speed to another setting. Click BURN
This step actually writes the files to the CD. It does NOT eject the CD. You can eject the CD once the burning process is complete.
Last Modified: Friday, August 17, 2007 11:40