How to backup your data
Revision as of 17:50, 19 December 2006 by Tami(talk | contribs)(Backing Up to CD or DVD)

While technology is improving every day, it does fail sometimes. Frequently backing up essential data is extremely important. Please see the instructions below for your operating system and backup method.

Windows - Backing up to CD

Where is My Data?

On a windows machine data specific to each user is stored in the User Profile. Typically every user has their own profile. In the Windows XP operating system user profiles are stored in the C:\Documents and Settings directory. Inside this directory are all the files specific to you, including My Documents, My Pictures and My Music.

Backing Up to CD or DVD

Open writable CD.jpg

Not all computers on campus have DVD burners, but nearly all have CD burners. If your campus owned machine is without a CD burner, please contact the Technology Helpline and request to have one installed.

Steps for Backing up to CD or DVD

  1. Insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive on your computer.
  2. You will be prompted with a window asking you what you want to do.
  3. Select Open writable CD folder using Windows Explorer.
  4. Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\username and click and drag any folders you would like to back up to the D:\ window. If you are backing up user information for web browsers, you will want to delete any cache files first. Different application settings are found in different locations in the user profile.
    Write to CD.jpg
  5. When you are ready to burn the CD, click the Write these files to CD option.

Windows - Using Smart Backup

If you have a Windows machine and a CDRW drive, you can use SmartBackup to backup your important files to CDRWs. To have SmartBackup installed on your computer, please contact the Technology Helpline at x6111 or helpline@gustavus.edu

Formatting CDRWs With Nero InCD

Before you can use SmartBackup to backup your data to CDRWs, they must be formatted. Note, you cannot use CDR's with InCD, just CDRW's.

  • Insert a blank CDRW into your CDRW drive.
  • Double click on My Computer.
  • Right click on your CDRW drive and select InCD format.
  • Give your CDRW a name in the Label field (note, if you need to backup to multiple CDRWs, they must have unique names).
  • Click "Start". InCD will now format your CDRW.
  • When you are returned to the InCD format utility window, click on Eject CD
  • You may be given options on how you want to access the CDRW. Select Leave As Is and click OK.
  • Close the InCD format utility window.

Setting Backup Criteria

With SmartBackup, you can setup and save backup criteria.

  • Open SmartBackup by double-clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click on "Create Backup".
  • On the General tab, specify a name for your backup in the Name field.
  • Click on the icon next to the Destination Path field
  • Select your CDRW (see figure 2).
  • On the Refreshes and Other Settings tab, check "Enable Automatic Refresh" to schedule a regular backup.
  • Set the frequency you desire.
  • Check "Activate Spanning on Multiple Disks".
  • Click "Next".
  • Select the files and folders you want to backup. For example, to backup your MyLocalData folder, click on the box next to MyLocalData.
  • Click "Next" to save the criteria and run the backup now, or click Save and Exit to save the criteria.

Running a backup

A scheduled backup will run with the saved criteria you specified. You will be prompted to insert your backup CD. Note that if your backup is larger than one CD, you will be prompted to insert subsequent disks (CDs.)

You can also run a saved backup manually at any time

  • Open SmartBackup by double clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click "Maintain Backup".
  • Select the backup you wish to run.
  • Click "Refresh".

Restoring from backup

To restore files from your backup CD

  • Open SmartBackup by double clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click "Maintain Backup".
  • Select the backup you wish to restore from.
  • Click "Restore".
  • Select the files or folders you wish to restore.
  • Click "Finish".