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Back Up Important Files

Since no system is completely secure, you should regularly back up important files. This is also your best defense against losing files to viruses, software or hardware failure, or the loss or theft of your computer.

How often should I back up my files?

This depends on how often your files change. Choose a regular interval, at least twice per month, and keep to the schedule.

How should I back up my files?

• Departmental Computers
  Talk to your Computer Support Coordinator. He or she may have a backup system in place and can help you.
  OIT also provides backup services for a monthly fee.
• Automatic Backups
  • Windows Vista now includes Windows Backup and Restore Center. Depending on the version of Windows Vista you have, you may either do Automatic Backup which backs up your files and data or Complete PC Backup which backs up everything on your PC.
    • Windows Backup and Restore Center
  • Macintosh OS 10.5 now includes a backup utility called Time Machine that can do automatic backups to an HFS+ formatted FireWire or USB drive connected to your Mac.
    • Mac 101: Using Time Machine in OS X 10.5 Leopard
• Back up to WebFiles
  Faculty, staff and graduate students have 1 GB of disk space on WebFiles. WebFiles is professionally maintained and backed up each night.
• Back up CD or DVD Writers
  Most modern computers have a built-in CD or DVD writer. Burning CDs or DVDs is an inexpensive and reliable way of making backups.

Where should I store my backed up files?

Store your backed up files off site in a secure location. If something happens to your computer or your office, you'll be able to recover your data.

How Do I Burn CDs?

Windows XP

1. Insert a writable CD-R or CD-RW in your computer's CD-R Drive.
2. Open Explorer, right-click on the drive icon for your CD Recorder and select Properties.
3. Choose the Recording tab and make sure the Enable CD Recording on the drive option is turned on.
4. Drag and drop your files and folders from My Documents to the CD Window.
5. When you are done, right-click the drive icon (or the Files Ready to Be Written to the CD link above) and select Write these files to CD.
6. Follow the CD Writing Wizard instructions.

There are third-party CD burning solutions such as Ahead's Nero or Roxio's Easy Media Creator with more flexibility and options. Windows Operating Systems prior to XP require a third-party solution.

Macintosh OS X

1. Insert a writable CD-R or CD-RW in your computer's CD-R Drive.
2. A window should pop up asking you what action to take. Choose Open Finder and give the CD a descriptive name.
3. Double-click the CD icon to open a Finder window for the CD. This will appear like any other drive.
4. Drag and drop the files you want to back up into the CD Finder window.
5. When you are done, drag the CD to the Trash in the Dock. The Trash icon will change to a Burn icon. Click on the Burn the CD button.

There are third-party CD burning solutions such Roxio's Toast with more flexibility and options.