Training at Georgetown: Best Practices for Backing Up Data

The link below offers step-by-step instructions for properly Backing Up Files: http://uis.georgetown.edu/software/documentation/winxp/winxp.backup.html

 

• You must log in to Windows XP with a Computer Administrator account to make backups. (If you need more information on Computer Administrator accounts, please see Creating Windows User Accounts for more information.)
• Before you back up your files, make sure they are well organized. Save your files in a central directory folder such as "MyFiles" or "My Documents". Avoid saving your files in program or system directories such as "Windows" or "Program Files". These folders contain files needed to run your computer and should not be tampered with.
• Keep at least two backup sets of important files?one in your office and one offsite in case of fire, flood, or theft.
• Place your CD, or Memory Stick in its disk drive.
• Click the Start Button, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools then click Backup.  
• The Backup or Restore Wizard will open. Click Advanced Mode to begin.
• The Backup Utility window will open. Click the Backup tab.
• You can now choose which folders or files you want to back up.
  • To back up an entire folder, click the blank box to the left of the folder. A check mark will appear in the box. (To un-check the folder, click the box again.)
  • To see what is contained in the folder, double-click the folder. The contents of the folder will appear in the right section of the window.
  • To back up a file, click the blank box to the left of the file. A check mark will appear in the box. (To un-check the file, click the box again.)

• To back up your Netscape bookmarks:

  • Double-click your hard drive (usually the C:/ drive).
  • Double-click Program Files.
  • Double-click Netscape.
  • Double-click Users.
  • Double-click the folder that is named with your NetID.
  • Click the box next to "bookmark.html". A check mark will appear in the box.
• Save your backup selections. Click Job then click Save Selection As.
• The Save As window will open. In the space next to File Name, type backup as the name for your script.

• Click the Save button. (By default, the backup script will be saved in the Windows Data folder.) The Save As window will close and you will be taken back to the Backup Utility.
• At this point you have already saved a backup script and been taken back to the Backup Utility. Click the Start Backup button.
• The Backup Job Information window will open.

• It's a good idea to keep a few backups on your disk in case you need to see an old version of a file. Click Append this Backup to the Media to add this backup to the other backups on your disk.

• Click the Start Backup button.
• The Backup Progress window will open. It might take a minute for your backup to start. One the backup starts, it will run without any input from you.
• When the backup is finished, click the Close button.

• Click Job then click Exit to exit the Backup Utility.

• Now that you have set up your backup job and backed up your important files, subsequent backups will be much easier.

Next week, make a weekly backup.

1. Place your CD, Zip disk, or floppy disk in its disk drive.

2. Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, then click Backup.

3. The Backup or Restore Wizard will open. Click Advanced Mode to begin.

4. The Backup Utility window will open. Click the Backup tab.

5. Click Job then click Load Selections. Another window will open.

6. Click the backup script you created and saved previously, backup.bks, then click the Open button. The current window will close, taking you back to the Backup Utility.

7. Click the Start Backup button.

8. The Backup Job Information window will open.

9. It's a good idea to keep a few backups on your disk if you need to see an old version of a file. Click Append this Backup to the Media to add this backup to the other backups on your disk.

10. Click the Start Backup button.

11. The Backup Progress window will open. It might take a minute for your backup to start. One the backup starts, it will run without any input from you.

12. When the backup is finished, click the Close button.

13. Click Job then click Exit to exit the Backup Utility.