Difference between revisions of "PC laptop backup FAQ"
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You can contact us for training or questions on how to backup your personal information before your exchange session. This wiki also provides extensive online documentation that you can access yourself at any time. | You can contact us for training or questions on how to backup your personal information before your exchange session. This wiki also provides extensive online documentation that you can access yourself at any time. | ||
| − | *'''Students''' - Contact the Technical Support Center | + | *'''Students''' - Contact the Technical Support Center (457-5240 Option 1; [mailto:asktech@winona.edu AskTech@winona.edu], Somsen Hall 207) |
*'''Employees''' - Contact {{TLT}}. | *'''Employees''' - Contact {{TLT}}. | ||
*Backup workshops for employees are available on the [https://mywsu.winona.edu/tlt/training/default.aspx TLT Professional Learning Opportunities] site. | *Backup workshops for employees are available on the [https://mywsu.winona.edu/tlt/training/default.aspx TLT Professional Learning Opportunities] site. | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 20 May 2015
About this article
This article includes a list of frequently asked questions about backing up the WSU PC laptop you receive through the e-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program. It is intended for both students and employees.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to back up my laptop manually?
Yes. WSU does not does not support automated backup services, such as Windows Backup or Apple Time Machine. During the two or three years that you are using your laptop, you may use those services at your own risk. However, when you exchange your laptop, it typically involves migration across operating systems and backup tools designed for one version of an operating system may not work well on another. In preparation for a laptop exchange, you will want to do a manual backup of your personal files.
Can I back up my files when I come in for my laptop exchange session?
No. We provide training and answer backup questions throughout the year, but there is no time to do this during these scheduled, group-based exchange sessions. If you aren't backed up and ready to go beforehand, you will have to reschedule.
Can I just back up my whole laptop hard drive?
You can, but don't. Your WSU laptop hard drive contains volumes of system and application files that you do not need to back up. When you are assigned a new laptop, either because of equipment failure or during a laptop exchange, it will come with these system files pre-installed. What you need to worry about backing up are the files that you created and you need to do that in an organized and thoughtful way or you risk losing important data. A much better approach is to back up your Home directory.
What doesn't need to be backed up?
- Any files already stored in your WSU network drives or OneDrive for Business cloud storage - Although it's always a good idea to have multiple copies of important files and store those copies in different locations, you do not need to back up the folders and files in your R (personal), S (department), or W (course1; studentwebs) network drives or in your OneDrive for Business cloud storage in preparation for your laptop exchange.
- Applications that you have installed on your laptop - Your new devices will come with some applications already installed. Any applications that you installed on your old devices yourself, including campus-provided and personally-owned applications, will need to be re-installed on your new devices. Generally, you cannot copy applications from one machine to another, so there is no need to back up any of your applications on your old devices.
- Web browser plugins and extensions - If you have modified your web browser by installing plugins or extensions, you will need to re-install these on your new devices. You cannot copy these from one device to another. One notable exception is the Google Chrome browser. If you use Google Chrome with a Google Account, then your extension information is stored in the cloud and is applied to any instance of the browser on any device.
- Web applications - Tools like D2L and Qualtrics that you access on the web are not installed on your laptop and do not leave any related files on your laptop.
- Unarchived Outlook Email, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks - Email messages that are in your username@winona.edu mailbox, including the Inbox, Drafts, Sent Items folders and custom subfolders, are not stored on your laptop and do not need to be backed up. Note that this does not include mailbox archives which may be stored on your laptop and will need to be moved.
- Printer drivers - You will re-install any WSU network printers on your new devices. You will also need to re-install any personal printers.
How much data do I actually have?
Where on my laptop are all my files?
You have full administrative rights to your laptop, so you have the ability to save your files just about anywhere. When you received your new laptop, there were default file folders (e.g., Documents, Pictures, Music) already in place, which is where you probably saved most of your files. However, you may have installed applications that stored things in other locations and/or you may have put things in other locations (e.g., your Desktop) yourself. Consult the following articles to learn more:
- Where on your laptop are your files?
- Organizing your files on your laptop hard drive
Where should I store my backups?
WSU supports two, university-managed storage solutions, OneDrive for Business and network storage. Students no longer have network storage access and will need to use OneDrive. External media (e.g., DVD, external hard drive) backup is not supported by WSU, so you use this option at your own risk. If it applies to you, please consult our policies and guidelines for storing private university data.
How often should I back up?
If your laptop fell in the river right now, would you lose any important data? The answer should be, "no." That's your litmus test. Safeguarding your data should not be an event; it should be part of your daily routine. Use network, cloud, and external storage to house your important files. Think of your laptop as a desk, not a file cabinet.
You can contact us for training or questions on how to backup your personal information before your exchange session. This wiki also provides extensive online documentation that you can access yourself at any time.
- Students - Contact the Technical Support Center (457-5240 Option 1; AskTech@winona.edu, Somsen Hall 207)
- Employees - Contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu).
- Backup workshops for employees are available on the TLT Professional Learning Opportunities site.
What if I forget something?
The hard drive of your old laptop will be stored for two weeks following your exchange session just in case you missed anything. Contact the Technical Support Center (457-5240 Option 1; techsupport@winona.edu, Somsen Hall 207), to schedule an appointment to access your old hard drive if needed. A staff member from TLT will be present if needed to assist you when you visit the Technical Support Center.