DVD Data Backup on the Kellogg Laptop Program T60

In This Document:

Overview

The Kellogg Laptop Program ThinkPad T60 includes a DVD±RW drive for easy data backup. Kellogg Information Systems encourages all students to backup periodically (at least once a quarter) in order to prevent accidental data loss. For several years, hard drive failure has been one of the most common failure types in the Kellogg Laptop Program. While Kellogg Information Systems can make efforts to recover your data, regular backups are the best way to ensure that you are not at risk.

Although a copy of your Exchange emails, calendar events, and contacts are stored on the Kellogg Exchange server, please keep in mind that archived items are not. Therefore, if your hard drive fails we will not be able to restore your archived items without a recent backup from you.

In order to back up your data to DVD, you will need a blank DVD±R, DVD±RW, or DVD±R DL (Dual Layer) disc. These discs can be purchased in many retail stores.

Location of personal data on KLP T60 Laptop

The hard drive of the ThinkPad T60 is partitioned into two areas: the C:\ drive for the operating system and software applications, and the D:\ drive for all personal data. The pre-installed software on the KLP image saves personal data to the D:\Documents and Settings\Administrator directory, which is known as the User Profile Directory. All documents should be stored there unless you have specified otherwise. The user profile directory includes, but is limited to, the following subfolders:

  • Desktop
  • Favorites
  • My Documents
    • My Music
    • My Videos
    • My Pictures
    • Outlook

Mozilla Firefox users will find their Firefox bookmarks in D:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\XXXXX.default. The bookmark file is simply "bookmarks.html." You will need to turn on hidden folders in order to see the Application Data folder. To turn on hidden folders:

  • Navigate to the Control Panel -> Folder Options -> Select the "View" tab -> Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders."

Please be sure to hide hidden folders when you are done backing up your data.

If you installed software on your own, make sure those programs have saved important files to the User Profile Directory. Otherwise, you will need browse your C:\ and D:\ drives and backup any important files yourself.

How to backup your data on the KLP T60 using Multimedia Center Home

The Kellogg Laptop Program ThinkPad T60 comes with Multimedia Center Home for burning data, audio, and video to DVD/CD. It can be found under Start > All Programs > Utilities > Multimedia Center Home.

First, insert a blank DVD.

1. Under the left-hand menu, select Data > Data Disc.

 

 

2. Select Add Data.

A dialog box will come up prompting you to select files or folders to add to your data session. If you want to back up your Outlook files, selec the Outlook folder and click Add.

Select Add Data again to add other files or folders to the data session. You may want to backup Music or Photo files separately, as they can take up large amounts of space.

If you want to add your entire My Documents folder, you will need to navigate to My Computer > data (D:) > Documents and Settings > Administrator and select My Documents. Note that in many cases this folder holds more than 4.7GB of data and will be too large to fit on a single DVD disc.


3. Once you have selected the data you wish to backup, check and make sure that you have sufficient space on the disc by checking the icon in the lower left hand corner. If you see "Insert disc", it will not properly calculate the free space available.
4. Click on Volume Label to name the backup.

5. Finally, to burn your data to disc, click on the red button in the bottom right-hand corner.

You're done! Be sure to store your backups in a safe and secure place.

What's the difference between DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD±R DL?

Both DVD±R and DVD±RW have the same maximum storage capacity (4.7 GB), while DVD±R DL can store almost double (8.5 GB). DVD±RW discs can be re-used, but cost more and may not work in older DVD-ROM drives. DVD±R DL also cost more and may not be compatible with older drives.

While there are differences between the DVD+R and DVD-R formats, they are not notable for data backup purposes. If you will be burning video to DVD, it may be valuable to check what formats your DVD player is capable of playing.

  Pros Cons
DVD±R Less expensive than DVD±RW discs. Can only be written once; you can not add data to a DVD±R once it has been recorded, nor can you erase the disc and re-use it.
Virtually all DVD players can read DVD±R discs  
DVD±RW (Recommended) Re-usable. You can add data to DVD±RW discs, or erase They're more expensive than DVD±R discs.
DVD±RW drives can write to both DVD±R and DVD±RW media.

Some DVD players and DVD±ROM drives may have trouble reading DVD±RW discs.
DVD±R DL Hold twice as much data as DVD±R or DVD±RW discs. They're more expensive than DVD±R discs. Some DVD players and DVD±ROM drives may have trouble reading DVD±R DL discs.

DVD Burners for Kellogg Laptop Program laptops

Kellogg Laptop Program Students with Thinkpad T43s, T41s, or T40s currently have CDRW-DVD Combo drives that are capable of burning to CD-R/RW. If you should need to replace your drive, or wish to purchase a DVD "Multi-Burner" drive, more information can be found on the laptop parts page.

 

Last update: June 2, 2008