Computer Back Up Devices - Backing Up Your PC

Beginning in Summer 2003, KIS will offer back up service over the network for on-campus desktop PCs running Windows in academic departments at Kellogg.  For more information, see Back Up Service for On-Campus Desktop PCs in Kellogg Academic Departments.

If you are not in an academic department or have not been notified that the back up process has been activated on your individual PC, we strongly recommend that you make a back up of your hard drive monthly at a minimum. If your data is extremely valuable or cannot easily be re-created, your back up schedule should be more frequent. The data stored on your hard drive can be lost due to mechanical failure, power inconsistencies, accidental deletion, or other unintentional or uncontrollable events. The use of a back up device on a regular basis ensures that your valuable information will not be lost.

Approaches

There are several approaches to making back ups of your hard drive. One method is to copy the entire contents to a secondary storage device. The size of your hard drive files will determine the amount of time it will take and how many storage units (tapes, cartridges, or disks) will be needed. This method is convenient and guarantees that all data is copied. However, it is not recommended if you have many applications, unless you don't know the locations of all your data files.  A second method is to back up only your data files. Data files can consist of documents, spreadsheets, databases, email, attachments, and any other work that is created from within an application run on your computer. This method is more efficient, and in the event of a hard drive failure the operating system and application software are re-installed from scratch. But to use this procedure, you must be aware of every location for your data files. This is the recommended back up method when you have many applications and are confident about your data file locations.

Back Up Device Options

An easy personal backup solution is to use recordable CD or DVD media. CD recorders are standard on newly ordered Optiplex desktop computers and Thinkpad laptops. DVD recorders can be added to desktop computers at a nominal cost.

Another method of back up would be to use an external harddrive with a USB or firewire connection. The Iomega HDD Portable Harddrive and Iomega Peerless drives are both suitable for this use. The HDD portable harddrive comes with capacities from 20GB to 120GB with prices ranging from $180-$330 for the drives. The Peerless drives comes with either 10 or 20 GB removable cartridges with prices ranging from $140-180 for the system and $80 and $110 for additional 10GB and 20 GB cartidges. The convenient USB connection allows for the drives to be easily used for back up on multiple pcs.

Please contact your KIS technical support rep for assistance in choosing the back up device that best meets your needs, and in learning to use it.

kelloggwebmaster@kellogg.northwestern.edu
Updated: 8/6/03