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Storage and Backups

Backing up files

There are many ways to backup your data at the University:

  • Save your data to your personal U: Drive (My Documents)
  • Burn a CD of your data
  • Use a USB memory Key or other removable drive.

U: Drive Information

When you work on the lab or library computers you are unable to save your work to the hard drive or the desktop of the machine you are working on. Instead you save your work to what is known as the U: drive. This U: drive is hard drive space on a network server that has been set aside for every student. Your U: drive will be accessible from any computer you log onto in the Computer labs, the Library, and the Student Drop-In Centre and can only be seen by you.

How much space do I have allocated on my U: drive?

This depends on what you are studying as some courses require students to have more or less space than others. The space allocation starts at 200mb and can be an amount larger than that.

Please note: Additional disk space will be considered by emailing servicedesk@scu.edu.au.

Why and how should you backup your data?

The risk of only having one copy is that your data could get corrupted, accidentally deleted, hacked or a USB drive could fail. One of these incidents is almost certain to happen to you at some point. You need to be prepared.

There are a number of ways to backup your data. You can backup to CD/DVD, USB drives and your U: drive (if you store your data in your Documents folder).

The recommended method is to a USB Drive, which are reasonably cheap and are readily available, including at the CO-OP Bookshop on each campus.

How do I Backup?

  1. Open Windows Explorer
  2. Browse to select your source files - these will most likely be on your U: drive
  3. Highlight the folders/files you wish to back up, click and press Control-C
  4. Then browse to your USB drive and select the drive
  5. Press Control-V and they will be copied on to your drive, leaving the originals behind.

It is recommended that you cycle at least two of these USB drives as they are known to fail.

Data that should be backed up is best located in one major folder eg. "Documents" or Data, with sub folders for ease of management and backup. Know where you are saving files.

USB Drives

USB Drives are also referred to as memory sticks, thumb drives and flash drives. They are handy but the following is the recommended when using these devices:

  1. DO NOT WORK DIRECTLY OFF YOUR USB DRIVE!
  2. REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR USB DRIVE OUT OF THE COMPUTER!
  3. Save your work to your U: drive space first, then copy over to your USB drive.
  4. Don't store near mobile phones
  5. Attach to something as they are small and easily lost

How often should I backup?

Regular multiple backups should be at a minimum, performed once a week and copies stored away from your computer in case of theft or fire etc. You should be able to access one backup quickly in case of an accidental file deletion, and another copy should be kept off-site (at home) in case of a fire or theft.

Updated: 16 August 2012