Data Backup Procedure for Mac Users (Mac OS 10.4)
Teachers and Staff: It is important that you backup your documents before you leave for the summer. YOU are responsible for backing up your files. Please call the Help Desk, or consult a building Technician, if you need assistance beyond this document.
This document will explain how to backup to your network folder, but it is highly recommended that you backup to more than one location, such as to your own USB drive, CD, DVD, etc. Photos, music and movies should not be backed up to the network, but can be backed up to your secondary location, such as those listed above. If you need help backing up to this type of media, please call the Helpdesk or see your building Tech.
General backup guidelines:
Do not backup applications (Word, GroupWise, Pages, Firefox, etc.). District licensed applications can be re-installed on your computer if necessary.
Do not backup photos, music or movies to your network folder. These items take up quite a bit of disk space and there is a very real possibility that we will run out of storage space if everyone backs up these items to the network. These items can be backed up to your own USB drive, CD, DVD, etc.
Step #1 - How to Connect to Your User Folder on the Server There are 3 potential options to connect to your network user folder.
Option #1 - Option #1 is the fastest and easiest method, but may not be an option for all users. Teacher stations are set to automatically log into the server. A link to your network folder may be located on the dock. If so, click on the folder to directly access your documents on the server.
Your “User” folder is now open. Proceed to “Step #2 - How to Backup Your Files to Your User Folder on the Server” on page 4.
Open the “Users” icon on the desktop to find your network folder. You can also open a finder window and manually navigate to your network folder. In the left column click on “Users” and then in the next column click on your username.
Your “User” folder is now open. Proceed to “Step #2 - How to Backup Your Files to Your User Folder on the Server” on page 4.
Option #3 – If you are not already connected to the server, use this option. Although Option #3 has the most steps, it works for all users.
In the top menu bar click on “Go” then “Connect to Server”.
At the login window type in your SSO (single sign-on) username and password and click “Connect”. If the login window does not appear continue to next step.
At the next window choose “Users” and the click “OK”. If “Users” is grayed out and you can not select it, then you are already logged into the server. Open a Finder window (click the Finder icon in the Dock), choose “Users” in the left column and continue to the next step.
Step #2 - How to Backup Your Files to Your User Folder on the Server
Now that you have your network user folder open, you need to open your local user folder that resides on your computer’s hard drive. Double click the “Macintosh HD” icon to access your local user folder. The two windows/folders look virtually identical so it is important to be careful and understand where you are copying items. In the following picture there are two Finder windows open, one for the network user folder and one for the local user folder. Click on this icon to change to a column view as illustrated.
How do you know which is your local user folder and which is your network user folder? Your network folder will start in the left hand column in “Users” and in the next column you will see your user folder and then in the next column all the folders inside your user folder. Your local folder will start in the left hand column in “Macintosh HD”, then “Users” in the next column then your user folder in the next column followed by all the folders inside your user folder in the next column. Notice that the folders inside your user folder are plain on the network and have icons on them on the local machine.
You will notice that your network and local user folders have the same group of folders inside them – Desktop, Documents, etc. Simply drag the items (not the folder itself) from your local “Desktop” folder to your network “Desktop” folder. Do the same for the “Documents” folder. If you have backed up before some of your documents may already be there, double check to be sure they are all there. If you have saved documents to places other than your “Desktop” and your “Documents” folder you will need to locate those documents and move them to the network
Network folder: Users/username
Local folder:
Do not copy the contents of your Library, Movies, Music, Pictures, Public or Sites folders. Please backup these items to your own USB drive, CD, DVD or other media. Call the helpdesk or see your building Technician if you need help.
Please be sure your documents are backed up by the end of your last work day. Call the Help Desk if you need help with the process: 205-3343 (or ext. 77460).
Move files from local “Desktop” & “Documents” to
