FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about backing up files
Which files should I back up before the technician arrives to install my computer?
• Any files on your C: drive (hard drive) will be lost if they are not backed up prior to the install
• Files on your H: drive or S: drive will not be effected by the install and do not need to be
backed up
What types of files should I back up?
• Most people will have files from one or more of the following programs: Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect. You may also
have departmental applications which have created files you want to save. If you are not sure
how to find these files, please check with the person in your department who is responsible for
the program.
• You will also want to back up your Netscape bookmarks and other information (see step #3)
Where should I save the files I want to backup?
If you have been backing up your files on a regular basis, either to floppy disks or a zip drive,
just make sure that you perform a backup the day you are scheduled to get your new computer
and include Step 3. A recent backup ensures that the most up-to-date copy of your files will be
transferred to your new computer.
If you have not been backing up your files, you will need to move your files into the pre-existing
folder on your computer called “My Documents”. When the technician arrives to install your
new computer, he or she will save everything in that folder to the network so that it can be
downloaded onto your new computer. Your information will only be on the network during the
time the technician is completing the install: nothing will be left permanently on the network.
How do I move my files into the “My Documents” folder?
This document will explain how to move your files into “My Documents” and will also give you
some advice about how to search your hard drive if you are uncertain where your files are
located.
What will the UCIS technician do when he/she arrives to install my new computer? If I
haven’t backed up my files, can I have the technician do it for me?
The UCIS technician will not back up your files for you, although if you are having problems
with the backup he/she will be glad to answer any questions you may have. If your files have not
been moved to the “My Documents” folder when the technician arrives, he/she will reschedule
your install in order to give you time to complete the backup.
The UCIS technician will only backup any information stored in the “My Documents” folder.
You must make sure that all your information is in that folder.
Moving your files into the “My Documents” folder
STEP 1: Configuring your file display settings
Before you begin moving your files, you should make sure that your computer has not
designated certain files as „hidden‟ and is not including them in your search.
Windows 98:
To display all your files, double-click on My Computer and then click once on your C: drive to
highlight it. From the View menu, choose Folder Options and then click once on the View tab.
Under Advanced Settings, make sure that „Show all files‟ has been selected. If it has not, click
on it once and then choose Reset All Folders. Then choose OK to close the dialog box.
Windows 95:
To display all your files, double-click on My Computer and then click once on your C: drive to
highlight it. From the View menu, click Options. On the View tab, click Show All Files, and
then click OK.
STEP 2: Searching for your files and moving them to My Documents
If you are not certain where on the hard drive you have stored your files, the Windows Find
feature can help you find them.
1. Click once on the Start button and then choose Find
2. Choose Files and Folders from the pop-up menu
3.When the Find dialog box appears, click on the Advanced tab
4. Click on the arrow next to the Of Type box and choose the type of file you are searching for.
This menu only includes files from programs currently loaded on your computer.
5. After you choose the type of file, click on Find Now. A box will appear listing all files that
Windows found.
6. Holding down your Control key, select all the files from this list that you want to move to the
“My Documents” folder. As long as you continue to hold down the Control key, you may
choose as many files as you like.
7. Without letting go of the Control key, click your RIGHT mouse button on any of the
highlighted files. A drop down menu will appear.
8. From that menu, choose Send To. Another menu will appear displaying the locations that you
can choose to send those files. Choose “My Documents”.
9. The computer will then copy your selected files from their current location to the “My
Documents” folder. To confirm the copy, open the “My Documents” folder, either by double-
clicking the icon on your desktop or click on the Name & Location tab on the Find box and set
the Look In box to My Documents with the drop down menu.
STEP 3: Moving your Netscape information to the “My Documents” folder
In order to transfer your netscape information to your new computer, you will first need to move
the appropriate file to “My Documents”:
1. Click once on the Start button and then choose FIND
2. Choose Files and Folders from the pop-up menu
3. When the Find dialog box appears, type „users‟ (no quotes) into the Named box.
4. Click on the arrow to the right of the Look In box and choose c:\
5. Click once on Find Now
6. Several folders may appear, but only one should be called Users. If in doubt, look to the right
under the column called In Folder. The correct Users folder will appear in C:\Program
Files\Netscape.
7. Right-click once on this folder and choose Send To from the drop down menu that appears.
Then choose My Documents, just as in Step 2.