Backup Options

The security and care of the data on your ThinkPad is your responsibility. Files and data can be lost through viruses, accidental deletion, hardware failure, or theft of the computer. Backups will reduce the impact of such occurrences. In addition, if you bring the ThinkPad to The Bridge for repairs, your data must be backed up prior to service.

Visit the Technlogy Guide for instructions for creating a data backup on a CD or DVD using the backup software on Wake Forest University issued ThinkPads.

Options to consider for securing your data:

 External Hard Drive

Cost: $80 (approximately)

Storage Space: unlimited

Supported File Types: All

Backup Frequency: User set

Automation: No

What students are saying: External hard drives are inexpensive and hold large amounts of data, but the hard drive must be physically connected to the computer to perform a backup. Most models are large enough to hold a substantial media library, as well as text-based documents. Hard drives can be purchased at retailers such as such as Office Depot and Best Buy. The Bridge, in the Z.Smith Library, carries a limited number of hard drives for purchase.

DVDs

Cost: $1 (approximately)

Storage Space: 4.7 GB/DVD

Supported File Types: All

Backup Frequency: User set

Automation: No

What students are saying: DVDs are inexpensive and easy to use but are easily damaged and are generally not reusable. Additionally storage space is limited, so users with large amounts of data may need to use several DVDs at once. DVDs can be purchased at a variety of retailers such as Office Depot, Best Buy and Target. 

Dropbox

Cost: Free 

Storage Space: 2 GB - 100 GB

Supported File Types: All

Backup Frequency: Continuous

Automation: Yes

What students are saying: Dropbox is an online backup service that places a folder on the user's computer and automatically creates a backup of any file stored in this folder.  The free option provides enough space to store most text-based documents, while the paid options are suitable for digital files, such as music and pictures. 

Notice: Dropbox is a data backup solution recommended by Information Systems. Information Systems has not completed a security review of this service. Information Systems is not responsible for the security or safety of data backed up using Dropbox.

This service can be downloaded at http://getdropbox.com