Faculty & Staff

Using DAVE to Backup Files from a Macintosh to Your Mercury Folder

Why should I backup my files?

No matter how carefully you work to protect your computer, bad things can happen. Regularly making backups is one of your best defenses against lost files caused by viruses, worms, or software and hardware failure.

How often should I backup my files?

It is recommended that you perform backups on a regular schedule. How often you do backups depends on how much your files change, but once a week or once every other week is a good interval for many people.

If you are getting a new computer, it is requested that you backup your important files to the Mercury file server, before Information Systems configures and sets up your new computer, Your files will then be accessible from your new computer.

Where do I backup my files?

Information Systems automatically gives UWB faculty and staff 500 MB of space on the Mercury file server.

How do faculty and staff access their Mercury folders?

Log On

  1. Select Log On.
  2. In the Network Logon window, type in your user name and password. (Note: this is the username and password you use to log onto the UWB network, which is different than the username and password for logging onto Homer.) For Domain, type UWB.
  3. In the UWB window scroll down until you find Mercury, then double click on Mercury.
  4. In the Mercury window, scroll until you find your department's folder. Double click on that folder to open it up.
  5. In your department's window, scroll until you find your personal folder.

You can now open your folder and access any previously saved files, or you can move new files to this folder. Creating a shortcut to Mercury on the desktop might make it easier to do your work, save, and open files from your folder.

Log Off

  1. Click on Access on the menu bar at the top of your desktop.
  2. Select Log Off.

Back to Top

Creating a Shortcut to Your Mercury Folder

A shortcut to Mercury makes it simpler to save files directly to your folder and to backup files to your folder.

  1. You must first follow the How do faculty and staff access their Mercury folders directions.
  2. Click on your folder to highlight it.
  • Do you want to make a shortcut of your department's public folder? If so, then follow these steps but click on the departmental public folder instead.
  1. Press the apple key on your keyboard and, at the same time, press the "M" key. This will put an icon on your desktop with your name on it. It will look like this:

    Image

    1. Go to the icon you just created. Click on it once to highlight it, then press the apple key on your keyboard and, at the same time, press the "M" key. This will put an icon on your desktop with your name on it. It will look like this:

    Image

    1. Double click on this icon to access your folders. This icon will now remain on your desktop, even when you restart your computer.

    Back to Top

    How do I backup my files?

    Because computers sometimes have unplanned problems, saving all of your files to your Mercury folder is a good practice.

    1. You must first follow the Create a Shortcut to Mercury directions, which will place an icon on your desktop.
    2. Files: Locate your files on your computer and simply drag them to the your Shortcut to Mercury on your desktop.
    3. Documents Folder: Because Microsoft Office application save files in the Documents folder as a default, sometimes files will be inadvertently saved there. Check your Documents folder for files:
    • Double click on your Mac hard drive.
    • Scroll to locate the "Documents" folder, double click on it.
    • If you see any files there that you would like to save, you can drag them to your Shortcut to Mercury.
    1. Bookmarks and Favorites: Backup any Netscape bookmarks and Internet Explorer favorites. See our documentation on Backing up bookmarks and favorites.
    2. Email:
    • Pine:No email backup is necessary.
    • Outlook Express: Email or call the helpdesk at 425-352-5275 for assistance with backing up email files.
    • Outlook 8.2: It is possible that you have some files on your hard drive that need to be backed up. To determine whether you have these files:
      • On the menu bar, click on File, then Find.
      • Type personal folders in the box.
      • Click Find.
      • Click OK when done. If any files are found, call the helpdesk at 425-352-5275 for assistance with backup.
      • Repeat the process, typing personal address book instead of personal folders. Again, if any files are found, call the helpdesk at 2-5275 for assistance with backup.

    Back to Top

    Suggested Steps for Saving New Files as you Create Them

    Saving files directly to your Mercury shortcut, as you create them, is the best method for ensuring that your files will be safe. Some people feel more comfortable saving their files on their hard drive and then backing up to Mercury periodically. If you choose to save files to your hard drive, it is best to save all of your files in one desktop folder, so that you can easily backup your files in one step. You can choose either method:

    Saving New Files Directly to Your Mercury Shortcut
    1. You must first follow Create a Shortcut to Mercury directions.
    2. When you are in an application and you want to save a file:
    • While in the application, click File on the menu bar, then Save As.
    • In the Save window, click on the Desktop button on the right hand side of the window.
    • This will bring up your desktop items, scroll until you find your shortcut to Mercury "Your Name" alias (For example: CBradley Alias) and then double click on it.
      • If you are not logged on to Mercury, you will get a "Connect to the server Mercury" window. Type in your User Name and Password, then click OK.
    • The contents of your personal folder on Mercury will now be displayed.
    Creating a Desktop Folder and Backing up Periodically to Mercury
    1. You must first follow Create a Shortcut to Mercury directions.
    2. To create a folder on your desktop, go to the menu bar, click on File, and then click on New Folder.
    3. An "untitled folder" will appear on your desktop, press the delete key and type "Files on my Mac", or any name that you want to give this folder.
    4. When you are in an application and you want to save a file:
    • While in the application, click File on the menu bar, then Save As.
    • In the Save As window, click on the Desktop button on the right hand side of the window.
    • This will bring up your desktop items, scroll until you find the folder "Files on my Mac" and then double click on it.
    • The contents of this folder will now be displayed. Click Save.
    1. Once a day, you can backup this folder to your Mercury folder. Just click and drag the "Files on my Mac" to your shortcut to Mercury on the desktop.

    Back to Top