Backing-up My Files

Saving Files using DFS (MIDDFILES)

Networked file servers are provided at Middlebury College to give everyone a personal folder for data storage and to facilitate file sharing for coursework and by administrative departments. To save a file in these storage spaces you must be connected to the server then move the file to the storage folder or save the file from an application.

Navigating the DFS Fileserver Namespace

The most widely-used file servers are grouped into one namespace using DFS (Distributed File System).
1. Double-click My Computer on your desktop .
2. Click and select Details view from the drop-down list (top menu bar).
3. Double-click middfiles on middlebury.edu on the N drive . The servers in the namespace are those at the right.
• Classes is used by faculty and students for file sharing. Folders for classes are grouped under folders by semester, such as Spring09.
• Home is where you will find your personal storage folder (usually your U drive). After opening home, open the alphabetic folder that corresponds to the first character in your username. For instance, if your username is jjones you would open. to find your personal folder.
• orgsfolder level is used for departmental file sharing and storage.  In this top-level namespace and in levels below it, you will see folders to which you do not
have privileges to access. If you attempt to open them you will get an error message saying
access is denied.

Copy a File to a File Server Folder

1. Double-click on My Computer.
2. In the View menu (top menu bar in window), point to Explorer Bar and select Folders from the submenu.
3. Navigate to the file you want to copy in the right pane.
4. Use the + (plus) and - (minus) icons in the left pane to navigate to the folder to which a file is to be copied.
5. Drag the file icon in the right pane onto the desired folder icon in the left pane and release the
mouse button.

Save a File to a File Server Folder From an Application

1. In your application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) click the File menu, then select the Save As option. A navigation tool opens.
2. To select the location to save the file, follow one of these paths:

To save a file in the Share folder for your course navigate the following spaces:

• My Computer | middfiles on middlebury.edu | semester | course | Share   (replacing semester and course with the appropriate semester and course)
  

Note: You must use the drag-and-drop (copy) method above to save a file in the Dropbox folder.

To save a file in your personal folder navigate the following spaces:

• My Computer | middfiles on middlebury.edu | alphabetic-sequence | your-username   (replacing alphabetic-sequence and your-username with the appropriate choices).

3. In the File name field, type a name for the file.
4. Click Save.

Create Shortcuts to Frequently Used Folders

You may want to create shortcuts to file server folders that you use regularly.
1. Navigate the My Computer window until you can see the destination folder you desire.
2. Right-click the folder and select Create Shortcutfrom the pop-up menu.
3. A message will display saying Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the
shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead? Click Yes.
Double-click the shortcut icon when you want to open the folder.

Getting a new computer ~ What should I save from my current computer?

If you are scheduled to receive a new computer and you currently have an existing computer with personal/work files as well as desktop shortcuts and browser favorites then you will want to follow these instructions.

Important personal data and configuration information to save to your MIDDFILES Home drive space U would be:

Reference Selective Backup on the LIS wiki.