Computer Backup: Frequently Asked Questions



  1. What computer files are backed up?
    • \My Documents, Favorites, and Desktop
    • C:\Documents and settings and subdirectories
    • Outlook Personal Folders (pst files)

    2. TSM backs up the following files:

    IR&C recommends that users place their important documents in "My Documents" to ensure they are backed up. Files that are not backed up include videos, pictures, music, zip files, and executables.

  2. Can I change which files are backed up?

    3. IR&C prefers to adhere to a single backup template for all desktops. Under special circumstances, a different template may be applied.

  3. What happens if I shut down my computer while a backup is running?

    4. TSM will end the backup session. Anything backed up at that point, though, should remain backed up

  4. Can I manually stop the backup if it seems to be causing a problem on my computer?

    5. If the backup is in progress, you can bring up the Task Manager and end the session.

  5. How long are backup files retained?
    • Both the current and the previous versions of files existing on a machine are stored in TSM. If more than fourteen days elapse between changes to a file, the previous version will be deleted from TSM storage, and only the current version retained.
    • TSM retains the backup file for deleted files for thirty days before finally removing it.

    6. The answer varies for files currently existing on a machine and for files that have been deleted.

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  6. How many versions of a backup file are retained for subsequent retrieval?

    7. Both the current version and the previous version, unless the previous version has been deleted (in instances when the file has not been changed for fourteen days).

  7. Is there a limit to how much data can be backed up for a single user?

    8. No, but TSM data is stored on tapes that have costs associated with them. Users are encouraged to delete unnecessary files from their computers to avoid overburdening the TSM storage system.

  8. When do the backups take place?

    9. Desktop backups occur between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Each desktop computer is assigned a time slot within that period: either morning (9:00 a.m. - noon) or afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.). The TSM server staggers the starting times for backups to balance the workload. Thus, a machine scheduled for the late-morning backup window doesn't necessarily start backing up at 9:00 a.m. sharp but might start at 10:08 a.m. instead. If necessary, a computer can be assigned a different time slot.

  9. How long does the backup process take?

    10. Usually an hour. The length of time depends, though, on the number of files TSM has to examine on a machine, how many of those need to be copied to the TSM server, and how many other machines are trying to do the same thing.

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  10. Will I notice when a back-up is occurring?

    11. Depending on the amount of data being backed up, the amount of RAM installed on your system, and the speed of your computer's processor, you may experience a greater or lesser degree of system sluggishness during the backup. The first backup of your system will take the most time. Subsequent daily backups should be faster because the only data copied is that which has changed since the previous backup.

  11. How do I restore something that was backed up?

    12. Contact Technology Service Desk for assistance.

  12. Can I recover individual files, or is it all or nothing?

    13. You can recover individual files.

  13. Can anyone else view or recover backups from my computer?

    14. Only a TSM administrator (IR&C TechDesk) has the rights to view and restore files on TSM. Some users who have local admin rights on their systems may also be able to view and recover files.

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  14. How long does the file recovery process take?

    15. It depends on how much data is being restored, how many tapes the data spans, and the speed and power of your system. Single or several files can be restored in a matter of minutes. Restoring all the backup data for one computer may take an hour or two.

  15. Are backup files stored off-site?

    16. The backup and recovery of files are done using tapes stored on-site. A set of tapes intended for use in the case of a disaster (an event that destroys and requires the re-creation of many business records) is generated from the on-site tapes. The disaster-recovery set is sent off-site every week for storage.

  16. Can Apple computers be backed up using TSM?

    17. Yes they can.  Currently we don’t have an automatic way to push out the TSM client to Mac computer but we can manually install the client when a request comes into TechDesk.  “Desktop” files and any files in the “Documents” folder are backed up.

  17. How and when are my department servers backed up?

    18. Servers (including network file shares and application servers) are backed up between 1am and 4am everyday.  The servers don’t have any file exclusions and will back up all files on that server.