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No single copy of data is safe. If it's valuable to you, have copies in more than one location.

• Sold state and spinning disks do fail, and with some regularity.
• Devices do get stolen.
• Software does fail, including operating systems. Often helped along by malware.

You must take responsibility to avert lost data. Ensure there is a back up of any valuable data you are responsible for. Having the only copy of something you care about reside on just your laptop is considered irresponsible.

• Ask your research group if they have a file share.
  • Many groups provide this service since since that's affords a great location to place copies of your precious research-related files.
• Otherwise, automate your backups of unique, valuable data which resides only on your laptop to another location.
  • Periodically verify your backup automation is working as you intend. Do this so it's been done before you need to recover any data.

• See below for related tips.

What is your device's problem?

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• We expect this process to make it clearer to you regarding when we will focus on your personal device's problem, and with more certainty.
• For ChemIT, this process will:
  • Limit our involvement with problems related to personal devices to ensure we are not over-investing in this specific area of service.
  • This process will protect ChemIT when we doing other work so that this specific kind of walk-in work doesn’t unexpectedly shift our focus beyond 10 minutes.

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Backup information for those using personal devices

• Sold state and spinning disks do fail, and with some regularity.
• Devices do get stolen.
• Software does fail, including operating systems. Often helped along by malware.

You must take responsibility to avert lost data. Ensure there is a back up of any valuable data you are responsible for. You can do this! Note that having the only copy of something you care about reside on just your laptop is considered by many to be irresponsible.

• Ask your research group if they have a file share.
  • Many groups provide this service since since that's affords a great location to place copies of your precious research-related files.
• Otherwise, automate your backups of unique, valuable data which resides only on your laptop to another location.
  • Periodically verify your backup automation is working as you intend. Do this so it's been done before you need to recover any data.