Computer Update on the Horizon: All Employees Will Need to Back up Their Data!

Computer UpdateThere’s a new computer image for all ACPS staff! DART is conducting a teacher and staff computer refresh. During this refresh, DART will update your computer operating system (Windows 10 or Apple OSX) and other software on your computer to more current supported versions. This is to provide uniformity in the way that you interact with your computer as well as how DART can support you. Having the same operating system and software as your peers as well as the students will allow everyone to collaborate much easier. This image is the same one the students will have for 2017-18 and ensures software licensing compliance throughout the school division.

The advantages of having an updated operating system on your computer will allow for more software to be available to download and run appropriately and safely on your computer. Some software manufactures won’t allow their software to run on older operating systems. Up-to-date software and operating systems provide the best protection against security threats like computer viruses and even against some forms of hacking.

How (and when) will this update happen?

Teachers and staff will be given two timeframes to have their computer updated if they are not on this year’s replacement cycle. The first option will be to setup an appointment with your school’s CSS to have your computer updated before the end of the school year. The second option will be to turn in your computer to your CSS your last working day before leaving for summer break. Your computer would be imaged and available for pickup within a few weeks, or when you return to work the following school year.

When the update process happens, everything will be deleted from your current computer’s image, including all of your documents, pictures, movies, bookmarks, etc. You will need to ensure that you have backed up your data from your laptop. With the lengthy amount of time it sometimes takes to back up the data and move the data to your refreshed computer, it isn’t feasible for your CSS to back up your data.

How do you back up your data that you don’t want to lose?

You can choose to back up your files any way that will work for you. View the supported and recommended backup procedures from DART »

If you have questions about this process or would like to make an appointment to get your computer updated, please contact your CSS. If you need further assistance backing up your data or have other questions, please contact your LTI or CSS.