HINTS AND TIPS

Below are a number of "quick tips" to get the most out of the service.

SETUP TIPS

  1. Where possible save the backup software to the machine you wish to backup. You can backup a mapped or networked drive but you must follow our instructions.
  2. If you receive Error messages (i.e Invalid Password, cannot connect 44400 etc) check our Trouble Shooting pages for a remedy
  3. Remember your Password, as you will need this for restoring data from us or for setting up the software again in the future.
  4. Your Username can be found on all emails the system sends you. "Please quote this on any correspondence you send us."
  5. If you need to download the backup software again (i.e onto a new machine) please contact your supplier.
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BACKUP TIPS

  1. The first backup can take a very long time. Ways to help include:
    • Back up your information at night or over a weekend.
    • Pause the backup.
    • Create multiple definitions (see below).
  2. Create multiple definitions rather than backing up all your information in one big batch. This is especially relevant if you are backing up emails and databases
  3. We recommend creating a separate definition for specific information hence you may end up with 3 or 4 definitions. For example:
    • Emails
    • My documents
    • Scanned information
    • Sage database
  4. Where possible keep definitions within 5gb in size (i.e if you have 10gb of scanned documents split this into 2 or 3 separate definitions).
  5. If you have 10's of thousands of tiny files to backup, split these into multiple backup definitions (10,000 in each).
  6. Save your information in folders and back these folders up.
  7. Selecting Folders to backup is the safest way to ensure your new information is automatically saved. When you add new files to the folders that are being backed up they will be automatically included in the next backup and when you delete any files they will be automatically omitted.

    You can back up individual files BUT this means ONLY the selected files will be saved and any new information you create WILL NOT be backed up unless you open teh backup software and specifically select them.
  8. We do not advise backing up your entire 'C' drive, Documents and Settings folder or your Program Files! Only backup critical 'data' files you could not restore if something happened to your computer.
  9. Reduce Backup Cycles for database and email definitions.
  10. Make sure all definitions are scheduled to run at different times. Even if they are just 10 minutes apart they will queue and wait until the last has finished before the next one starts.
  11. Do not run 2 backups at the same time or try to restore when you are backing up, as this will lock the system! Complete one task before carrying out the next.
  12. After every backup we send out a confirmation email. These emails show how much data you are backing up (they also provide details of your Username).
  13. We provide unlimited storage space and is fully scalable. If you require additional storage the system will automatically upgrade your account and debit the required fee from the payment card you have registered with WorldPay.
  14. If the backup software stops backing up:
    • Reboot your machine
    • Check your Client Log (for error messages)
    • Checkout the error messages in our Trouble Shooting pages

YOUR MACHINE MUST BE SWITCHED ON AND HAVE A LIVE INTERNET CONNECTION IN ORDER TO BACKUP

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LAPTOP TIPS

First backups take the longest time and sometimes laptops either go into 'sleep mode' or may be closed down before the backup has completed. BOTH OF THESE WILL AFFECT YOUR BACKUP!

  1. Ensure your laptop is left on until the first backup has completed (sleep mode/hibernate can be disabled via the power settings).
  2. Do not turn off your laptop midway through a backup. If you need to close down your machine you should 'pause' the backup before doing this.
  3. Once your initial backups have been completed incremental backups are very quick, however laptops are often switched off at the time a backup is scheduled to run. If this is the case your backup/s will run the next time the laptop is switched on and connects to the Internet.
  4. If you are backing up Outlook on your laptop and your machine is usually switched off at the time of backup, this may cause a problem! The next time your laptop is turned on the backup will run BUT if at the same time you open Outlook to check your emails this will cause a conflict and your backup will fail (Outlook needs to be closed whilst we back it up).

    5. REMEDY: We recommend that laptop users turn of the Outlook definition from backing up automatically and back it up manually instead.

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MISCELLANEOUS TIPS:

  1. Mapped or Networked drives must be backed up following our instructions here.
  2. Email Programs (Outlook/Express) must be backed up following our instructions.
  3. If you are not receiving emails from us please check your Spam Filter.
  4. You can restore files to any computer with the backup software installed on it.
  5. If you delete a definition from your software REMEMBER to also delete the 'data' from our servers if you no longer wish to keep it stored, otherwise you will pay for extra storage that is not required.
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