Questions about backing up and setting up backup sets
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Q: Can I run out of storage space?
A. No,
You will never run out of online data storage space. If you are using more than the online storage space included in your backup plan, you will receive an email notification letting you know that the online backup storage space has been exceeded. You will be able to continue to backup and use the service uninterrupted. This gives you the opportunity to delete files that no longer need backing up or to purchase additional online data storage space. If you are still over the purchased amount at the time of your next billing cycle, your account will be upgraded to the next available plan.
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Q: Can I manually start a backup?
A. Yes,
you can manually start any of your backup sets at any time.
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Q: How long will my backups take?
A. Please keep in mind that most broadband connections, the upload speed is much slower than download speed.
The amount of time it takes to perform a backup will depend on the number and the size of the files you are backing up, and the upload speed of your Internet connection.
Your first backup may take hours or even days as all of the files contained in your backup set will be transmitted to the secure EDS servers. Subsequent backups will take a substantially shorter amount of time as only files created and/or modified since the previous backup need to be transmitted.
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Q: Why are my backups taking so long?
A. The time it takes to backup your data files, will depend on the size and number of files being backed up and the upload speed of your Internet connection. Keep in mind with most broadband connections, the upload speed is considerably slower than the download speed.
Also check to see what type of files are included in your backup sets. Ensure you have not included any unnecessary files such as temporary Internet files in your backup set. If you are backing up your Microsoft Outlook ".pst" files, keep in mind that these files can become very large and change every time you send or receive a emails. Therefore, you are transmitting these large files on every backup.
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Q: What types of files should I backup?
A. We recommend that you back up your important and critical, irreplacable data files such as Word and Excel documents, financial information and key databases as well as important multimedia files such as personal pictures. If you are using Microsoft Outlook, you may want to backup your emails, contacts and calendar by including your ".pst" file in one of your backup sets.
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Q: What types of files should I not backup?
A. We recommend that you do not backup Microsoft Windows system files, applications, and temporary files including temporary Internet files. The Efficient Data Storage software contains a feature that allows you to automatically exclude certain files from all of your backup sets.
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Q: How much will my files compress?
A. All files that is backed up will be compressed. The amount of compression depends on the type of file selected for backup. Files such as Microsoft Word and Excel documents will often be compressed as much as 4:1 while other files such as picture and audio files will compress very little.
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Q: Can I setup multiple backup sets to run at the same time?
A. No, you can setup multiple backup sets to run at the different times. Please ensure that the backup sets do not overlap. A second backup set will not start if another backup set is already in progress.
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Q: What happens if a backup is interrupted while it is in progress?
A. If a backup is interrupted because it was cancelled or because the Internet connection was lost, all of the files that had been backed up before the backup ended will be available to be restored. The backup will continue where it left off during your next scheduled backup or, if you manually begin a backup.
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Q: Can I use my computer while a backup is in progress?
A. Yes.
You can use your computer normally, including accessing the Internet while a backup is in progress. Backups should not significantly affect your system's performance.
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Q: Will a backup occur if my computer is not on?
A. No.
Your computer must be on in order for a backup to occur. In addition, certain systems, especially laptop computers have varied sleep, hibernate and power save modes. Depending on the configuration of your system, Efficient Data Storage may or may not work properly if your computer goes into sleep, hibernate or power-save modes. Please check to make sure that automated backups occur if your computer enters such a mode. If automated backups do not occur, you may have to change the mode settings or turn the feature off.
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Q: Will a backup occur if my computer is in sleep, hibernate or power save mode?
A. Depending on the configuration of your system, Efficient Data Storage may or may not work properly if your computer goes into sleep, hibernate or power-save modes. Please check to make sure that automated backups occur if your computer enters such a mode. If automated backups do not occur, you may have to change the mode settings or turn the feature off.
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Q: Will a backup occur if my screen is locked or if I am not logged in?
A. Yes.
You do not need to be logged into your computer for a backup to occur. You may also lock your screen.
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Q: Can I backup a mapped network drive?
A. Yes,
the Efficient Data Storage software supports the backup of mapped drives.
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