Frequently Asked Questions
Business Users
Backing Up Files
- How often can I do a backup?
- How can I tell what files are being backed up?
- How can I confirm backups are taking place?
- How can I view the files that were backed up?
- What can and cannot be backed up?
- What is the file retention policy?
- How do I select/deselect files in Backup View?
- How do I use "Find" to locate a particular file?
- What does this message in the log mean: "0 Files backed up"?
- How can files be deleted from storage?
- Where is my data is stored?
How often can I do a backup?
You may back up your data as often as you like, as long as your computer is turned on and connected to the Internet. The easy-to-use Unlimited Backup PCTM Backup Wizard lets you set days and times for your backup to automatically happen.
How can I tell what files are being backed up?
Your Unlimited Backup PC Agent will automatically detect and backup your data and system files that are located anywhere on your hard disk to ensure full-system backup and recovery. Data files are files that you create, such as documents, spreadsheets, and preferences that you defined in software that you use. A total of 10GB (system and data files) per individual PC account may be protected. Temporary files, Internet cache, streaming media are automatically excluded.
How can I confirm backups are taking place?
The easiest way to confirm that your backups are taking place is to check the logs. Here's how:
Open the Unlimited Backup PC software.
Click the Log tab.
Highlight the log for any session that you want and then click the View Details button (bottom of window).Each log lists every file that was marked as needing to be backed up, and ends with a summary of the backup session.
How can I view the files that were backed up?
The easiest way to determine what files were backed up is to check the logs. Here's how:
Open the Unlimited Backup PC software.
Click the Log tab.
Highlight the log for any session that you want and then click the View Details button (bottom of window).
Each log lists every file that was marked as needing to be backed up, and ends with a summary of the backup session.
We recommend that you not back up multimedia files. Their size and sheer volume would make it costly and lengthy to restore via the Internet. Although you could order a CD of your backups, it is generally cost-prohibitive, possibly costing several hundred dollars.
The Business subscription service versions of the software are not configured to recognize network drives.
What is the file retention policy?
The most recent 10 versions of each file backed up are retained on the Connected Data Centres for 90 days.
Files you delete from your computer are retained on the Data Centres for 90 days.
Files you deselect from your backup set are retained on the Data Centres for 7 days.
How do I select/deselect files in Backup View?
See the How-to video, or follow these instructions: When you click the Backup View tab, a scan of your hard disk is initiated. Upon completion, a list of files needing backup is displayed. To deselect files:
Click the box in front of a file name.
A red X will be displayed.
The file will then be removed from the backup list.
If you want to add files:
Change the display to show a directory tree that you can browse. The button for this is in the window on the left; click Explore to pick files.
To select/deselect, click the box in front of a file name. In some editions of the software, you will also be able to click on an entire folder to include/exclude everything in it.
A green check indicates the file is selected for backup, while a red X indicates the file is NOT selected for backup.
How do I use "Find" to locate a particular file?
Using the Find feature is a fast and easy way to locate a specific file. You can use Find in Backup View and Retrieve View. Simply click the magnifying glass icon at the upper right of the window, next to the question mark (the Help icon).
HINT: When entering a long file name, or one that you aren't sure of, use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard symbol. An asterisk can be inserted at any point in a file name in place of characters that you aren't sure of, or you don't want to bother typing. There's only one rule: Don't use two or more asterisks in succession; use one at a time as a placeholder.
Example 1: For a file named My Resume.doc, type *resume.doc. This tells Find to look for all files that end in resume.doc.
Example 2: For a file named Peaches and Cream.jpg, you could type P*and*.* or P*and*.jpg or Peach*.jpg
If you don't see the file that you want with your first try, click Find Next until you do find it. You can click Find Next as often as needed; it will recycle through the list no matter where your starting point is.
If you are looking for an older file and are unable to locate it, then click the Retrieve Options button (bottom of window) and select Show all versions of all files.
You cancelled the backup. Normal backups will resume without error.
You ran a second backup immediately after another backup, so there were no changed files.
Files needing backup were open. Close all files that you want backed up.
File selection method is set to Manual. You need to reset it—we recommend Automatic. You can leave it in Manual if you intend to select all the files that should be included in your backup group, but don’t forget to select the files. (Only applies to the Premium Data Backup Service plans.)
Insufficient resources on your computer, such as not enough free hard disk space, not enough available RAM, too small a page file, open files, or numerous background processes.
An outbound connection to the Internet could not be made. See Connections. Also, confirm that your connection setting in the software is correctly set for the way you connect, either Dial-Up Networking (Modem) or Direct Connection. AOL is an example of a Direct Connection because the connection is already open when you go to back up. (Connection Settings are under Options, on the menu bar.)
Backup Schedule is set to 'Backup On Connection To Network' and there were no changed files since your last backup. No action required; backups will resume normally when there are changed files.
The Unlimited Backup PC software is installed in the same folder with the files you are trying to back up. Application programs, such as the backup software, should always be installed in a folder of their own, not mingled with files from other programs.
A synchronization error occurred, in which case the details of the log would show a Diagnostic with reference to 'Base hash count.' (Contact Support via a Support Request.)
Files older than 10 versions or 90 days are deleted, but your most recent version is always kept.
Files that have been deleted from your system will be deleted from the Data Centres 90 days later.
Files that you backed up then de-selected from your backup set will be deleted after 7 days.
Where is my data is stored?
When an account is opened, it is assigned to a mirrored pair of Data Centres that are geographically separate. Since the Data Centres are identical, backups and restores can be made to or from either one of them. The software automatically handles the connection for you. The redundancy of a mirrored pair increases the security of stored data. Additionally, the Data Centres are themselves backed up. Further, duplication permits maintenance to be performed without interrupting the service.
An illustration of how Data Centres are organized can be seen in the Unlimited Backup PC software's Help file, under Contents | Welcome | Overview.
IMPORTANT: If your question is not answered in the FAQs, please complete a Support Request .
