| |
Common,
Frequently Asked Questions...
I have a new desktop icon that says 'ZoomBackup Sign In'. What does this do?
This icon link will allow you
to access and login to your ZoomBackup.com™
Online web account. By logging in
online, you will be able to view all of your
backed up files
and data, restore files and folders, view and
manage all your account information, billing,
past invoices, and you can even setup
additional PC's here. Your Online web
account also provides you extensive file
sharing and email attachment features.
Your personalized Online web account can be
accessed and logged into from any PC at any
time. The Online web account requires
the same username and password you created
during registration.
Your Online web account can also be accessed
at this address,
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login,
or from the 'customer login' button on the main
home page.
Back to top
I have a new system tray icon that looks like a diamond. What does this do?
This system tray icon
 ,
is the ZoomBackup.com™ Windows Backup Client
Application which is displayed at the bottom
right-hand corner of the screen. When you see this icon
there, you know that your data is protected
and backing up all the time. This Client
Application actually does the backing up, and
continuously monitors your system for new or
modified files. If you
'double click' on this icon, you can access
the application's 'status viewer' screen which will show you
the current status and backup activity.
Here, you may also restore files, modify settings, and modify which
files and folders are being backed up. If
you 'right click' on the icon, you also have
the option to restore files and folders. Back to top
How
secure is my data?
Maximum level. All data being backed up is
compressed and encrypted before leaving your
PC. Your data is constantly protected using
a military grade 448-bit Blowfish Encryption
system. Data is stored at a 'highly
secure' primary data center in this
encrypted form. Authentication traffic between
your PC and the data center is also encrypted.
Restores via the web interface are protected
using encryption. ZoomBackup.com™ uses only
the best encryption technology available.
At no time will usernames,
passwords or data be sent out over the
Internet in unencrypted form.
Click here
to get a more detailed explanation of our
security system.
Back to top
Can anyone else access
my data?
No. Only you have your username and password.
Not even the ZoomBackup.com staff have
access to your data or account information.
Passwords are encrypted so you are the only
one with access to your password. Only the
password and account holder has access to
change their password. At no time will
usernames, passwords or data be sent out over
the Internet in unencrypted form.
Click here
to get a more detailed explanation of our
security system.
Back to top
Where is my data kept?
Your data is kept in a state-of-the-art data
center alongside the systems of several
major telephone
and communications companies. This highly
secure physical infrastructure includes several
levels of access control and round-the-clock
security officers. Your data is stored at
the ZoomBackup.com™ data center and only you have
access. All data stored at the data center
and any communication with the data center
is bi-directionally encrypted. To
securely view all your data, simply login to
your Online web account at,
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login
. Back to top
How can I determine how much data I have?
The first method is to allow ZoomBackup.com™ to
intelligently find and backup your critical
data for you. Remember, you have a
30-day free trial, and you can remove any
data backed up at any time. Once completed, you can
login to you Online web account at
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login,
and view the total. The total appears
right on your start page after you login.
You can always add or remove folders at any
time.
If you prefer to know this
information ahead of time, or if you'd like to
get a more thorough analysis of how all your
data is allocated, we have a tool that will analyze your system directly. To use
this tool, follow these steps:
-
Click here to
download and launch the usage tool
- When prompted, chose
'open', 'run', or 'run from here'.
- Wait several seconds for
the tool to download and launch.
- If you are asked a
security question, you may select 'yes' or
'run' to execute.
- Click the 'file' menu
- Choose 'Select Directory'
- Find and Click on 'My
Documents'
- Click OK
Now you will see a complete
listing of all your data, the total size at
the top, and the size of each folder.
This tool can be used to analyze any folder on
your PC. Simply close the tool when
finished.
Back to top
Will the backup work
through my firewall?
Yes. The Backup Client
application was designed
to be firewall friendly. If the firewall is
configured to allow outgoing web traffic on
ports 80 and 443 (which are required for web
browsers to function), the Backup Client
application will
function correctly. In other words, if you
can browse the internet, then the backup will
work also. This technology will also
allow you to roam mobile with your PC
connecting from any Wi-Fi location, airport,
hotel and even mobile data cards. The
real-time backup's will happen anywhere and at
any time, but will still wait for you to stop
using your PC. Back to top
Is there an online web
service?
You have both a Windows backup
client application and
an online web account. The Windows
backup client
application provides the backup and simple restore functions
and is visible using this system tray icon,
.
The Online Web account
provides more powerful restore options and
allows you to manage your online data store as
well as view and manage your account
information.
The online web account also provides advanced
collaboration features such as sharing files
and folders with colleagues, mailing of very
large attachments and the ability to access
your data from anywhere on the Internet.
Back to top
Do backups have versioning?
Yes. You can configure the number of file
versions you wish to keep as well as the minimum
amount of time between new versions. Through
the web portal interface, you can restore
any available version of the file. Those versions
may cover a month or two year's worth of changes.
It all depends on how you configure the backup.
Back to top
Do versions take up a
lot of storage space?
Not really. Before we backup a new version
of a file, we compare it to the previous version
and only backup the data that changed. So
if you have a 50Mb mail file, and then receive
10Kb worth of new messages, we only backup
the 10Kb that changed. We call this "byte-level
differencing". Also, when new
versions of the file are backed up and
maintained, each version is also stored in a
way where only the changes actually take up
more space. We don't store 'redundant'
data. Back to top
Are backups scheduled?
No. Backups are continuous rather than scheduled.
You never have to worry about configuring
confusing schedules with Zoombackup.com.
There are no set backup windows either. The Backup Client application continuously monitors your
hard drive while you work. When it notices
a file that has changed (within set parameters),
it backs it up immediately, but generally
waits until you stop using your PC.
This is real-time data backup protection. Back to top
Will it slow down my
PC?
No. The Backup Client
application has a feature that suspends
the backup when the PC is in use. When you
use the keyboard or mouse, ZoomBackup.com™
pauses. When you stop to answer the phone,
for example, backup continues.
And since
we backup the files as they change and only
the changed data, the amount of data being
sent through your Internet connection is kept
to a minimum. Plus, the data is compressed
too. Most people can't tell a backup is even in
progress. Back to top
What if the backup gets
interrupted?
Not a problem. Backups stop and resume automatically.
If you unplug your laptop halfway through
backup of a large file, the backup continues
where it left off when you plug it back in,
automatically. We call this "Checkpoint and
Restart technology". This is especially useful
during the initial backup, which may take
some additional time to complete. This
is also ideal for mobile and roaming users.
Start and stop your PC at any time, queued
backups will always continue later. Back to top
What if I have dial-up
Internet?
This is ok. Because backups are compressed,
incremental and interruptible, they work quite
well on a dial-up connection. If you have
a lot of data, you may find that your initial
backup takes a bit longer than on a broadband
connection. Rest assured that it will get
done. Once the initial backup is done, only
individual file changes have to get transferred.
So the amount of data going out through your
modem is small over time. Also, we
only transfer data when you are not using your
PC. This is a default setting. So,
our Backup Client Application will not slow
your connection down in any way. Back to top
My photos did not backup, why?
The Windows Backup Client
Application finds most of your important data
automatically when it installs. Your 'My
Pictures' folder is NOT included by default,
however you may easily add this folder to the backup, and all your photos will be backed
up. It is important to note that photos
are considerably larger than normal data
files, and will take up more disk space,
significantly increasing your online usage.
If photo backup is important
to you, then you should select this folder. simply 'double click' on the system
tray icon,
,
displayed at the bottom right-hand corner of
the screen, which will bring up the status
viewer. Then click on the 'Options'
menu. Then click on the 'folders' tab.
Here, you can expand the folder list until you
see the "My Pictures" folder. There you
can select it with the check mark. For
more detailed instructions from the help menu on how to select
additional folders,
click here.
And see next question below.
Back to top
How do I select other files and folders for backup?
The Windows Backup Client
Application finds most of your important data
automatically when it installs. However,
if you'd like to select additional files and
folders, simply 'double click' on the system
tray icon,
,
displayed at the bottom right-hand corner of
the screen, which will bring up the status
viewer. Then click on the 'Options'
menu. Then click on the 'folders' tab.
Here, you can expand the folders allowing you
to select or de-select folders which you
either, do want backed up, or that you don't
want backed up. For
more detailed instructions from the help menu on how to select
additional folders,
click here.
Back to top
What folders should I
backup?
When you install the software, it will automatically
locate popular folders like 'My Documents',
'Desktop', 'Favorites', 'Outlook', etc. You
have the ability to choose your own selections
and change them at any time. For
instructions on how to select additional
folders,
click here.
We recommend
you only backup data files. The system will
automatically exclude Program and Operating
System files. These generally don't need to
be backed up as you can easily reinstall them
from the original media. Back to top
Can I backup more than
one PC?
Yes. We do not charge for the number of PCs
you back up. You only pay based on your storage
plan. Online data is stored in separate
volumes that are sorted by PC name and drive
letter. If you have a similar file with the
same name on more than one PC, there is no
danger of the files overwriting each other.
Everything is kept separate and organized.
To setup additional PC's for
backup, simply go to the second system, open
your browser and login to your ZoomBackup.com™
online web account at
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login,
Click on the 'download' menu and then install
the backup client application. Repeat
this for as many PC's as you need.
Back to top
What operating systems
are supported?
The Backup Client application will run on any version
of Microsoft Windows from as old as Windows
95 up to Windows XP and Windows Vista even.
Mac's and Apple systems can run the client using
Windows emulation software, such as Virtual
PC, or they can use a PC to do the backup
through a mapped drive letter. Back to top
How easy is it to restore
a file?
Very easy. You just 'right click' the ZoomBackup.com™
system tray icon,
,
displayed at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen,
select 'Restore', find the file in the tree
and then right click again 'Restore'. That's it.
To retrieve a previous version of a file,
login to your ZoomBackup.com™ online web
account at
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login;
select 'Online Storage', find the file in
the tree; click on the file link, then click
the "Download" button. That's it.
Back to top
How does file-sharing
work?
Once your data has been backed up, you have
the ability to share selected portions of
it with whomever you want. You can share individual
files or folders.
In the 'Online Storage'
section of your Online Web Account, you can
mark a file as 'Sharable', and assign it a
separate password. The system will give it
a unique URL for download and even send an
email to the recipient with a link. The system
maintains a log of who downloaded it and when.
Sharing of folders is similar. Back to top
Why does this help me
with very large email attachments?
If you need to send a large file to someone,
but his or her email will not allow large
attachments, use the file-sharing feature
of your online web account. Mark it as 'Sharable'
and email the recipient a link to the file.
They simply click the link to download the
attachment. Back to top
The install is asking me to 'modify' or 'remove'?
You may see this screen first
during the backup client application install if you already have
a previous copy of ZoomBackup.com™ installed on
your PC. Simply click to 'remove' the
current copy, then 'download' and 'run' the
install again. Note that this will only remove the backup client application
explicitly, it wont affect any backed up data, or your account status. Don't forget to enter
your exact username and password when
prompted. Back to top
How do I get technical support?
Simply access our 'contact us'
online form page at
https://www.zoombackup.com/contactus.html. Fill
out the support inquiry form and your request
will be entered directly into our system.
Your inquiry will be responded to within 24
hours. For paid PREMIUM* support customers,
you may also dial into our 800 number at 800-418-4171
ext. 3. Back to top
How does the billing work?
You are billed once each month. This charge is made to your
credit or debit card which you used when you registered. The invoice is emailed to you, and
it is available to view when you login online. Your billing package plan is determined by
calculating the average daily usage from all PC's in your account over the past 30 days.
You are billed only according to the published pricing service plan packages.
Click on the pricing page for more details.
Back to top
Will the backup work if I roam or go mobile with my PC?
Yes. The backup client
application will allow you to roam mobile with
your PC automatically connecting from any Wi-Fi location, airport,
hotel and even mobile data cards. The
real-time backup's will happen anywhere and at
any time, but will still wait for you to stop
using your PC. You will not have to
configure anything, the system is designed to
operate in the background unattended.
Your data will always be protected, no matter
where you are. Back to top
How do I remove data that's already been backed up?
There are two ways. The
first one is to login to your online web
account at
http://mydata.zoombackup.com/login. When you navigate through your
folders and files you will see checkboxes next
to each file and folder. At the bottom
of the screen is a 'delete' button.
Simply checkbox any folder or file you wish to
remove, then click the 'delete' button.
The second method is more
comprehensive. You use the "Clean Up"
menu option located in the Backup Client
application. This option will walk you
through a wizard which will literally clean up
all old or unselected data that resides on the ZoomBackup.com servers. Clean Up will
ensure that the data which exists on the
backup servers is in "sync" with what you have
selected in the folder selections settings.
It will also help ensure that the server data
is in "sync" with what's on your PC. It
is important to be careful with this menu
option as it will remove backed up data
from the server. Please be sure you
truly no longer need that data backed up
before performing this operation.
Back to top
I have some files that have not backed up yet. Why?
It is possible for some
files to be skipped during backup.
These files are probably either 'in use', or
are considered 'open' files. Files get
this status when an application is running
that is currently writing to the file.
For this reason, it is important that you
properly shut your applications down and
close them at least once a day.
Closing all applications will also close all
files. This is particularly important
for Outlook and Outlook Express users.
This will not only ensure that your email is
backed up, but it will also help prevent
email database file corruption over the long
term. It's good practice anyway.
Back to top
I didn't realize my Outlook email files were so large?
This can happen over time.
You probably are the type that doesn't
delete your messages, and you keep all your
file attachments in your messages.
Mostly this problem has to do with very
large attachments which you have received
over time, and that have accumulated without
you realizing. Cleaning up these
"rogue" attachments can have a massive
effect on the total size of your email
files. Most emails are around 10 to 15
KB in size. But just one email with a
video file attachment can be as large as 5
to 10 MB!
If you feel the need to
reduce your email storage, we recommend that
you go through your emails by sorting all
your messages by "size". (See Outlook
help files for instructions). Or, go
back and delete some of that email you don't
need from 5 years ago.
Back to top
My backup size is larger than I expected. How do I reduce the total amount of data being backed up?
One method is to simply
review what data you actually have in your
'My Documents' folder. Then simply
uncheck the sub-folders which you do not
want included in the backup. To do a
quick analysis of the data you have in 'My
Documents' and every sub-folder therein,
refer to the question,
How can I
determine how much data I have?
To learn more about
how to select and de-select folders, refer
to the question,
How do I select/de-select other files and folders for backup?
Once you have done those
steps, then you can run the 'Clean Up"
wizard to clean up the unwanted data on the
backup servers. To do this, refer to
the question,
How do I remove data that's already been backed up?
Back to top
I've deleted a file on my PC, but the file still shows up online?
Yes, this is designed that
way. ZoomBackup.com is a reliable
backup system and we never delete or remove
any of your data, ever; only you can.
If you accidentally deleted a file without
realizing, you'll be happy to know that the
file will still be online, and stored safely
in your ZoomBackup.com account waiting for
you to retrieve once you realize what
happened. We call this "aged" data.
Data that is backed up, but no longer on
your PC. We can't really delete the
data because what if we removed it too soon,
and you still needed that data?
Therefore, we have to leave this operation
up to you.
All your "aged" data can,
however, be easily removed. Simply run
the "Clean Up" Wizard. To learn more about
this, refer to the question,
How do I remove data that's already been backed up?
Back to top
To access the help menu and product
documentation, click here.
|
