Most Popular Questions
Q1: How easy is TOTALcomputerbackup to use?
Q2: Can anyone else see or access my data?
Q3: I have several computers, can I back them all up using a single TOTALcomputerbackup account?
Q4: How long will it take to back up my files?
Q5: How can I check the amount of data I need to back up?
Q6: Why is TOTALcomputerbackup better than using my CD, DVD or tape drive?
Q7: Will TOTALcomputerbackup work through my Firewall?
Q1: How easy is TOTALcomputerbackup to use?
A: Installing the TOTALcomputerbackup software is very simple and once you have registered and downloaded
the software just follow the installation wizards, which will guide you quickly through the setup process.
When TOTALcomputerbackup is set up you just need to select the files you wish to backup, and schedule the time and how often this will be done (every day, every week etc) and that's it. From now on TOTALcomputerbackup will automatically backup your chosen files at the time you have chosen.
View our comprehensive support information which is freely available on our website at here
Q2: Can anyone else see or access my data?
A: The security of your information is of utmost importance to us
and for this reason we use the highest levels of encryption to protect your files.
Prior to upload all your files are encrypted for secure transit, and once they arrive on our
servers they are further encrypted using 448-bit Blowfish technology, which is one of the
most sophisticated algorithms available and endorsed by the military.
Only you have the encryption key, hence no one at TOTALcomputerbackup or anywhere else can ever access or view your information - only you can.
In addition to the security algorithms we have in place, information is stored in 3 separate data centres which are all commercially as well as geographically independent of each other.
Q3: I have several computers, can I back them all up using a single TOTALcomputerbackup account?
A: Yes. Once you have registered for a TOTALcomputerbackup account you can install the software on up to 5 machines FREE of charge and
back up all the information from them using the single account.
For example: if you have a PC and a laptop, once you have set up your account simply install the software onto the second machine, configure the account and you can back this up too. The same applies if you run a small office with 4 or 5 pc's that are not networked, just install TOTALcomputerbackup onto each computer, configure the software and they can all be backed up under the single account.
Full instructions on how to do this can be found on our support pages.
Please bear in mind that although we will not charge you for 5 separate accounts you will be required to pay for any extra storage that's required (if your account upgrades).
Q4: How long will it take to back up my files?
A: The time taken to backup files is dependent on your Internet connection
(i.e broadband will be quicker than 56k dial up) and the amount of data
selected for backup.
The first time you backup your data will generally take considerably longer than subsequent backup times, as it is uploading all your selected information to our servers.
Once your files have been uploaded, the system knows only to transfer either new or changed files, reducing subsequent backups to just minutes in most cases.
Please bear in mind that you can pause backups at any time and also continue to work or use the Internet whilst backing up.
Q5: How can I check the amount of data I need to back up?
A: In order to do check how much data you have to back up,
you need to know where it is on your computer. Many
people save their work to their 'My Documents' folder.
In this example, you would:
1. Double click on the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop
2. Double click the local disk ('C' Drive)
3. Select 'My Documents' folder (this may be within the 'Documents & Settings folder) by moving the cursor over it
4. Right click on your mouse and go down to 'properties'
5. Left click on 'properties' to see how many megabytes of data
are in the folder.
Notes:
a) All computers are set up differently, so you may need to
search a little bit to find the folder/s you require.
b) Another tip is to open a document you have been working on, right click on 'File' on the top left hand corner, scroll down to 'Properties' and left click on this. In the 'general' tab it will display the folder this document has been saved to: i.e - C:\MyDocuments\Work\Insurance Letter
This tells you the document called 'Insurance Letter' is in a folder called 'Work' which is contained in the 'My Documents' directory on your 'C' drive.
Important: TOTALcomputerbackup compresses your files to make them smaller, so if you have 800mb of word documents and spreadsheets in your My Documents folder, this may reduce to less than half this amount. Digital images do not compress very well, so if you have 200mb of photographs, they will not reduce to much less than this.
Q6: Why is TOTALcomputerbackup better than using my CD, DVD or tape drive?
A: Many computers come equipped with a CD or DVD drive, which can be used to make
backup copies of your data. These are manual processes and as such involve
time and effort; and as a consequence it may often be neglected!
a) Someone has to remember to carry out the backup, check that it did so successfully and then store the media safely off-site.
How often do you do this?
b) Most CD's store around 650 mb of data, so if you have 4000mb to save, you will require over 6 cd's every time - imagine how long this might take?
c) Tape and disk drives can give a false sense of security, as the media they use are prone to wear and tear (tapes warp, cd's get scratched), so even following the necessary procedures does not guarantee that your files will be retrievable when the critical time comes to restore them.
d) If the hardware device you use becomes faulty, you will incur either repair costs or need to purchase a new device.
Online data backup solutions will save you time, effort and money. TOTALcomputerbackup provides the easiest, fastest and most secure method for you to safeguard your critical information on a daily basis. Just set it and forget it - we do the rest...
Q7: Will TOTALcomputerbackup work through my Firewall?
A: Yes, TOTALcomputerbackup should work automatically through most firewalls.
If port adjustments are required, it must allow outgoing TCP connections
to ports in the range 44400-44408 and 44450.