Online BackupFor PC, Laptops & Macs
Online backup for PCs - join three million others in using the world's most trusted online backup service for PCs and laptops.
- What software do you use for your PC backup solution?
- We have a range of different software available to us because each user is different. However, the software we supply will work with all PC and Mac operating systems and is trusted by some of the world's leading companies including Google, Amazon, Cisco, Time Warner, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Boeing, Visa, Grant Thornton, Philips, and many, many more.
- What level of support can I expect?
- This is where we add value. Not only do we supply world-leading technology but we support it with industry-leading technical support and customer service. All our support guys are based in our head offices in Bath and are available 24/7 with free telephone, email and remote log-in facilities. Backup Direct see excellence in customer service as key to business growth which is why we implement service metrics like Net Promoter Score to ensure we're doing the right thing by our customers.
- How often can I do a backup?
- As often as you want. After the software install, a user can define specific dates and times that they wish to complete a backup in. The process after that is automatic, requiring no more user interaction, unless you want to change your scheduling.
- What files are being backed up?
- The files that get backed up are defined by you in your backup schedule. It could be that you just want to backup your My Documents folder, or another specific directory, but you define what files to backup and which to exclude.
- How do I know that the backups are taking place?
- You can see whether your backups are working properly through your agent interface. This shows exactly what data has been backed up to and is being stored in the data vaults. We also provide regular reporting and health checks for all our customers to notify them of any problems with their account.
- Are there any files that can’t be backed up?
- If the file is supported by the operating system it's running on, it can be backed up.
- How are files deleted from storage?
- File management is automatic. We maintain the following data retention settings on our Data Centres for Service Customers: 1) Note that the latest copy of all your files is always retained. 2) Files that have been deleted from your system will be deleted from the Data Centres 30 days later. 3) Files that you backed up then de-selected from your backup set will be deleted after 7 days. 4) Files of accounts that have been cancelled are deleted 30 days after cancellation.
- Where will my data be stored?
- Your data resides encrypted in two geographically separate tier-4 data vaults. They are both located in EU cities and monitored 24/7.
- What is an Agent?
- Agent is just another term for the piece of backup software installed on your computer. It provides the interface for defining backup rules and runs transparently in the background with minimal disruption to the user.
- How long does a backup take?
- It depends on the amount of data being backed-up and the speed of your internet connection. For a typical ADSL connection, 10MB of data will take approximately 5 minutes to backup. Backup times can be improved by scheduling them to take place at off-peak times and by closing non-essential applications.
- Can files be retained for longer than 90 days?
- The latest copy of a file is retained indefinitely. Older versions of the data are kept for 90 days, or until the 11th version overwrites the earliest one, whichever comes sooner.
- Can I select a whole folder or drive to be backed up?
- Yes, you can select a whole folder to be backed up, this is much quicker than individually backing up files within a folder.
- How do I retrieve my backed up files?
- There are four ways to retrieve files: 1) Download it through your software interface back onto your computer. 2) Request a DVD return with your data stored on it (there is an additional charge for this, but this is often covered by insurance policies). 3) Use MyRoam™, a Web-based application through which you can access your backed up files from any computer. 4) Through any account that you have been given the password to and have been granted sharing permissions.
- Can I choose to do a manual backup in addition to the automatic backups?
- Yes, in addition to the automatic backups you can perform a manual backup of your data at any time. This is particularly useful when you have important documents that you wish to safeguard immediately.
- What happens if the computer is not connected to the internet when an automatic backup is due?
- If a backup is due but the computer is offline, the software will automatically backup next time it is connected to the internet. Additionally, there is an option to instruct the software to backup immediately on connection if there has been no backup for a specified amount of time.
- Will the Agent slowdown/interfere with my computer?
- No, the agent runs silently in the background of your computer and only performs backups during user-specified periods or when it’s instructed to. Agents assume the lowest priority on the local computer to minimize impact on computing resources.
- What if my data is intercepted whilst transferring?
- All data sent between your computer and our data centres is encrypted using 128 bit AES encryption algorithms, similar to those used in online banking systems. During transition it is also sent using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) standards. For a file to be viewed properly it needs to be decoded, which is only possible with possession of the user encryption key.
- How can I retrieve files if the computer has a system crash?
- If you experience a system crash or replace your computer's hard drive, you might have to reinstall the Agent software and configure it to your existing Agent account. This can be done by downloading the agent off of this website. Alternatively, the files and data can be retrieved to another computer using MyRoam™.
- Do I have to be there when the backup takes place?
- No, as long as the computer is left switched on and connected to the internet, the software will continue to backup at the specified times automatically.
- Why does the first backup take so long?
- During the first backup, all selected files must be transferred to the data centres. During subsequent backups, only changes to the selected files are transferred which takes a much shorter period of time.
- Can I backup using a dial-up modem?
- Yes, although we advise that a broadband connection is more suitable when backing up large amounts of data.
- I have a firewall in place; will I still be able to backup?
- Yes, the software requests firewall settings as part of the product registration. Call our support team on 0800 0789 438 for more information regarding firewalls and backing up. Note that for the vast majority of firewalls, you simply need to 'allow' our software to connect to the internet.
- Can I retrieve files from an account belonging to a different person or computer?
- There is the option to allow other account-holders full or partial access to your backed up files. All they need to do is give you their account number.
- Can I retrieve older versions of a file?
- The data centres hold up to 10 backups for 90 days, all of which can be retrieved at any point during this period. Additionally, the most recent version of the file is retained indefinitely.
- Do I have to restore files individually if my whole system crashes?
- No, there is a capability available called "Heal®" which enables you to restore your computer’s files and Windows registry settings using the data backed up during previous backups. Heal® is different from a standard retrieval in that you use it to recover your system (for example, following a crash or corrupt system) instead of simply retrieving one or more specific files at a time.
- How many PCs can I have linked to one account?
- As many as you want, although each PC will be assigned its own account number. This helps identify where the data backed up has come from and where to recover it to. You can also define how much backup capacity each computer on the account has.
- Do I have to retrieve my files via the internet?
- It is the quickest way to recover files but there are other options available. You can also request that a DVD with all you data included on it be sent to you via courier post.
- What if I change my computer?
- The Agent software can be installed on the new computer and then configured to use the existing agent account number. If the new computer uses a different operating system, however, you might need support because files are not necessarily restored in the same way. If this is the case, call 0800 0789 438 for more information.
- Can I choose how often my data is automatically backed up?
- Yes, there is an option that allows you to specify a regular period during which the software will automatically backup. This can be anywhere between multiple times a day or once a week.
- Are there any hidden costs involved?
- The only extra charge you may incur is if you want a CD/DVD of your backed up data sent to you when a disaster strikes. You may need to request this if you cannot afford to wait for large amounts of data to be retrieved over your internet connection. The cost of this is usually covered by your insurance policy.
- What is the maximum amount of data that I can backup?
- Our solutions allow you to backup anything up to 1TB of data - but you can of course split your data protection across multiple accounts.
- What are the main benefits of online backup?
- Take a look at the Detail tab on this service page.
- What if I have multiple users?
- Our PC backup solution is fully scalable and perfectly suited to companies with multiple users. All PCs using the software can be centrally controlled from a web-based control panel called Support Centre, from where specific backup rules can be set for all users or customized for individuals. The administrator will then maintain control over reporting.
- Can I have my data deleted from your vaults?
- If you close your account, data is automatically deleted from our vaults after 30 days. Additionally, if a file is deleted from your system, it is deleted from our vaults 30 days later. If a file is manually deselected from the backup set, it is deleted from our vaults after 7 days.
- Can you help me select which data to backup?
- Our Service Team will help you in whatever way you need them. We have extensive experience in what files are required for which business applications as well as where normal files are backed up. Additionally, you can refer to our 'Common File Types' web page that has many of the main applications and their associated files listed.
- Can you backup Outlook and or email?
- Yes. You can backup all email files and folders, even whilst the email system is open and running.
- Where do I find my Outlook files?
- Microsoft Outlook comes in two forms: Outlook and Outlook Express - it is important that you know which version of Outlook you want to backup. If you are using Microsoft Outlook, it is likely that your data is contained within a file called a .pst file. The location of these files varies depending upon the version of Windows and Outlook that you are running. For more detailed information call our Service Team on 0800 0789 438.
- Which Operating Systems are supported by your PC backup?
- We have backup solutions that backup Windows, MAC OS X, and various UNIX operating systems, including Solaris and Linux.
- Do you support Sage, QuickBooks and TAS, etc
- Yes, we have a solution that backs up Sage, QuickBooks, TAS and various other book-keeping and accounting tools. Other software packages are also supported.
