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USDV/IDV FAQ Page

Please search our FAQ for the answers to your questions. IF you can not find it, please notify Techsupport@usdatavault.com of your questions and we will update this FAQ within 24 hours.


What do I need to do when uninstalling and reinstalling a new copy of the backup client software?

If you are reinstalling the backup client software on the same computer you must first run the uninstaller tool found in your "Start Menu\Programs\USDV Backup Pro" folder. Then you must remove your OLD user profile folder. To do that, follow the below instructions for YOUR Operating System:

A. Under Windows Vista and Windows 7:

1. First open "My Computer" (See: Start Menu > Computer)
2. Click "Organize" and then choose "Folder and Search Options"
3. Select the tab labeled "View"
4. Under "Hidden Files and Folders" select "Show hidden files and folders"
5. Click "Apply" then "OK"
6. Now navigate to "C:/ProgramData" and delete the folder labeled "BackupClient"
7. Lastly, navigate to the "TasksSchedule" folder and delete "BackupTasks"
8. You may now reinstall the backup client software..
9. To download the latest version of the software CLICK HERE.
(NOTE: BE CERTAIN TO TAKE DOWN THE PROPER VERSION AS OTHERS WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY ON YOUR ACCOUNT!

B. Under Windows XP:

1. First, open "My Computer" (See: Start Menu > Computer)
2. Click "Tools" and then "Folder Options"
3. Select the tab labeled "View"
4. Under "Hidden Files and Folders" select "Show hidden files and folders"
5. Click "Apply" then "OK"
6. Now navigate to "C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data" and delete the folder labeled "BackupClient"
7. Lastly, navigate to the "TasksSchedule" folder and delete "BackupTasks"
8. You may now reinstall the backup client software.
9. To download the latest version of the software CLICK HERE.
(NOTE: BE CERTAIN TO TAKE DOWN THE PROPER VERSION AS OTHERS WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY ON YOUR ACCOUNT!


To perform this on a MAC, please contact Tech Support for assistance.

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Why do I see Files NOT being backed up from my Mail Client when the SSB backup is running?

Examples:
C:/Users/Tech/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Mail/edb.log Reason: File locked
C:/Users/Tech/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Mail/edbtmp.log Reason: File locked
C:/Users/Tech/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Mail/tmp.edb Reason: File locked
C:/Users/Tech/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Mail/WindowsMail.MSMessageStore Reason: File locked

When running the backup client software, Windows Mail, Outlook 2003/2007 and Windows Live Mail MUST be closed for a full backup of all "IN USE" system files. If they are not backed up while you have your Client open when working on the machine, not to worry. They WILL be backed up the next time your client connects and your Mail Client is closed. Also, there IS a copy online that you can restore from should you need to do that.

*Another way around this is to install a FREE plug-in called "OFM" or "Open File Manager". Please CLICK HERE to find this Plug-in installer.

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What is a Thin Exchange Backup?

A Thin Exchange Backup is a more efficient way to backup MS Exchange. A Thin Exchange backup will only back up the changes since the last full database backup. At restore time, the ROBOBAK Executive Client will automatically merge the Thin Exchange backup(s) with the Full Exchange backup to restore the day in time requested by the user.

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What are the steps taken when I select a Thin Exchange Backup?

1. The first backup that runs will take a Full Exchange Restore Point backup (.edb)
2. It will dump the entire .edb file to a virtual dump file (if possible, or will use physical dump)
3. It will backup the entire database
4. The next backup that runs will check the logs (created on the exchange server), and ONLY dump the changes since the last backup.
5. It will backup only the new changes.
6. At restore time, the Thin Exchange Restore Point will begin restoring from the last Full Exchange Restore Point and then restore each Thin Exchange Restore Points until it reaches your selected Thin Exchange Restore Point. Giving you a complete database (.edb) recovery


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How does a Thin Exchange Backup work?

1. User specifies how many incremental(s) per full they would like to keep
2. For the first full backup, the whole exchange database will be processed and transferred.
3. For each incremental, only the changes will be processed and transferred.
4. If you specify to keep 30 incremental(s) per full, then on the 31st day a new full will be processed, but only the incremental changes since the 30th backup will be transferred.
5. Deletion rules work by specifying how many fulls and associated incremental(s) you would like to keep. So if you are keeping 30 incrementals per full, and you want to keep 3 fulls, then you would have at most 90 restore points.
6. Each restore point, whether it is full or incremental is a full restore point for these purposes. You don't need to manually restore from several different backups to get your exchange database back to how it was on any of these 90 restore points. Just pick one.       Example:
        Exchange runs daily and the date today is Dec 01, 2008. I specify to keep 1 full generation and 21 incrementals.
        Day 1 - Exchange Backup will perform a full database backup
        Day 2 - Exchange Backup will perform an incremental backup
        Days 3 through 21 - Exchange Backup will perform an incremental backup
        Day 22 - Exchange Backup will perform a full database backup and deletes the old Exchange Full Backup and all associated incremental backups.


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Is a Thin Exchange Restore Point just as good as Full Exchange Restore Point?

Yes, both a Thin Exchange Restore point and a Full Exchange Restore Point will restore your entire Exchange server as it was at the time of backup. The only difference is that the Thin Exchange Restore Point will take slightly longer to restore because it needs to first restore the previous Full Exchange Restore Point before restoring the Thin(s) Restore Points.

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How do I set up a Thin Exchange backup?

1. Open the Backup Client and choose "Create a New Schedule"
2. Give your backup a unique name and be sure it does not share a name with any other backup job.
3. Select the "Exchange 2000/2003/2007 Backup" option and click Next
4. Select MS Exchange database backup
5. Enter your cluster or computer name and Click Next
6. Choose the number of THIN and Full Restore Points of your choice
7. Proceed with the backup as normal


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Why do I get a "Can't Send eMail Report" notice on my backup client report?

Because that function is NOT supported in the Basic or Advanced Versions. Upgrade to the Pro version in order tp avoid this and be able to get daily reports on the status of your backups.

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How do I restore to Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail (PST)?

1. Proceed with the restore as normal (see Restoring - Search a Specific location for a list of backups in the US Data Vault Executive Client Manual)

2. Important: Select, "Specify a location to restore to:" as the "Restore to the location that the files were backed up from" is NOT valid for Outlook/Win Mail restores.

3. Proceed with the rest of the restore as normal

4. Now from Outlook/Win Mail, Click File>Import/Export and follow Microsoft onscreen instructions to import the files back into Outlook/Win Mail.

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Does US DataVault perform incremental backups?

Yes, after the first complete backup, US DataVault will only backup the changed delta blocks of a changed file instead of re-backing up the entire file. This tremendously speeds up the backup process, reduces storage, and reduces bandwidth.

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Does US DataVault offer encryption and compression?

Yes, all data is encrypted and compressed before it leaves a computer. A built in advanced compression option, block level de-duplication, is also included in the US DataVault client.

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What is de-duplication?

De-duplication, also known as common file elimination, is the process of comparing blocks of one file to the other blocks on the US DataVault server and only re-backing up blocks that aren’t already on the server. So, for example if you have 100 machines that are backing up calculator.exe (which has lets say 2 blocks), only the first machine will backup that file with the 99 others simply skipping the 2 blocks due to them already residing on the US DataVault server.  

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What happens if I have a large sum of initial data to move offsite? 

This is not a problem. US DataVault allows the US DataVault client to make an initial backup to local disk for later physical transportation to the offsite US DataVault server.

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Are my backups going to be fast?

Yes! Backups are multi threaded; use de-duplication, and compression to make your backups as quick as possible. In the case of extremely large backups, your backup can be spanned over several days only running for any amount of hours per day.

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Are my restores going to be fast? 

Yes! Restores are handled very efficiently as the system is database driven. Select only certain data to restore or all data across your network in a single restore operation.

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Does US DataVault work with a dial up connection?

Even though it is not recommended, US DataVault does work with a dial up connection.

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Does US DataVault support Windows
Vista ?

Yes, US DataVault supports Win 2000 +, including
Vista

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How does the
US DataVault client update process work?

When there is an update, the US DataVault server administrator applies the hot fix to the US DataVault server which will then auto update all its associated clients. There is no need to issue updates to clients that connect to the US DataVault server manually.

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What if my Internet connection goes out during a backup?

Not a problem. The US DataVault client will automatically try to reconnect until the Internet connection is restored or as specified by the client. 

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Can US DataVault backup MAC, Linux and UNIX?

Yes, US DataVault can backup MAC, Linux and UNIX if the US DataVault client is installed on a Windows O/S. This is accomplished through FTP, FTPS, SFTP, or Samba.

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Does US DataVault support N+1 configurations for larger setups?

Yes, US DataVault offers a distribution server which will automatically pick the least busy backup server.

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Does US DataVault backup MSSQL?

Yes, US DataVault has the ability to backup hot MSSQL databases.

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Does US DataVault backup MS Exchange?

Yes, US DataVault supports both full and mailbox hot backups.

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Does US DataVault support backing up open files such as in-use PST files (Outlook)?

Yes, US DataVault's Open File Manager (OFM) supports the backup of open, locked and in-use files. 

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Does US DataVault have the ability to manage multiple machines through one screen?

Yes, the US DataVault client supports the ability to manage multiple machines on the same network through an advanced file tree that spans your entire network.

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Does US DataVault require that you install a separate agent on each networked machine?

No. US DataVault was built as no-agent based system where all backups for a network can be performed from one screen.

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Does US DataVault support backing up remote office/branch offices?

Yes, the US DataVault name stands for Remote Office, Branch Office Backup.

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Is the
US DataVault software built for corporate users or managed service providers?

Both! The US DataVault software was built from the ground up to include both a corporate and managed service provider management utility, which makes operating the system a breeze.

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Does the US DataVault software including billing abilities for the use of managed service providers?

Yes, the US DataVault "Operator Control Panel" has the ability to provide full billing support available for managed service providers only. This is a separately contracted service.

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What kind of hardware does the US DataVault system require?

This really depends on how many users and servers you want the system to support. Under most cases, a machine running Windows 2003 or any of our supported platforms would be more than adequate. For more details, you can contact sales@usdatavault.com or techsupport@usdatavault.com.

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