Computer Backup FAQ.

1. What is wrong with the traditional computer data backup methods?
Many traditional computer data backup software programs will merely create a copy of your selected files and folders without providing an easy method of recovering the data to your hard drive when you need it. On the other hand, Managed Data Solutions current technology allows you to automatically replace the data you have backed up to our secure system, back onto your hard drive to the original folder or to a folder location you specify.
Additional information regarding concerns with traditional backup methods and today's technology, includes recommendations from Microsoft.

2. How quickly can I start performing my computer data backup with Managed Data Solutions?
Upon signing up for our backup services via our secure on-line order system, you will receive an automated E-mail message with all the information you will need to download the Managed Data Solutions Computer Data Backup software, which provides a printed screen shot step by step instructions guide. If you are paying by credit card, as soon as you have installed and configured the software, you can immediately perform or schedule a online backup. If you are paying by check, we need to receive your check prior to Managed Data Solutions activating the service.

3. How do I restore my computer data using MDS’ data backup plans?
If you have purchased a new computer and it comes loaded with a new operating system, you will need to perform the following functions:

a. Make sure the software contained on the new computer is updated using the online update functions as most new computers do not have the latest security updates installed.
b. Install and update an effective antivirus program.
c. Install your special or custom programs on the new device and insure they are updated to the latest version.
d. Download from the Internet any special programs you were using that you do not have a disk for.
e. Execute a data restore job in your backup software to place your special settings and data files back on your computer.

Unquestionably the current data backup technology will save you 1 to 2 hours everyday when comparing a full system backup performed daily.

 More Frequently Asked Questions:.

Can my business survive a catastrophic loss of data? The statistics tell the story. 50% of the companies that lose their mission critical data never reopen. Over 85% of data outages are due to hardware, software, network failure, or human error. Automated, offsite data backups can eliminate the loss of data from these causes, as well as environmentally caused data loss. The decision is yours to make: Treat your data as a key asset; don’t allow it to become an organizational liability.

What is your electronic data worth? The value of your data depends on the utilization of it in your business. If you use accounting, sales, contact, planning, programming, design, or other software on your computer, your business is totally dependent on ready access to that data. Therefore, the value of the data is only one consideration, and can only be answered by you. However, another cost consideration is how much it costs to recreate data, According to a recent study, the data contained in only 20 megabytes would typically cost $17,000.00 and take 19 days of work to be recreated. For accounting data, the cost averages $19,000.00 and takes over 21 days of work.

My computer is part of a server-based network. Do I really need to back up the data on my computer?  Yes. According to the Strategic Resource Corporation, only 40% of mission critical enterprise level information resides on the shared servers. A full 60% actually stays on the users desktop and notebook computers that are attached to the servers.

What are the chances that my hard drive will fail? 100%. All hard drives are destined to failure, with the amount of time before it happens, the only variable factor. Combined with the ever-increasing capacity of hard drives, a hardware failure will constantly cost more than ever, without an effective data recovery plan in place.

I have a portable Computer; Is it necessary to back up the data on it, since my work is performed outside the office? Yes. One out of ten portable computers are stolen, and one in every five fails, resulting in total data loss. Some of the most important and timely business data is contained on mobile computers. With this need for total mobility, data backups are completely mission critical in any professional environment, especially where mobile computers are utilized.

Aren’t most business computers backed up? No. According to the Strategic Resource Corporation, only 4% of all business computers are undergoing essential data backups. Of the 4%, most do not have effective, automated backup plans in place. Without automation, backups are being inevitably missed, forgotten, or not performed correctly.

I perform my own back ups to tape, and store the tapes in a fireproof cabinet. Isn’t that an effective data backup plan? No. As long as the tapes are in the same facility with the computer, fire, flood, vandalism, or other events will affect the backup tapes as well. Also, fireproof cabinets help protect paper from burning, but not plastic from melting and tape from deforming. With an automated, offsite data backup plan from Managed Data Solutions, your data is stored safely, as often as you schedule it and away from your business, but readily accessible to you (and only to you).  Do you know where your backups are stored?”

The  Data Backup Software Installation, Registration, and Usage.

Which types of computers does the basic client software run on? MDS Data Backup software currently supports Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium and all Windows XP versions. Versions. For Macintosh, Linux, and Unix are available; please contact MDS for these applications.

How quickly can I perform a data backup after I sign up for service with Managed Data Solutions? Upon signing up for our data backup services on-line, you will receive an automated E-mail message with all the information you will need to perform a backup, so that you can download the Data Backup software and printed screen shot, step by step instructions from our site. If you are paying by credit card, as soon as you have installed and configured the software, you can immediately perform or schedule a data backup. If you are paying by check, we need to receive your check prior to MDS activating your account.

Can I use the same registration information on multiple computers? No. Each machine requires a separate client license and user account. The registration information is sent to you after you have subscribed to one of our offsite data backup services. This allows us to uniquely identify and store vast amounts of data from around the world.

Is my data encrypted when the backup software runs? Yes. During the setup of the client software you set the encryption level and encryption password that is only available to you. We always recommend encrypting your data prior to transmission. 

What method of encryption is used? Your data will be encrypted using a 128-bit version of “Blowfish” if you choose that option during software setup. If you want to turn on data encryption later, you can click File, then Properties on the Menu Bar of the client software. Then, click the Operation tab, & click the check box labeled “Encrypt with Blowfish Method.” Finally, enter a password/phrase and a confirmation password. Be sure to choose a password/phrase you will remember, or else keep it recorded in a secure place. YOU MUST HAVE THIS PASSWORD/PHRASE TO RETRIEVE YOUR DATA, WE CANNOT RETRIEVE THIS PASSWORD FOR YOU.

Can I perform backup of different files or folders at a time? Yes. You can backup as many files or folders as you need. For details, see Specify Backup Set section in program Help.

Is it possible to backup an open file, which is in use by another program? Yes, it is possible. to be backed up, such files should have read access. Therefore, make sure that the option "Open files exclusively" in Item Properties/Advanced/File-specific settings is unchecked. MDS Data Backup does not backup files that are not accessible for reading (particularly, system files like pagefile.sys, file opened without sharing permission, loaded modules (i.e. EXE, DLL files), etc.).

Why do I need to register my copy of the Data Backup Software? The Data Backup software will not operate after 30 days, unless you enter the registration information we send to you. Registering the software will also entitle you to free operating updates of the software as they become available.

How do I register the software? Complete instructions are included with the registration information E-mailed. to you by Managed Data Solutions. From within the software, click the help tab, then click the “enter your serial number” tab, and then enter the supplied registration information.

 Can I select the root directory of a drive and then selectively choose the files and subdirectories I want to back up? Yes, you can do this. If you do not want the program to backup certain files / folders, just un-check them in the list of files / folders to be backed up (for details, see Specify Backup Set section in program Help).

I created a backup of "My Documents" directory on one machine. Can I restore the directory to another machine using the program?  Yes. You must install a new set of the client software, in the exact same update version on the additional computer & configure it exactly as it is one the first machine and creating a Restore item on the additional computer. You must also supply the user account information to allow you to contact the MDS backup server. Then, specify the index file that is kept on the MDS backup server. You can log onto your data backup account from any Windows based computer. NOTE: Data encryption requires a separate password within the client program, without this password the data will not be readable.

Can the software do a full restore to a blank hard drive? No, the program is not intended for backing up system files and you cannot use it for restoring the whole operation system.  If you require system restore capability, contact Managed Data Solutions for a solution tailored to your needs.

Can I restore data from a back up I performed with an older version of the Data Backup Software? Yes. The newer versions of the Data Backup Software will import data from older back up software versions.

Does the program run only if the computer is connected to the Internet? Yes. In order for your data to be transmitted, on your schedule, to the Managed Data Solutions data bank, you must have an Internet connection and your computer must be logged on. Depending on your operating system, you can enable automatic connections to the Internet for backup purposes. Please call or E-mail us for instructions specific to your version of Windows.

How do I change my credit card or other billing information?  You can change your credit card billing information by logging onto your MDS control panel.  Go to www.mdatasol.com, click the Control Panel button, and log on using the credentials we have supplied you

Estimated Backup Times, Bandwidth, and Offsite Data Storage Facts

How long should my first backup take? Many factors affect backup elapsed times. The first backup you perform will take much longer than incremental backups. Incremental backups are much more efficient in relation to time and bandwidth than are complete backups. The time to back up ten Megabytes of data can range from approximately 33 minutes if you have a 56K dial-up connection to 37 seconds if you are connected by cable modem (even less if you have a faster connection than cable modem). Other factors affecting backup times include open programs, available memory, processor speed, Internet activity, connection quality, data compression and encryption. A normal incremental backup should only take a few minutes.

Can I run other programs while the backup is being performed?   We recommend that you do not run any other programs while the data backup is being performed. CRITICAL FILES MAY NOT GET BACKED UP PROPERLY. Your computer will react noticeably slower than it normally does and the data backup will take longer than necessary. Additionally, depending on what software you are attempting to run concurrently with MDS Data Backup, the other software may interfere with or terminate the data transfer process. It is best to schedule your backup session after work hours.

What happens if I back up more data than is allowed in my plan? Your backup may not be allowed to complete normally. You will receive an automated e-mail before reaching your plan limit, allowing you to adjust your plan prior to reaching your limit.

How do I know how much data I currently have stored on the backup server? Visit our website at www.mdatasol.com, and click on the Control Panel button. Log on with your user name and password for complete account details, including storage and bandwidth used.

How long is my data stored at a Managed Data Solutions facility? Indefinitely. Any data transmitted to Managed Data Solutions will remain on our server until you remove it via your control panel or terminate the service.

Where does my data go?  All data backups are stored at Managed Data Solutions’ secure Oklahoma City data center. We perform additional offsite backups of all data, which are stored at another site; this site is also controlled solely by Managed Data Solutions. This site is completely secured and climate controlled, we understand the need for data security and redundancy. WE DO NOT, NOR WILL WE EVER STORE OUR DATA BACKUPS WITH ANY THIRD PARTY COMPANY.

How do I retrieve my data if my computer crashes, or my hard drive fails?   After repairing or replacing your computer, contact us. We will E-mail you your log on credentials, and the link to enable you to download the current version of the client software. You must have your encryption password for the new software, we do not nor can we access this password for you. Once you have reinstalled the client software, and have entered the correct credentials, you can retrieve the backup index from the MDS offsite data storage servers. The index provides you a comprehensive set of files included in your data backups.

How do I schedule an automated backup?  If you are using the New Item Wizard, contained in the setup software, step six allows you to automate the scheduled backup. If you have already created a backup set, right click on the backup set name in the main program window & then click properties.  Then, click the Scheduling tab & click on Enable Scheduler. Finally, enter the schedule as you wish to perform the automated backups.

Which files do you recommend I select for backup?  At a minimum, we recommend you back up your \my documents folder, your E-mail client’s personal folders (i.e. Microsoft Outlook’s .PST, .OST, and .PAB folders, and other software data files. Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP, back up the \documents and settings folder, this will include you’re my documents files. This folder includes all documents and E-mail / Internet browser settings and information.  Then select other data files as you see fit.

 When is the best time of day to schedule my automated backup? We recommend you schedule your backup for the time of day when you computer will most likely not be utilized.  For example, if you go to work at 8:00 am, you may want to schedule your automated backup for 2:30 am.

How do I restore data from an existing backup? Open the the Data Backup Software window & find the backup set you need to restore data from. Right-click the Item name, and click Restore to immediately begin the restore process. You can also create automated restoration of any backup set by creating a new item, and selecting Restore Item in the New Item Wizard Step #1. For specific instructions to restore individual files or folders, press the F1 key on your keyboard, or click Help and the click Contents on the Menu Bar of the Data Backup Software program window.