What is an Online Data Backup & Recovery Service?
An Online Data Backup & Recovery Service is an Internet-based service that allows computer users to routinely backup and recover their important data using a secure and trusted server on the Internet.

If you use your computer to create and save valuable data for business or personal reasons, you should make some type of backup of your important data to prevent a total loss in the event of any kind of system failure or human error. Simple data backup can be done by saving your data to multiple locations, copying the data from its original location to removable media, another hard drive, or another computers hard drive on the network.

To make this task easier, specialized programs known as Backup Software exist to aid users in regularly making a backup copy of their data. Since some users are not interested in managing the tasks necessary for maintaining their own backups, a new breed of backup software was created, known as Online Backup Software. Online Backup software is designed to routinely copy your important files to a private, secure location on the Internet by securely transmitting your data over your existing Internet connection.

If you have a working Internet connection on your computer, you can use echoSafe's Online Backup Service to keep your important files safe from disaster on a daily basis. Check the pricing of our Service.

I have a slow Internet connection, does it make sense for me to use Online Backup?
Depending on the speed of your connection and the size of your backup, your initial backup over the Internet may take several hours or even days. Many people with large backup sizes and slower Internet connections will often run their first backup over the weekend. Once the first backup is completed, each subsequent backup is usually a small amount of data that can be backed up in just minutes over a slower connection.

Our software can also resume a canceled backup, so you can start the backup during your slow times and cancel it during your busy times. The next time you start the backup, it will pick up from where it was canceled until the entire backup is complete.

What files should I select?
Since your entire hard drive is likely to be much larger than the amount of storage you have purchased on the backup server, you should be selective in the files that you choose for backup. In general, you can avoid backing up any programs that you can reinstall from a purchased CD, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.). Why pay for storage for "stuff" you can easily re-install? Try to focus your selection on things like your "My Documents" folder and data files of your important programs like accounting, income tax, contact management, graphics etc. Your online backup software comes with predefined filters, which allow you to automatically select categories of files without knowing where all the files are located. Check the software online help for Filters to learn how they can be used.

What happens if I exceed my quota?
In most cases, your account will allow you to exceed your paid storage quota/tier on the backup server. If you exceed your initial tier level, you will be contacted to authorize usage at a higher level, or to help you return to your desired tier.

How do I delete files from the Backup server?
In order to control how much data is stored on the online backup server, your online backup software allows you to view all of the data stored on the server and selectively remove files from the server. To view the data stored under your account, run your online backup software and click on the folder tab labeled "Restore". In the left windowpane, Right-Click on the Desktop icon and select "Get Volume List from Server". This will show you each computer that has been backed up to your account. Now you can navigate the folders to see what data is stored on the server. To delete files, click on the button with the Red "X" to enable the Delete Files mode. Mark any files you wish to delete by clicking your mouse in the empty box next to the file(s) you wish to delete. Click the "Delete Files Now" to issue the command to delete the selected files from the server.
WARNING: Once a file is deleted from the server, it can no longer be restored.

Can I backup more than one computer to my account?
Yes, we allow you to backup any number of computers to your account. Your account should already be setup to allow you to backup several computers. Putting multiple computers on a single account can simplify managing and billing your account. If you have any problems backing up more computers to your account, simply call, fax, or E-mail (support@echosafe.com) technical support to request additional computers on your account. Please be aware that you'll need an additional software license for each separate computer you want to back up. The same pricing structure applies whether you have all your computers under one account, or under individual accounts.

Should I also have a local backup in addition to my online backup?
It's up to you. Users that want an added level of protection may perform local backups in addition to their online backup. Local backups can allow you to backup ALL of your files, while the online backup is a great way to automatically store your critical files off-site. When it comes to your important data, you can never be too safe. Since everyone has different needs, you'll find a wide variety of backup software and services available to help you find the one that best fits your needs.

How do you calculate my billing?
We offer several billing plans depending on your monthly usage amount. Most clients are billed by the quarter, twice per year or annually. If your usage amount is high you will billed monthly.

How do I change my billing information?
You can call 970-963-9593 and speak to a representative to change any parameter of your account.

How do I cancel my online backup service?
We never like to see anyone cancel their online service, but in the event you must cancel your service, please call us at 970-963-9593 and ask to speak with someone regarding the cancellation of your online backup service. Once an account is canceled, the data will be permanently deleted. If you want a copy of your backups, please call to purchase a CD or DVD containing your data prior to cancellation. If you wish to cancel your account via E-mail, send a message to support@echosafe.com and please provide your complete contact information including: name/business name, address, phone & E-mail along with your Username for the online backup service.

What do I do if I have trouble connecting to the server or performing a backup?
You can call for assistance Monday - Friday during normal business hours, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST). You can also view the on-line help section of the software or the technical support section of our web site for some helpful information.

Can I backup open and locked files with the online backup software?
In the case of many backup software programs, files and databases that are in use during the backup may not get backed up successfully because they are locked to prevent any other program from altering the data. To solve this problem, echoSafe Backup can be used with the optional Open File Manager program to make sure that these open and locked files get backed up successfully. If you are interested in this optional program, please call for information and pricing details.

What is a FastBIT backup?
The FastBIT patching process is the core technology behind our speedy backup service. The patching process involves the comparison of two different versions of the same file and extracting the differences between the files. When the differences are extracted from the two files, they are saved into a new file and compressed into what is known as a Patch. The patch file is often 85% to 99.9% smaller than the file which the patch was extracted from originally.

In order to perform a FastBIT backup, the software has to backup the files 3 times: the first backup is a full, the next backup will perform an incremental, and the third performs the first FastBIT backup. All of this is transparent to you, the user.

My backup is set to automatically run at night, however it does not backup. What should I do?
A key feature of the echoSafe backup client is the ability to set a time you want the automatic backup to start . The backup cannot run if your computer is set to backup at a time your computer is in standby or hibernate mode.

By default your computer will go into standby mode after 15 minutes of being idle if you are running Windows XP. You can change this by right clicking on the screen background area. This will bring up a menu that has “Properties” as the last item on the menu. Left click on Properties. This will bring up a “Display Properties” dialog box with tabs for Themes, Desktop, Screen Saver, Appearance, and Settings. Left click on the Screen Saver tab. In the Monitor Power pane (with the energy star logo) there is a button labeled Power... Left click on this button. It will bring up another widow with four more tabs. Select the first tab, Power Schemes. At the bottom of this window is a box labeled System standby. You can change this to “Never”. This will ensure that your computer does not miss a backup. You can set it to something different so long as the computer doesn’t go into standby before the scheduled backup time. You could also change your scheduled backup to be earlier in the evening, and then have system standby set for a few hours.