Total Backup Recovery Server / Advanced Server Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do a "hot" backup of databases? i.e. backup while the database is online.

Backup with our product, the system will auto-detect database and it will autocall Microsoft´s VSS service when come across running database. And if that database supports VSS, backup can be finished successfully without closing the database. e.g. the latest versions of Exchange/SQL Server/Oracle support VSS. And when encounter lower version or other products which do not support VSS, users can suspend the application through our products´ running script function, and automatically recover after finishing backup.

How could I backup Oracle database using VSS?

Oracle 11g supports VSS, but earlier versions do not. For any version prior to 11g, you may use the Pre/Post Command Function to suspend and restart Oracle service. Please see the instructions below:

1. Stop common Oracle Services. Use the below batch script:
   1. Stop Oracle service. In "oracleserviceorcl", "orcl" is the "ORACLE_SID" user input when installing Oracle. Change this according to your actual environment. Net stop "oracleserviceorcl".
   2. Stop Oracle Listening service. "oracleoradb10g_home1tnslistener" needs
      to be changed according to your actual environment. Net stop oracleoradb10g_home1tnslistener.
   3. Stop Oracle Console service. "oracledbconsoleorcl" needs to be changed according to your actual environment. Net stop oracledbconsoleorcl.
2. Restart common Oracle Services. Use the below batch script.
   1. Start Oracle service. "oracleserviceorcl" is the actual service name, which needs to be changed according to your actual environment. Net start oracleserviceorcl.
   2. Start Oracle Listening service. "oracleoradb10g_home1tnslistener" needs to be changed according to your actual environment. Net start oracleoradb10g_home1tnslistener.
   3. Start Oracle Console service. "oracledbconsoleorcl" needs to be changed according to your actual environment. Net start oracledbconsoleorcl.

How do I convert a backup image to VMware file format?

In the "Tools" tab in the main UI, select "Convert Backup to Virtual Disk". Using this tool allows you to convert a saved full-image to VMware file format. Once converted, it can be used in your virtual application. Here are the steps to convert:

1. Login to the VMware office website and download and install VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit: http://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/
2. Click "Tool" from the left side navigation in the main UI and select "Convert Backup to Virtual Disk".
3. Select the image backup that you want to be converted. The file extension of the image backup is .sco.
4. Select a converting type (a partition or the entire hard drive).
5. Select the destination path where you want to store the converted VMware file.
6. Once the converting process is complete, a VMware file with .vmdk extension can be found in your selecter folder.
7. You can reference the VMware user guide for inserting virtual disks in the VMware machine, or you can follow the steps below:
   1. Select a "New" VMware machine from its menu. File > New > Virtual Machine.
   2. Select "Custom Advanced" when asked what type of configuration you want.
   3. In the "Guest Operating System Installation", select "I will install the operating system later".
   4. In "Select a Disk", select "Use an existing virtual disk", then browse for the converted .vmdk file by selecting "Select an Existing Disk".

When I restored a partition from an image file, Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server prompted me that "There is not enough space on the Destination Partition", but I'm sure the free space on the Destination Partition is larger than the used space in the Source Partition. Why am I getting this prompt?

If data at the end of the source partition cannot be moved, Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server will prompt you with this notice.

I'm trying to back up data to a computer on the network. Why can't I access the network share after I have entered a valid user name and password?

Follow these steps to reconfigure the Local Security Settings of the remote computer:

1. Select Start > Control Panel  > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy.
2. Locate Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options from the directory in the left window.
3. Double-click on Network access: Sharing and Security Model for Local Accounts.
4. Select Classic - Local users authenticate themselves. Click Apply.

How can a client connect to the Administrating Console automatically?

Enabling the broadcast functionality on the Administrating Console allows clients to connect automatically. If this does not work, turn off the broadcast feature and manually connect the client.

What is Total Backup Recovery ™ Advanced Server and what does it do?

Total Backup Recovery ™ Advanced Server is FarStone Technology's backup and disaster recovery solution for Windows. It allows the users to schedule (or manually create) frequent image-based backups of their local disks and store them on disk-based or network destinations. The backup images include all files, settings, programs and operating system files on the volume, and are an exact representation of the entire volume at the time the backup was created. More information about each Total Backup Recovery product can be found on their respective product pages.

How do I set up a free PXE Server in Windows? How can I do backup and restore through PWE Server?

Follow these steps:

1. Create a folder on your desired location. Use "PXE" for example, like in the screenshot below.
2. Select "Export PXE Image" from the Total Backup Recovery main UI, and save it to the "PXE" folder.
3. Once the PXE image is exported to your selected location, you can find a "Boot" folder which contains all related boot files.
4. Download free TFTPD32 from this website: http://tftpd32.jounin.net/, and install it on the machine where the PXE image will be exported to.
5. Set "Current Directory" to the same folder where you exported the PXE image to.
6. Configure TFTPD32's DHCP Server
   Server interfaces: Shows the IP address for the current system. In this case the IP address is 192.168.142.129
   IP pool starting address: Shows the initial IP address that was assigned by DHCP. Be sure this IP is in the same WAN as your local network. In this case, it started from "200".
   Boot File: Please type in boot\pxeboot.com and fill in the rest of the columns with appropriate info. Click "Save".
7. Run "PXE boot" for the selected system, and boot from the Network.
8. The screenshot below shows that the PXE boot has succeeded.

How can I back up and restore without having a DHCP Server on the network?

If the DHCP service is not running on your network, you must manually enter a static IP address to access the network in PE.

What is the difference between Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server and other Total Backup Recovery Products?

Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server is for business users. With the user-friendly administrating console, IT managers can perform backups remotely for all of the client computers. In comparison to Total Backup Recovery Workstation, Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server supports a larger number of servers including: Intel® Pentium processor at 133 MHz or faster, Windows® 2003 & 2008 Server, Windows® XP (32-bit & 64-bit), Windows® Vista (32-bit & 64-bit) Windows® Server 2003 Standard or Enterprise or Data Center (32-bit & 64-bit) SP2, Windows® Server 2003 R2 SP2, Windows® 2008 Server.

In Windows 2000, why does the error occur even if I enter the correct account in Login Setting?

The privilege of the default user in Windows 2000 is not enough. You must add it manually following these operations: Select Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment. Act as part of the operating system locations, then select the user into the list.

Which free trial software is available?

FarStone Technology offers a free 14-day trial for Total Backup Recovery products. You'll find a downloadable version with full functionality on the "free trial tab" of the Total Backup Recovery product page. Once the free trial is over, backed up images will be deleted from your system.

How do I get help if I need it?

If you need assistance with any of our products, please refer to the comprehensive user guide available on our website. If you are unable to find the solution you are looking for, obtain a Support Ticket to get in touch with our Technical Support Staff.

If I purchase Total Backup Recovery software, do I download it, or will you send me official product CDs in the mail?

You will have the option during the purchase to request a Total Backup Recovery product CD by mail (for a small shipping fee), or you may choose to download the software. The download comes in the form of a small installer to install the software in Windows.

How long does it take Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server to back up or restore a system?

This depends on the amount of data on your system. However, Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server's technology minimizes the time it takes to perform a backup.

Do I need to do anything before installing the Total Backup Recovery?

We recommend running Windows Check Disk to scan for hard drive errors. Check Disk can be started by running the Chkdsk.exe from the command prompt or by using the Client Module Pre-Installation check list.

Can Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server fix my system after my hard drive has been accidentally formatted or repartitioned?

Yes, if Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server was installed prior to the incident.

Where may I purchase Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server?

FarStone Technology products may be downloaded from our online product pages or from any of our reseller partners. If you originally purchased Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server from an authorized FarStone Technology Value Added Reseller (VAR), you may purchase any additional licenses through that reseller.

Where can I find the most updated prices?

The latest prices (MSRP) for FarStone Technology software are posted on the website.

How are your products licensed?

Each product is licensed per machine, unless otherwise stated (i.e, purchasing a multiple license bundle). If you wish to install and activate the product on multiple machines, you will need to purchase additional licenses.

I started Total Backup Recovery in Windows immediately after the installation was complete, but a message says that I have to restart my computer in order to run it. Why?

You have to restart your computer after installing Total Backup Recovery in order for all configuration changes to take effect.

Bad sectors have already been detected on a hard drive. How does this affect my backup and restore options?

Total Backup Recovery will try to copy all used sectors when performing a Complete or Incremental backup. You may be prompted to skip a bad sector or a job could fail due to bad sectors. Therefore, it's recommended to run Windows Check Disk command to detect and repair hard drive errors, or use utilities provided by your hard drive manufacturer, when attempting to resolve this type of problem.

Can I use disk tools such as Fdisk, PartitionMagic, and Norton Speed Disk after installing Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server on my computer?

There is currently no known resource conflicting with those utilities.

I've installed three operating systems on my computer, including Linux. Can Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server protect all three systems?

Absolutely. Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server protects multiple Windows operating systems completely, and we recommend using Back Up Computers to protect the non-windows systems.

Does Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server work in Windows Safe Mode?

Unfortunately, Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server does not work in Windows Safe Mode.

I installed Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server on Windows 2003 Server. Why can't I back up data through VSS?

VSS requires an NTFS partition in the system. Please check to see if your computer has an NTFS partition and that all other VSS requirements are met.

Why couldn't I run the Administrating Console following installation?

Two or more Administrating Consoles may have been installed on the same LAN. Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server will allow only one Administrating Console to operate at any given time.

Why couldn't I find the backup file I wanted after I ran a backup for several computers?

Backup times for different systems vary according to network times and the size of the backup. You may have to wait for the entire backup job to finish before you can locate the file in question.

How can a Client PC be restored following a data disaster?

There are 3 ways to boot the Client:

1. Press the space bar upon boot up to enter PE.
2. Use a Bootable Rescue Disk to enter PE.
3. Configure PXE and remotely boot the Client to PE.

When do I have to manually initialize the Secure Area of a Client PC?

If a restoration results in changes to the partitions that hold the hidden files, the Secure Area will have to be initialized. When the Client computer restarts, a prompt to initialize the Secure Area will appear.

What happens if a Client PC misses a scheduled backup?

Total Backup Recovery will start the missed backup automatically at next boot up if you select the checkbox in the setting interface saying "If the computer shuts down, run the missed tasks when it boots next time". If you don't select that checkbox, Total Backup Recovery will start the next scheduled backup at next boot up.

Does Total Backup Recovery conflict with any other applications?

Please close and uninstall Utimaco SafeGuard when launching Total Backup Recovery.

Which partition type does Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server recognize?

Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server recognizes NTFS, FAT, FAT32, Linux Ext2 and Ext3.

What do I do if a Total Backup Recovery Client does not respond to a backup command given from the Administrating Console?

Restart the client computer. After the client is restarted, use the Administrating Console to go to the "Group Job" tab and select the "Job Resend" function to resend the backup request.

Why didn't Total Backup Recovery Advanced Server initiate my Outlook when I clicked on "Email Installation"?

The configuration settings in Internet Explorer may be incorrect. Launch your Internet Explorer, select Tools > Internet Options > Programs > E-mail. Then you may modify your E-mail settings manually. We recommend using either Microsoft Office Outlook or Outlook Express.

Why is my backup image larger than the source partition or hard disk?

The source partition or hard disk may have too much of fragmentation. Please Defragment it and then run the backup again.

How can I access the computer outside the Workgroup, through the network, under the Recovery Manager?

Click on the "Tools" tab and select "Map Network Drive". You may then map the directory on the remote computer as you wish.

How can I get the SDK download location correctly before I use the "Convert Backup to Virtual Disk" feature?

Go to the VMware Home Page (www.vmware.com) > Download > VMware SDK&APIs > Virtual Disk > VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit.

Why do I see messages like "Cannot connect or connection failure", when I execute various network operations?

Check the firewall to confirm it is closed or it is set at Exceptions.