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Kudos0

New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 2:17AM · 8 Replies ·

Hello, This problem cannot be unique to me and scanning the forum I have not found a useful solution.  This link explains the problem and Peter suggests that he has not found a usable solution.  https://community.norton.com/en/forums/how-assign-existing-backup-sets-n...

I am buying a new PC.  I have 50+ Gb of data from my current computer stored using the cloud Backup feature in Norton 360.  To get this data on to my new computer and automatically being backed up the only solution that seems to work to get my data on to the NEW computer and to make Norton back it up to the cloud going forward is 1 - Download the 50Gb of data to the correct location on the new machine, 2 - Create NEW backup sets from the new machine (followed by the SLOW upload of 50Gb of data - what a waste), 3 - delete the OLD redundant sets in the cloud from the OLD computer.

I have a good download service from my internet (100Mb/s) but the upload is around 8Mb/s so it will take MANY hours to get the 50Gb of data backed up "clean".

SURELY there has to be a better method that various users can employ.  If there is one and I have not found it then fine - I will admit to being DIM but come on Norton, reassigning existing backups to a new computer is a regular NEED for your user base with replacement computers and hardware.  Give us some help here.

Thank you anyone who can provide an answer.

Labels: Backup, Norton 360

Replies

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 7:19AM · Permalink

If you are just referring to the initial backup from a new installation, it is at the mercy of the upload speed provided by your ISP. Any other service you might find will be hobbled by the same conditions. 

When I have to go through this, I just set up my system so that it will stay on overnight and let the backup run. That way, the backup does not get interrupted by your normal usage of the system. 

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 9:03AM · Permalink

Peter, we have communicated in other posts in the past.

I understand your proposed solution but just how many Norton users are there in the world having to do this each day?  Anyone who buys a new computer or does a clean install of Windows or replaces a major component meaning the computer ID (to Norton) changes.

I suspected that there was no new answer - but don't you think that there should be?  Considering the amount of wasted time going through this process (whether overnight or during the day) by some of the millions of Norton users EVERY DAY I would have hoped Norton could develop a solution - even if it is only needing to contact customer support to re-designate the existing backups to become backups from the "new" computer.

How could I get this raised with the grown ups in Norton?  Do they know this is an annoyance or is it simply a 'hidden' problem that they can ignore?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Frank

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 9:29AM · Permalink

To answer your last question Frank I would say yes it is a hidden problem.

I have never had a need to restore a large amount of backup to a new PC and that is probably true of many others. So it is something I have not thought about or cared about until I have read your post. I assume others that have gone thru this procedure have just done as you outlined and downloaded and then uploaded the same data to create a new backup set of files and have done so maybe complaining to themselves about the process.

So the issue I assume is the amount of data and therefore time it takes to upload back. My question is if you can download the old backup to the new PC then why not just keep that backup set since it can be used to restore? Does it become unusable now because the PC ID has changed? Why would it allow the original restore to the new ID? Maybe it is as simple as being able to login to Norton online and modify the existing backup set after you restore to allow for the new PC ID.

My grasp on the problem as you can see is not very whole at this point but I think I hear your pleas to Norton to make some kind of change to eliminate the reloading back.

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 10:01AM · Permalink

Hello xjoex.  I freely admit that I may have missed a trick here but for me it seems that the following is a 'normal' sequence of events for most people at some time in their usage of Norton 360 or similar:

  • Load Norton on to a computer
  • Set up backup sets (I suspect usually the data that you want access to anywhere and that you want to ensure is retained other than on local HDDs or memory sticks)  My daughter has 80Gb of photos backed up to her Norton installation from her existing laptop and I have about 50Gb of photos, music and documents on mine
  • Norton regularly backs up the data and all is well
  • Problem with computer (needing new major component or a complete Windows re-install) or buy new computer hence you now own a computer with a different identity from Norton's viewpoint.
  • Load Norton on to the 'new' computer.  The backups are linked to the old computer so Norton does not recognise them as linked to the 'new'
  • If necessary, the existing backups can be downloaded to the 'new' computer from the cloud via a web browser by logging into your Norton account and viewing ALL backup sets - in my case I have usually had a local drive with the data on it so not really necessary to bulk download the backed up files (However long it takes to download 50 Gb of data)
  • Ideally it should be possible to link the existing backups to the 'new' computer so that the backups continue as before - this is what seemingly cannot be done
  • Once you have actually set up the 'new' computer with the required data on it (either downloaded from the cloud or transferred from a local backup) now create NEW backup sets to be uploaded at whatever upload speed your ISP offers - mine is 8-10 Mbps hence hours of uploading data which I have already uploaded once previously from the old computer.
  • If you have 80Gb backed up (for me / my daughter this is from our allowance of 100Gb) it is obviously necessary to delete the 'old' backups before uploading all the 'new' backups.
  • All this juggling also carries the risk of deleting something / losing something before it is all 'synchronised' on the new computer

It just seems like it should be possible to perhaps change one bit of data somewhere in the backed up data to allow a one off 'download / synchronisation' from the backed up files to the 'new' computer and then to simply go forward from there.

I am no IT wizard but I believe that with something like Microsoft One Drive it doesn't seem to 'care' what the computer identity is - as long as you log in and pass the security checks it syncs the folders / files in whatever manner you want and then move on.  I have not used One Drive much so this may not be the case - but can Norton look at this in some way????

Frank

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 10:07AM · Permalink

Thank you for your explanation and detail of the issue.

I find it interesting that One Drive has the capability to do as you say but not Norton. Let's hope Norton is listening and maybe you might post something in "Product Suggestions".

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 10:56AM · Permalink

 xjoex

My question is if you can download the old backup to the new PC then why not just keep that backup set since it can be used to restore? 

The issue with just leaving the old backup set is that now you are using twice the backup storage space. Depending on the size of the backups, and the storage limit of the subscription, there may not be enough room for both backup sets.

FrankUK

The only way we have in the forums to try to bring ideas/suggestions to Norton's attention is in the Product Suggestions board https://community.norton.com/forums/product-suggestions

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 08-May-2021 | 11:51AM · Permalink

I know this doesn't answer your question but I have Norton 360 w/ Lifelock. I have never been fond of Norton's backup feature. Though I use it as an emergency backup [never have really needed it, thankfully], I have found it slow & clunky. I use BackBlaze as my primary. It has a PC "Inheritance" feature that does what you want Norton to do. It's a snap. You might want to try it if you've got some spare cash.

Kudos0

Re: New Computer Time Wasting Backups

Posted: 09-May-2021 | 3:00AM · Permalink

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I have added this to the Product Suggestions following Peter's suggestion and I have had a look at Backblaze as an alternative from Richfed.

The Backblaze looks interesting but to be honest I have no idea of my monthly activity - I have never had to consider it previously.  I threw a few numbers in and the cost is not extortionate provided I got my numbers in the right ball park.

As part of my Office 365 subscription (yes it is expensive at first glance but my family and I use 5 out of the 6 licenses) I get 1Tb free storage via OneDrive so that might be an option of Norton can't (or won't) offer anything but I am not happy about having OneDrive continuously syncing and reading my computer as I work.  I have gone through the re-sync process above several times in the last 5 years and it is just tedious.

Here's hoping for a positive response of either "stupid boy - this is how you do it" or "we will switch something on next week".

Again, thanks all.

Frank

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