N360 backup - how to set up backup for multiple users on a single PC

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

I consider myself an experienced PC user, but the N360 backup solution makes me very skeptical.

 

What I simply want to do is to backup the "users"-directory on the C:-drive, all files and subdirectories included. The target folder is a NAS.

 

The closest I have come to so far is to define "My documents" as the backup source, then manually added each user directory (c:\users\<username>) using "Add a folder". All file types have been ticked for inclusion.

 

However, the file count and backup size is much smaller than what I see when inspecting the same folders in Windows explorer. I have also observed that specific files are not tagged as backed up after running the backup (either no icon overlay, or the blue double arrows). This makes me a bit concerned, in particular as the only way of checking a successful backup is actually by traversing directories and inspecting icons.

 

Questions / observations:

1) Is this the correct backup definition for backing up all documents for all users of a pc?

2) Why are some files not tagged as backed up?

 

Hope someone can help me out here, I'm very close to reverting to a standard Vista backup regime ..

 

Regards,

 

Karl (Norway)

 

 

2

Try --

After you have added the users to the 'What page',

click on the name of each file type selected and wait for it to load the files.

Tick include All

 

Message Edited by boneidle on 01-01-2010 05:46 PM
3

Hi,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

My UI doesn't quite match your description, which version are you using (I'm on version 3)?

 

Karl

4

I consider myself an experienced PC user, but the N360 backup solution makes me very skeptical.

 

What I simply want to do is to backup the "users"-directory on the C:-drive, all files and subdirectories included. The target folder is a NAS.

 

The closest I have come to so far is to define "My documents" as the backup source, then manually added each user directory (c:\users\<username>) using "Add a folder". All file types have been ticked for inclusion.

 

However, the file count and backup size is much smaller than what I see when inspecting the same folders in Windows explorer. I have also observed that specific files are not tagged as backed up after running the backup (either no icon overlay, or the blue double arrows). This makes me a bit concerned, in particular as the only way of checking a successful backup is actually by traversing directories and inspecting icons.

 

Questions / observations:

1) Is this the correct backup definition for backing up all documents for all users of a pc?

2) Why are some files not tagged as backed up?

 

Hope someone can help me out here, I'm very close to reverting to a standard Vista backup regime ..

 

Regards,

 

Karl (Norway)

 

 

5

Hi KIS

Sorry about that, forgot I was  using v4 Beta.

I see what you mean, when adding the user accounts, it doesn't include  all the Folders

I'm using XP sp 3 at moment with v4, what OS are you using ?

If I open Windows Explorer, click on 'Computer, there is a 'Norton Backup Drive' folder, in which I can see the Folders/Files that it has backed up, trying to see if there's a pattern there.

There is an Edit option on the What to backup page, which let me configure File Types, I'll look at that.

Do you see these  with v3 ?

I'll dig deeper, if I see anything which might help, I'll let you know.

I will try with Win 7 later,  to see what that does.

 

 

6

Hi,

 

I'm actually using both Vista (Home Premium, SP2) and XP on different computers, and I have the option to edit file types (as an advanced setting).

 

What concerns me the most is that it's so difficult to understand the effect of the different choices (file types vs folders, etc), and that some files seem to have been omitted from the backup when I inspect the overlay icons after running. I see a lot of other people having similar concerns when Google'ing on N360 backup.

 

If you have a simple recipe for simply backing up all users docs I would be very grateful.

 

What is your impression of the v4 beta, does it seem more intuitive than v3? Is is sufficiently robust at the moment that it would actually be a feasible option to run on the beta instead of v3?

 

Karl

7

Hi KIS

I'm using XP sp3 and Win 7 Prof  as Dual Boot, with N360 Beta v4 on both.

 Never tried v3, straight into the beta

I quite like it, but as with all Beta's, there are teething troubles at the start.

I think this beta trial is nearing the end, only my opinion though.

I'm told it seems more slicker and smoother tha v3.

Being a beta, it's not recommended for your main pc, as the unexpected could happen.

Use this Link to get a picture of what's happening to date, with the v4 beta.

http://community.norton.com/norton/board?board.id=N360_4_pb

 

Ref. backing up.

As you say, it ought to back up selected Folders in full, which it doesn't seem to do at moment.

As I mentioned before, you can open the 'Backed up Folders' in XP, and I think the ones missing are more to do with the operating side, and perhaps  not ones that you would need to restore.

 I'm thinking that perhaps you might be better logging in to each user in turn to backup their folders

Selecting, 'My Documents' and the appropriate 'Drive Letter', tick every file type, and then adding the User with 'Add/Include Folders option.

 ( When just using the Add User Folders, it doesn't seem to backup the 'My Documents' of the logged on User.)

 

 If you would like some images of the v4 'Backing Up' pages, let me know and I will put them here.

Wish you luck, Happy New Year.

 

Message Edited by boneidle on 02-01-2010 12:23 PM
8

Thanks again for the advice.

 

Regarding the multi-user issue: Are the backup settings local to each logon-user, or global at program-level? If I logon as another user, will the backup program make another set of backup files, or update the backup set I set up on my original user (which basically is my Admin-user)?

 

Comparing this to the Vista backup, there is only one backup set, which then backs up all users for the chosen file types. Not to say this is necessarily the best approach, I'm just a little confused as to how Norton actually handles the backup sets on a multi-user machine.

 

Karl

9

Think I see what you are getting at.

I'll do some trials on my v4, possibly tomorrow.

The only things I can say at moment is.

1     The backup Files are put into the Root folder of the drive, so they are not locked to a certain User.

     For example with my Dual Boot, using one partition, I can open backed up files on the other partition.

     It may be because I have administrators rights of course.

2     With v4 you can give each users backed up files, a unique name.

     I think you would say , you can have multiple Back Up sets

 

Will put a couple of images below of the v4 'back up' setting up pages, where you might see differences from v3, maybe.

 

Will do more trials tomorrow

 

N360v4_Main.PNG

 

N360v4_BackupSummary.PNG

 

N360v4_BackupWhat.PNG

 

N360v4_BackupInclFolders.PNG

 

N360v4_BackupWhere.PNG

 

N360v4_BackupWhen.PNG

 

 

10

Hi KIS

Just did some trials with N360 v4 & XP sp3

I set up two accounts ( Delly  & Kola), whatever.

I just wanted to backup 'My Documents' for each account.

I opened up Manage Backup Sets

On Summary Page I clicked 'Create New Backup Set' and entered the name of the logged on user.

On What Page I selected 'My Documents' and Ticked all the File Type boxes including'Other File Types'.

( Did not select any Drive Letters.

On Where Page I selected the Drive I was currently using.

On When Page I selected Automatic(Recommended.

Clicked Save Settings.

I then clicked 'Run Backup'

 

I then logged in to the other User account, and repeated this using the other user name.

 

 In Windows Explorer under My Computer, I  opened the current Drive Letter,( mine happened to be D), then oped up

 'N360 Backup', and could see two Backup Folders.( in Hex numbers.

 

 Next I Opened Norton 'Restore Files.

It opened a window in which you can c;lick View All to see both accounts.

Selected the account I was in, under File Types click browse , then All file tpes, after it has loaded, tick top box to select

all files,(it takes a few moments)

Click Ok

Then in Restore to, click 'Original Location, ( or 'change')

Then click Restore Files.

You get a confirmation Popup, if you tick 'Remember this, it continues.

 

So it appears you can keep user files seperate.

Images below, may be this helps answer some questions.

 

BUAccount-1.PNG

 

 

BUAccount-2.PNG

 

BUAccount-3.PNG

 

BUAccount-5.PNG

 

BUAccount-4.PNG

Message Edited by boneidle on 03-01-2010 06:50 PM
Message Edited by boneidle on 03-01-2010 06:52 PM
11

Thanks for good advice!

Karl