Norton Backup Drive

Hello again Jim.

 

So Norton 360 backup can save and restore files on to and from the Z drive!   :smileyhappy:

 

Sorry about the image insert, I forgot to say that they probably need to be images (e.g .jpg rather than .pdf files).  If you use the Windows snipping tool it has .jpg as a standard file save option.

 

Thanks for the images but I am still not able to see all that I would hope to see.  I asked how the location of the new backup file relates to the old backup files that you previously copied to the C drive.  In your third image I can only see the new backup and even then I am not clear where it is.  In windows Explorer can you navigate to it using the left hand pane and take a snapshot, then try and do the same again for the old backups which seem to be in a different directory but on the same drive if I have understood correctly.

 

One last question - if you go to the Manage Backup sets screen and click on the little down arrow on the right of the "Backup set name" window - what names do you see?  Is it just "Default Backup Set" and "GWn Backup", or is there anything else?  Make sure that you do not change the name in the window from "GWn Backup".

OK, let's try my newly found skill (inserting a jpg).

 

I had been looking at this before you replied back... see image below. I was wondering why Norton inserted a new N360_BACKUP folder within the existing N360_BACKUP folder?????

Capture_N360_5.JPG

 

In the Manage Backup window there are only 2 options: 1. "Default Backup Set" and 2. "GWn Backup".

 

Jim

Hi Jim.

 

Still waiting for the image to appear but this seems like progress.

 

Try copying (again do NOT move) one of the files from the old backup directory to the new one on the Z drive and then look at Restore Files; View All; Refresh List and see if another old set appears along with your new backup.  Report back.  ;-)

This may be somewhere in here, but I can't find it.

 

When I go into Windows 8 Explorer/Computer, I see a link to Norton Backup Drive. When I click on it, I don't see anything. If I go into Norton 360 and refresh the Restore Files/Restore From screen, which is initially empty, go back to Explorer and select the Norton Backup Drive, I see my locations.

 

Why should I have to go through all of this? I have another online backup service, Mozy which has a link in the same place in Windows Explorer. When I click on this,I instantly see my backed up folders and files.

 

 

Here's screen shot of "Restore" - "View All" - "Refresh List" (after copying an older B/U to new location on Z:)

 

Capture_N360_6.JPG

Sorry blegs38552 but this is a long and complicated thread about an individuals problems and I am not even going to attempt to answer your query here.  May I suggest that if you really want an answer that you make a separate post.  :smileysad:

Sorry for the delay in replying Jim but I wanted to see the image.   :smileyvery-happy:

 

That is good news.  

 

I don't know what happened before but currently your systems seems to see the Z drive as being called N360_BACKUP and it is looking for a folder called N360_BACKUP.  Well now we have given one it can find so copy the rest of the old backup files from their old position to the new N360_BACKUP folder and repeat looking at what is available to restore.  There should be all your files there then.

 

If that is the case all we need to do is tidy up and get you to set up a new backup that will work from now on.

 

Let me know what you find after you copy all the other old Norton Back files across into the new N360_BACKUP folder on Z.

OK, I copied ALL of the old backup files to our new location on Z: and here's what we now have:

... according to N360 "Restore Files" window -

Capture_N360_7.JPG

 

and, a look thru the eyes of Windows Explorer. I've expanded the folders some to give you a fairly complete view:

... top of window:

Capture_N360_7a.JPG

... Bottom of same window:

Capture_N360_7b.JPG 

 

Looks somewhat of a mess...

Jim

Oh why cannot life be simple....

 

Yes it does look a mess but I am optimistic.

 

Have you noticed that according to the first image in your last post you actually backed up 578 files to your Z drive on Tuesday!

 

If you look at your first image in your last post you will notice that there is a slider bar on the right - you have not revealed all the files that are available for restoring.  An image of  what that shows might be informative.....

 

What I think we are working towards is removing all the old backup files and setting up a new backup that we have some confidence will work.  I still want to see the image I ask for above but I am optimistic.

 

As far as I can see there would no be no harm in deleting all of the N360_BACKUP folder (including the folder itself) on your C drive.  The test backup was just that, a test and we now seem to be able to access the others through the Z drive.

 

Sorry this is taking so long.  :smileysad:

I hope that you've picked up on the fact that my numbered responses are in relation to the paragraphs which hold your questions...

 

1. Me too, I certainly have gained much confidence in the fact that Norton Backup does well when properly set up and understood.

 

2. Yes, I noticed the 578 files.

 

3. Here's the image you are looking for... bottom portion of the window:

Capture_N360_7c.JPG

 

4. see image above.

 

5. I'll go ahead and delete the Backup set on C: and the N360_BACKUP folder there

 

6. Not a problem. I am more than happy that you have taken the time to help me with this!!! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

Jim

 

 

 

That looks like good news jaime41.

 

It would appear that you can see all your old backup files here if you need them.  Now let us tidy up, and set up a new and usable backup set.

 

First delete all the files in the new N360_BACKUP directory on your Z drive.  Leave the original Norton Backup files where they have been all along.  If you need to recover anything from them you can always copy them back to the new N360_BACKUP folder and access them but for now keeping that folder clear will make things tidier.

 

Once you have cleared out the files have another look at the restore possibilities in N360.  This time there should be nothing visible.  If there is, post a screen shot and try and work out where the physical file is.  If there is nothing we can proceed with creating a new backup set.

 

Go to Manage Backup and "Delete Backup set" for any sets that you do not plan to use.  It will not let you delete the last one whatever that is, but do not worry.  If you are unhappy with the name of the remaining backup set you can always select the Rename option.  Then with the name of the set you wish to use as your normal backup in the window on the Manage Backups screen, select the "Where" tab, choose the Z drive and, I would recommend, make sure that the "Verify backups" box is ticked.  The go to the "When" tab and choose when you would like the backup to run.  Automatic is probably the best for you.

 

Then go to the "What" tab and select what you want backed up.  You seem comfortable with this so I will not go into great detail but I will just put in two pointers.  If you specifically include a folder then I believe that all the files in that folder (except probably any files that Norton thinks are encrypted) will be backed up.  However if you use the "My Documents" option on the left and the file types selection on the right, Norton will only backup files with extensions that match the extensions in its current file type list.  So in this latter case you may want to check that you are not using any unusual extensions.  If you are then you would need to add them manually.

 

Once you have set the Where, When and What - save the settings.

 

Select Preview and it will tell you how many files and how much space the backup should take.  If this looks odd come back and explain what you see and why it is odd.  If it looks reasonable then manually run the backup from the Manage Backups screen.  This may take a long time depending on how many files you have chosen.  So you may want to run it overnight or when you do not need to use the machine.  Future backups should be incremental and only take a fraction of the time.

 

Hopefully you will get a report of a successful backup.  Once you have got this go to the Restore option and look to see if you could restore some of your files.  If this looks as if it will work then all seems good and our work is done!   :-)

 

Two final thoughts.  

 

1.- I normally have two separate backup sets, one that runs automatically and one that I run manually.  This means that if for any reason one gets corrupted I still have the other.  You may like to consider such an option.

 

2.- Once you have set up your new backup and gained confidence that it is working you could delete your old backup files (the ones that cannot be recovered without moving them to the new N360_BACKUP folder) to save space and avoid clutter.  However given the size of the disk this does not seem to be a pressing need.

 

So hopefully all is now sorted but it would be good if you could report back after you have done the above and let us know what actually happened.  ;-)

 

Good luck.

Before I begin on our "cleanup" effort let me offer the following thought(s).

 

I'm thinking that the current Z: drive is mapped to: \\HPd\Public\Public Backups\GWn\N360_BACKUP which would account for Norton's allocating a new N360_BACKUP folder in the one pointed to by the Mapping.

 

Therefore, I'm thinking of Disconnecting the current Z: mapping and re-Mapping it to: \\HPd\Public\Public Backups\GWn to see if that solves the problem of an N360_BACKUP folder inside an N360_BACKUP folder.

 

Also, I am thinking of MOVEing all of the OLD backup files to a NEW folder named something like OLD_N360_BACKUPS so they could be copied to our new location if ever needed (now that I see that this can be done).

 

Then, I will start on the steps in your previous communication.

 

Your thoughts?

Sitting still until I Hear from you...

Jim

 

Jim you may well be correct in your assumptions but after a lot of effort it is working, now!

 

I am a firm believer in - if it is not broke then do not fix it!

 

Maybe that would have been the thing to do in the first place but is it necessary now?  If you do not remap then you will not need to move your old backup files.

 

I suspect that some re-mapping went on in the past and that is quite possibly what caused the issues but that is just speculation and probably not relevant.

 

Up to you.

 

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

OK, I agree with you; it is working now;let's leave well enough alone. I'll begin working thru your instructions...

 

We've spent 5 days to get this far (VERY much appreciated!!!).

 

I'll get back when I'm finished...

 

 

Finally! after 5days of your VERY helpful assistance!!!!!!

1. I deleted all of the old backup files.

2. Checked "restore possibilities" - Nothing as suspected.

3. The only Backupset name available was "GWn Backup". I set it upfor weekly on Saturdays at 9:00p

4. Setup "What" to back up.

5. Checked out the "Preview" of what was to be backed up; adjusted it some to minimize the amount. Ran the Backup MANUALLY (successfully).

6. Successfully restored 2 of the files I was worred about. Restored !!!

7. Great idea! I'll probably try this also; never hurts to have a second backup.

 

I want to take this opportunity to thank you SOOO MUCH for you help!

I have become so much more comfortable with Norton's Backup procedures. Actually, they are not really that "User Friendly" for the average person; and I made my living with computers before I retired. NOw I understand how they "tick".

 

I think we can mark this one completed!!!

Thank you! Excellent job!

Jim

I am delighted that all is now solved Jim.

 

And that you now seem more comfortable with the software.  

 

I might normally suggest that you mark a post as the "solution" but I suspect it is spread over too many.    ;-)

 

One warning to leave you with.  You have set the backup to run at a set time.  You should be aware that Norton will not wake a sleeping computer.  So if your machine has gone to sleep at 9 pm on a Saturday the backup will not run, ditto if it is turned off.  Probably not a serious issue but I thought you should be aware of it.  I believe it will try and catch up at a suitable point after the appointed time, but I am not sure.

 

All the best.

I was wondering how you had a backup folder inside the backup folder but the way you had it mapped explains that.

It always creates the N360_Backup folder as a subfolder to the backup location.

 

Here is something you may be interested in.

The files arestore.exe and arestore.loc are the "portable" restore files.

If you place copies of those files in your "GWn" folder (not the backup folder but one level above), you should be able to restore files from your desktop without having 360 installed.

 

Just double click the arestore.exe file from the desktop and you should be able to restore files.

Not as handy as going through the norton backup drive but if your in a bind at least you can access your backups from the desktop.

 

Dave

 

Fantastic tip Dave!  :smileyhappy:

 

Where in the manual did you find that?  :smileywink:

tzackin:

Thanks for the feedback but I am always logged in as an Admin.  Toggling the Backup Drive and restarting didn't help. 

How long have you run Norton?   Did you ever have Norton Backup Drive?   Wondering, if you tried Norton refresh install.    Have you asked Norton Support? 

Thanks for the feedback but I am always logged in as an Admin.  Toggling the Backup Drive and restarting didn't help. sad