Backup for Workgroups - FAQs

Do you have a question about Backup for Workgroups but you are afraid to ask?  We have typed up the following FAQs - just for you.  But don't be shy if you have a question that is not covered here - send us an email with your question for the fastest response.

Check out our Support Center if you are looking for answers to questions that start with "How do I...?" and more How To and Troubleshooting information.

FAQ Categories

• Pre-Sales and Purchasing Questions
• Backup Questions
• Open File Add-On Questions
• Restore Questions
• Data Repository / Storage Questions
• Exchange Server Questions
• SQL Server Questions
• Active Directory Questions
• Mirror Questions
• Silly Questions - Just for fun!

Pre-Sales and Purchasing Questions

• Does the 30-day trial software come with all the features available for use during the trial?
• How many computers can I backup during the trial period?
• What kind of software is Backup for Workgroups - is it Client / Server?
• What is a Backup Client?
• What is the Data Repository?
• Can I use the Open File Add-On during the trial period?
• Do I install Backup for Workgroups at my location or is it a web-service that I subscribe to?
• What versions of Windows does Backup for Workgroups run on?
• Does Backup for Workgroups run on Windows 32-bit and Windows 64-bit computers?
• Does Backup for Workgroups run as a Windows Service?
• Can I administer Backup for Workgroups using Remote Desktop?
• Is Backup for Workgroups a shareware product?
• How can I tell how many days are left in the trial period?
• Can I extend my trial version past 30-days?
• When I buy a license to enter into the 30-day trial software, do I need to uninstall the trial and reinstall the full version?
• Does Backup for Workgroups work with Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam software?
• Can I use Backup for Workgroups with another backup software program?
• Do I have to open any ports in my firewall to use Backup for Workgroups?
• What payment methods are accepted?
• If I place an order through the website, how long does it take to receive my License Keys?
• Do you offer discounts to non-profit organizations and educational institutions?
• What do I receive after placing an order?
• I have placed my order online but I have not received an email from Lockstep yet, what should I do?
• What is the upgrade policy?
• What is the support policy?

Backup Questions

• What types of computers can I backup with Backup for Workgroups?
• How many computers can I backup with Backup for Workgroups?
• How does Backup for Workgroups backup a computer?
• Does Backup for Workgroups support incremental or differential backups?
• How fast does Backup for Workgroups backup data?
• Is the backup data encrypted?
• Is the backup data compressed?
• Do I need to rebaseline periodically?
• How long does it take to backup a computer for the first time?
• How do I define what to backup?
• Can I create multiple backup sets or instructions for one computer?
• How do I schedule when a backup should run?
• How many revisions of a file does Backup for Workgroups store?
• Why does it seem that the progress bar showing the backup process sits at zero for a while?
• Can I backup over the Internet?
• Can I backup Network Shares?
• How do I monitor or make sure my backups are really running?
• Can Backup for Workgroups send me emails letting me know how my backups are running?

Open File Add-On Questions

• Can Backup for Workgroups backup open files?
• What is the Open File Add-On?
• Why do I need an Open File Add-On?
• Can I use the Windows Volume Shadow Services instead of your Open File Add-On?
• How does the Open File Add-On work?
• What versions of Windows does the Open File Add-On work with?
• How do I activate the Open File Add-On during the trial period?
• How can I check to make sure the Open File Add-On is activated and working?
• Does the Open File Add-On interact with Volume Shadow Services (VSS)?
• I have the Open File Add-On activated but some files are getting skipped in the backup process; what can I do?
• Can I purchase just an Open File Add-On license?
• If I use the Open File Add-On and a Backup Client license to backup my Exchange Server and/or SQL Server; is the backup data coherent?

Restore Questions

• Why is restoring data with Backup for Workgroups so easy?
• Is there something about disk-based storage that makes the restore process go so smoothly?
• What are the 4 preset restore options?
• How do I know which restore option to use?
• Can I restore my data to a different location?
• Can I restore my data to an entirely different computer?
• I just bought a new computer - what do I need to do to transfer all my data to the new computer?
• How fast is Backup for Workgroups at restoring data?

Data Repository / Data Storage Questions

• What is the Data Repository?
• What is the Data Repository Manager?
• What type of media can I use to store my backup data?
• Does Backup for Workgroups support RAID?
• How much storage capacity do I need to store my backup data?
• What do I do when my Data Repository is getting full?
• How do I replace my Data Repository with a new hard drive?
• Can I rotate my Data Repository drive media?

Exchange Server Questions

• What versions of Exchange Server can I backup with Backup for Workgroups?
• How does Backup for Workgroups backup my Exchange Server?
• How long does it take Backup for Workgroups to backup my Exchange Server?
• Does my Exchange Server get interrupted during the backup process?
• How much storage should I allocate to hold my Exchange Server backups?
• Before restoring my Exchange Server, is there anything I should do?
• How do I restore my Exchange Server?
• Can I roll-back my Exchange Server to a previous point in time?
• Does Backup for Workgroups support Mailbox Level Restore?
• How long does it take to restore an Exchange Server?
• Can I restore my Exchange Server to a different computer?

SQL Server Questions

• What versions of MS-SQL can be backed up with Backup for Workgroups?
• How does Backup for Workgroups backup my SQL Server?
• How long does it take Backup for Workgroups to backup my SQL Server?
• Does my SQL Server get interrupted during the backup process?
• How much storage should I allocate to hold my SQL backups?
• Before restoring my SQL Server, is there anything I should do?
• How do I restore my SQL databases?
• Can I roll-back my SQL databases to a previous point in time?
• How long does it take to restore a SQL databases?
• Can I restore my SQL data to a different computer?
• Can Backup for Workgroups backup non-Microsoft SQL Servers?
• If I use the Open File Add-On and a Backup Client license to backup my Exchange Server and/or SQL Server; is the backup data coherent?

Active Directory / Domain Controller Questions

• What is Active Directory?
• What is a Domain Controller?
• Why do I need to backup Active Directory?
• Do I need to use an Add-On to backup Active Directory?
• How do I activate the Open File Add-On or the Active Directory Add-On?
• How do I restore Active Directory?

Mirror Questions

• What is a Mirror?
• Does Backup for Workgroups have mirroring capabilities built-in?
• Can I use Backup for Workgroups as a general purpose mirror?
• Why should I mirror my backup data?
• Can Backup for Workgroups mirror a computer?
• Can I use the mirror for off-site storage?
• Can I mirror the Data Repository to more than one location?
• How do I setup the Backup for Workgroups Mirror?
• How does the Backup for Workgroups Mirror work?
• What type of equipment do I need in order to setup a Mirror?
• How do I add storage to the Mirror location?
• How do I use the Mirror to replace a primary storage location?
• Can I restore a file from a Mirror?

Silly Questions

• What is the meaning of life?
• How hot does it get in Phoenix, Arizona?
• How did Backup for Workgroups get its name?
• Is anyone at Lockstep really related to a famous rock drummer?
• Can Karl speed up the Internet?
• Is Vicki really a professional bowler?  What is her average?