GigaBack Support - Frequently Asked Questions

Registration questions:

Why should I register? You may use the software for an evaluation period (30 days); after that, you either have to register, or uninstall it. This program is protected under international law and violators will be prosecuted. The software will stop working after the 30 day trial has expired.

How do I register? Simply email us for payment instructions. After payment is processed you will receive a registration key.

General questions:

What is a Backup Set? The software GUI works with data organized in Backup Sets. To backup or restore your data, you need to create a Backup Set defining which files to operate with, where to back them up, and when to update the backup content.

What maximum amount of data can I back up? There is only one limitation on data size due to our use of ZIP compression: the size of each catalog archive cannot exceed 4 GBs. The software does this automatically when it generates the archive. Note the software can back up any size file. Consequently, if you were to back up a 20 GB file, it would be broken down into five 4 GB archive sets.

Does software handle different time stamp conventions between NTFS and FAT? Yes, this difference does not influence backup procedure.

Can I back up an open file which is in use by another program? Yes, if you use Windows NT/2000/XP. The software has a special kernel driver that allows you to back up opened files. It gains access to a file on the kernel level.

Can software run as a service on Windows NT/2000/XP? To run periodical backups the software uses the standard Windows scheduler that is run as a service on Windows NT/2000/XP. The scheduler starts backups whether or not you're logged on to the computer.

Can I perform backup of different files or folders at a time? Yes. You can backup as many files or folders as you need. For details, see Backup Set Wizard page.

Can the program do a full restore to a blank hard drive? Yes, the program can do this. However, the program is not intended for backing up system files and you can not use it for imaging the whole operating system, only what is needed to log on to the backup server and restore your files.

Is there an easy way to create Backup Set for My Documents and Windows Settings? Yes. The software has templates for most standard Backup Sets.

Why are the dates in the ZIP files not correct when I view them from WinZip? We wanted to make the software GUI portable: it must work on both Windows and UNIX. That's why the date format is a little different from a standard ZIP format for DOS (Windows). We use the UNIX format for the date. The software GUI works with this date format without any problems. Other programs (like WinZip) show the wrong date, but when they unzip files, the date is of no importance. This is not a bug, it is needed for UNIX operations.

Why are there many files with "...zip.zNNN" and "...zip.cat" extensions in the target folder instead of just one large backup archive? When the software backs up data, it makes multiple 4 GB backup archives. This allows for file spanning and increases reliability and the speed of the restore process.

ZIP format does not support native spanning and that's why the software generates archive volumes no larger than 4 GBs. Each ".zNNN" file is a volume. Don't worry, it's a standard ZIP file, but it contains only a part of the backed up files. Restore wizard automatically works with split files.

How to map or disconnect network drive during backup?

1. Double-click on a Backup Set to edit it
2. Go to External programs page
3. Add a new external command.
4. Use "net" DOS command. (type "net /?" in the command prompt to get more information)

ADD:

How to add a new backup Set? Use Add a new Backup Set command from Sets menu. It opens a new Backup Set Wizard. Just follow instructions of the Wizard to add a new Backup Set.

How to add a log of an external program to the backup log?

1. Activate External commands page of the Backup Set Wizard
2. Add the external command that you want to execute.
3. Add the external command with the path = $(AddToLog) and command line = name of the report file of the external program.

BACKUP:

How to backup all files?

1. Select a Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click Sets menu.
3. Select Run full backup...

How to backup only new or changed files?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click the Sets menu.
3. Select Run incremental backup...

How to get a list of files to backup?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click the Sets menu.
3. Select File to backup...

COPY:

How to copy the local backup archive to a floppy?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click Sets menu.
3. Select Copy local backup archive...

How to copy source files to...?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click the Sets menu.
3. Select Run full copy... to copy all source files from the Backup set
3. Select Run incremental copy... to copy only new or changed source files from the Backup Set.

How to copy software GUI repair files to a floppy?

1. Select the File menu.
2. Select Save/Restore repair information command.

How to copy a log of an external program to the backup log?

1. Activate External commands page of the Backup Set Wizard
2. Add the external command that you want to execute.
3. Add the external command with the path = $(AddToLog) and command line = name of the report file of the external program.

CHANGE:

How to change (view) the Backup Set properties?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click the Sets menu.
3. Select Edit Backup Set... to open a Backup Set Wizard

How to change shortcut keys?

1. Select Settings command at the File menu.
2. Activate Hotkeys page.
3. Select a menu item from the list to change its hotkey.
4. Set your pointer to Hot Key edit box.
5. Type your new shortcut key
6. Click Assign. button

DECODE:

How to decode encrypted files?

1. Select Decode encrypted files command at the File menu.
2. Add files to decode, by browsing the files.
3. Select username and type a password.
4. Press Decode button.

DELETE:

How to delete a Backup Set?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Click the Sets menu.
3. Select Delete backup set...

How to delete saved files from the Backup Set?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Activate Restore tab.
3. Select files or folders in the tree of saved files.
4. Select Delete selected item command at the Commands menu.
5. Press "Yes" to delete.

ENCRYPT:

How to encrypt backup archives?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Select Edit Backup Set... command at the Sets menu.
3. Activate Backup Storage page of the Backup Set Wizard.
4. Select an encryption key there.

FIND:

How to find a backed up file or folder?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Activate Restore tab.
3. Select the file or folder in the tree of saved files.
4. Select Find... command at the Commands menu.
5. Fill in the fields.
6. Click "OK"
7. Click the Find next... menu to search again.

REFRESH:

How to refresh the tree of backed up files?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Activate Restore tab.
3. Select Refresh contents of active child window command at the Commands menu.

RESTORE:

How to restore a few saved files?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Activate Restore tab.
3. Select the necessary files
4. Select the Restore button.

SCHEDULE:

How to schedule a backup?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Select Edit Backup Set... command at the Sets menu.
3. Activate Scheduling page of the wizard and edit the schedule properties.

SPLIT:

How to split a large file into a few smaller parts?

1. Select File splitter wizard command at the File menu.
2. Select a file to split.
3. Select the folder where you want to put the split file.
4. Enter volume size, or the total number of resulting files.
5. Click Split to start.

NOTE: In addition to the resulting files, a BAT file will be generated in order to laminate the resulting files back to the original files.

VIEW:

How to view backed up files or logs?

1. Select Backup Set from the software GUI .
2. Activate Restore tab to view a tree of backed up files.
3. Activate Log tab to view logs.

If you need additional support please contact us at support@gigaback.com and a member of our technical support team will assist you.