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ArcSoft Total Media Backup - Backup Guide for Mac


ArcSoft Backup Modes and Instructions for Mac

The ArcSoft Total Media Backup software features several options when creating a backup. This document will explain the differences between each backup type and instructions for setting up the backup that will work best for you.

On the main page of the Total Media Backup software there is a choice for Backup. This selection gives four options: Photo Video Music, Personal Documents, Advanced Backup, and Scheduled Backup. The first three offer various backup options while the Scheduled Backup allows you to set a time for each backup type to run.

  1. Photo, Video, Music
    This mode scans all selected drives for files that fall into these three categories and makes an archive of those files to the destination.

    Setup
    Move mouse over Backup and click on Photo, Video, and Music.

    Section one will have selection boxes for the three file types. By default all will be checked. If you would like to eliminate one or more of the file types, uncheck the box next to that item.

    Section two will have options for Full Backup or Incremental Backup.
    Full Backup will make an archive of every file that is detected during the drive scan process. This is the option you must choose for your initial backup. Subsequent full backups will make an additional archive of all files. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.
    Incremental Backup will create an archive of any files that have been added or modified since your initial backup. This option will not delete or change any files in previous backups. Older versions and files deleted from your system will remain in your previous backup sets. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.

    Select the type of backup you would like and click next.

    The software will now perform a scan for the file types selected on the previous screen. When the process completes the View Backup List and Rescan buttons will become active and a listing for Space Required will appear. The Backup File Summary box will list the quantity and capacity of the files to be archived.

    On the top right is Backup Destination. This box will list the Volume where your backup will be stored. To backup to the SimpleDrive click Browse and select the volume for the SimpleDrive on the left. It will be listed as SimpleDrive or the name you chose during the format if it was changed. The box will then show Volume/SimpleDrive.

    Below this area you can select a name for your backup. The default is the current date.
    If you would like to add a description of your backup you can enter this information in the Comments box.

    Click Backup at the bottom right to begin the backup process.

  2. Personal Documents
    This mode scans all selected drives for files that fall into the categories selected and makes an archive of those files to the destination. This backup type includes Photo, Video, and Music as well as additional file types like Email and Documents.

    Setup
    Move mouse over Backup and click on Personal Documents

    Section one will have selection boxes for the file types that are preset. Hover over each item; photo, video, etc. to see the file extensions that are included in each category. By default all will be checked. If you would like to eliminate one or more of the file types, uncheck the box next to that item.
    If you would like to include a file type in the backup that is not part of the preset list, click Add New Category at the bottom of the screen. This will open a window where you can choose a name for your new category. Select a name and click next.
    Click Add New Format on the bottom left. A box will appear to manually enter the extension and a description. Enter the information and click OK. Click Save when all extensions of been selected.

    Section two will have options for Full Backup or Incremental Backup.
    Full Backup will make an archive of every file that is detected during the drive scan process. This is the option you must choose for your initial backup. Subsequent full backups will make an additional archive of all files. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.
    Incremental Backup will create an archive of any files that have been added or modified since your initial backup. This option will not delete or change any files in previous backups. Older versions and files deleted from your system will remain in your previous backup sets. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.

    Select the type of backup you would like and click next.

    The software will now perform a scan for the file types selected on the previous screen. When the process completes the View Backup List and Rescan buttons will become active and a listing for Space Required will appear. The Backup File Summary box will list the quantity and capacity of the files to be archived.

    On the top right is Backup Destination. This box will list the Volume where your backup will be stored. To backup to the SimpleDrive click Browse and select the volume for the SimpleDrive on the left. It will be listed as SimpleDrive or the name you chose during the format if it was changed. The box will then show Volume/SimpleDrive.

    Below this area you can select a name for your backup. The default is the current date.
    If you would like to add a description of your backup you can enter this information in the Comments box.

    Click Backup at the bottom right to begin the backup process.

  3. Advanced Backup
    This mode allows you to pick specific files and folders to be backed up rather than letting the software scan for file types. This option is not to select your entire C drive. This is to limit the files or folders backed up. Selecting your entire C drive or any folders containing system or program files will result in a bad backup. This is the only mode that allows for password protection of your backup.

    Setup
    Move mouse over Backup and click on Advanced Backup

    This page shows the files and folders on your system. Folders and Volumes are on the left, the files of the selected folder or volume will appear on the right. Clicking the arrow next to a selection will expand the item to show the contents. Check the boxes next to the files or folders that will be included in the backup. Selecting your entire Mac HD is not recommended and will result in a bad backup. After all selections are made click Next to proceed.

    On the top right is Backup Destination. This box will list the Volume where your backup will be stored. To backup to the SimpleDrive click Browse and select the volume for the SimpleDrive on the left. It will be listed as SimpleDrive or the name you chose during the format if it was changed. The box will then show Volume/SimpleDrive.

    Below this area you can select a name for your backup. The default is the current date.

    In the Backup Type area select Full or Incremental Backup.
    Full Backup will make an archive of every file that is detected during the drive scan process. This is the option you must choose for your initial backup. Subsequent full backups will make an additional archive of all files. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.
    Incremental Backup will create an archive of any files that have been added or modified since your initial backup. This option will not delete or change any files in previous backups. Older versions and files deleted from your system will remain in your previous backup sets. No files or previous backups are modified or deleted by additional backups.

    If you would like to add a description of your backup you can enter this information in the Comments box.

    Click Backup at the bottom right to begin the backup process.

  4. Scheduled Backup
    This mode allows you to set each of the three previous backup types to a schedule. A scheduled backup must be created for the one click button on the SimpleDrive to work.

    Move mouse over Backup and click on Schedule Backup

    Along the top are the three backup types. Click on the type of backup you would like to create. Refer to the above sections for the respective backups for specific setup information. When creating a scheduled backup it is best to choose Incremental Backup. If Full Backup is selected, each backup will contain all files and will rapidly fill the SimpleDrive. On the final page of the setup is a box for Schedule Settings. Select the schedule you would like and click Schedule It.

    In the Backup Schedule box you will see the backup you have created. Clicking on the backup listing will activate several choices.

    • Reschedule – Change the time or frequency of the backup
    • Back up Now – Perform the highlighted backup
    • View Report – Shows a report history of previous times this backup has run
    • Disable/Enable – Turn backup off or on
    • Stop – Cancel backup that is currently running
    • Trash Can – Delete selected schedule

    Click Back or Cancel to return to the main menu.