Attention Office 2007 Users:
The option Microsoft Office under Personal Documents Backup does not include the new .x extensions. If you have saved files created in Office 2007 they will most likely include an X at the end of the file extension; i.e. Word files were previously Name.doc but in 2007 they are Name.docx. If you would like these files to be included in your backup you will need to add a new category under personal documents. Click here for instructions to create a new category and a list of recommended extensions for Office 2007.
ArcSoft Backup Guide - PC
ArcSoft Backup Guide - Mac
ArcSoft Restore Guide - PC
ArcSoft Restore Guide - Mac
Q: How do I select where my backup is being saved?
A: When setting up the backup you will see an option for Backup Destination. In the drop box you will see either a CD/DVD burner selected (if you have one on your system) or a listing of Hard Drive. When Hard Drive is selected there will be an additional box below that with a directory listing for your backup. To select where the backup will be stored click the browse button to the right of this box and select the "SimpleDrive" under My Computer. If you are using Vista you cannot select the root letter of the SimpleDrive. You will need to create a folder on the SimpleDrive and choose that as the destination. This can be done by clicking the New Folder button during the Browse process.
Q: Why do I get a message that there is not enough space or the drive is read only when trying to backup?
A: There are two possible reasons for this. If you are using Mac you will need to format the drive before you can copy or backup files to it. The drive ships formatted NTFS which is Read Only to Mac. You can find instructions for formatting at this link: http://www.simpletech.com/support/faq/signature_hard_disk_drives.php#2
If you are using Vista the issue lies in the backup destination. In Vista you cannot select the root letter of the SimpleDrive. You will need to create a folder on the SimpleDrive and choose that as the destination. This can be done by clicking the New Folder button during the Browse process.
Q: How do I view the files I have backed up?
A: You cannot directly use or view the files you have backed up using ArcSoft Total Media Backup. These files are combined into a series of 2GB archive files to protect them from accidental modification and viruses. To view what files are in a specific backup, choose Restore from the Main Menu of ArcSoft and select where your backup is stored. On the following page highlight the backup that you would like to review and choose open. Click next and choose the Advanced Restore option, then click next again. On the following screen you will see a menu similar to Windows Explorer where you can browse through the folders and files included in your backup. You will not be able to access or modify the file without restoring it to your system.
Q: How do I select what drives are included in my backup?
A: On the main screen for ArcSoft Total Media backup you will have a choice of Options in the top bar next to file. Click options and then options from the drop down menu. Under Photo Video Music Options and Personal Documents Options you will see Checkboxes for what drives are being backed up. Uncheck any drives that you do not want included in the backup. You will need to make this change on both Photo Video Music and Personal Documents if you would like the setting to be applied to both types of backup.
Q: Why does the program tell me to insert a disc?
A: This generally means that you have selected your CD/DVD writer as your backup destination. Make sure that your destination is set to Hard Drive and you have selected the drive letter of the SimpleDrive.
Q: Why does my backup freeze before completing?
A: This problem generally occurs when doing an Advanced Backup. The Advanced Backup option is for selecting specific folders or files to be backed up. This option is not for backing up your entire C drive, program files, or operating system files. If you attempt to select your entire drive or folders that contain system files the backup will freeze when it encounters files that cannot be copied. We recommend using the Personal Documents option for your backup so that problem files can be eliminated from the backup before it begins.
Q: How do I make the button work?
A: Pressing the button on the drive will perform a backup only if one has been scheduled in the software. Make sure that you have run the ArcSoft install and rebooted the computer at the end of the process. This will activate the button manager on your system. In the ArcSoft Total Media Backup you will need to Schedule a backup for the button to perform. On the Main Menu of ArcSoft select Backup/Scheduled Backup. Select the type of backup you would like to perform and pick a time for it to run. Do not select the "Run Once" option. When you have completed this setup, pressing the button will perform that backup operation. If you schedule more than one backup pressing the button will perform the next backup on the list, rotating through the active backups with each additional press.
Q: Why doesn't my button work in Vista?
A: The Button Manager program is blocked by Vista at Start Up. To allow the button manager, click on Blocked Startup Programs in your System Tray (by the clock). Go to Run Blocked Program and select inihid. That is the file for the Button Manager Software. There is currently no way to permanently enable this selection.
Q: I have done several incremental backups. Which backup do I select to restore all my files?
A: To restore all files that have been backed up, you will need to go through more than one restore procedure. Each backup only contains the files that were new at the time of that backup. It is best to start with the oldest backup and restore each one until you have gotten all the files that you are looking for. If you do not start with the oldest backup you run the risk of copying older files over newer files.
Q: How do I add compression to my backup?
A: ArcSoft will automatically combine all backed up files into 2GB archives for safe keeping. If you would like to add additional compression to these files there is a setting for that as well. On the main screen for ArcSoft Total Media backup you will have a choice of Options in the top bar next to file. Click options and then options from the drop down menu. Under Photo Video Music Options and Personal Documents Options you will see a Checkbox for Compression. You will need to make this change on both Photo Video Music and Personal Documents if you would like the setting to be applied to both types of backup. Setting compression will add extra time to the backup process, so it is not recommended.
Q: How do I password protect my backup?
A: Only the Advanced Backup option offers password protection. On the Back Up > Settings page you will see a checkbox for Set Password. Checking this box will open a window to select and confirm your password. This password will then be required to restore any files in the backup. If your password is lost there will be no way to access the files in your backup.
Adding Office 2007 Extensions to Total Media Backup
On the Main Menu of Total Media Backup move the mouse over "Backup" and left click on "Personal Documents".
Click "Add New Category" at the bottom of the screen.
Select a name, such as "Office 2007", and click next.
Click "Add New Format" on the bottom right.
A box will appear to manually enter the extension and a description.
You will need to add each extension separately.
For Word 2007 add .DOCX and .DOTX
For Excel 2007 add .XLSX, XLSM, and XLTX
For PowerPoint 2007 add .PPTX, .PPSX and .POTX
For Access 2007 add .ACCDB
Enter the information and click OK.
Click Add New Format again for each additional extension.
Click Save when all extensions of been created.
You will now have a category for Office 2007 or the name you picked.
Make sure there is a Check in the box so that these files will be included in the backup.