FAQs and Troubleshooting Tips
Frequently Asked Questions - StorageSync™
- I get the message "Program is already running. Can't create process." and I can't do a backup. Why?
- I press on the "Backup" button and get the message "Nothing to backup". Why?
- I get the message "Wrong Media Drive. Cannot backup any files." Why?
- I get the message "Please uninstall the current version of StorageSync and start the Wizard again". Why?
- My backup seems to take a long time, is there anything I can do to help speed this process up?
- What else should I know about backups?
- Do you recommend Encryption or Compression for my backup?
- I want to re-format my hard drive after I complete a backup, will I be able to just "Restore" everything?
- I'm planning on upgrading to Vista and will be backing up my XP system, can this be restored to my new Vista system?
- I have several computers and want to backup all of them; can I use my SimpleTech external drive for this?
- Will Storage Sync work with Vista?
An issue has been discovered with older versions of StorageSync software. SimpleTech strongly encourages you to upgrade to the latest version of the software, version 1.42, and do a new backup. You can download this version at the link below.
http://www.simpletech.com/support/support_downloads_storagesync1.42.php
- I get the message "Program is already running. Can't create process." and I can't do a backup. Why?
The default setting is to load the StorageSync program in your Startup folder. This will open the program when your computer is started. You can get into the program by locating the small icon in the lower right hand corner of your monitor. (In the system tray) It will be with other small icons by the clock. Find the one that indicates StorageSync Backup and right click on it. This will bring up a small menu and then select "Launch StorageSync".
- I press on the "Backup" button and get the message "Nothing to backup". Why?
In the upper left center of the screen is an area that asks you to "Select Files and Directories for Backup".
Just below that you will see drives you can select to backup. Just to the left of each drive listing is a small empty square and further left is a small "+" sign. Click on the "+" and a list of the directories included in the selected drive is
displayed.
You can click on the small empty square to the left of each folder you wish to backup and a check mark will appear, or click on the small square next to the drive letter to select all of the folders for backup and a check mark will appear next to all of the folders.
Once your selections are complete, press on the "Backup" button in the lower right hand portion of the screen to start the backup process.
- I get the message "Wrong Media Drive. Cannot backup any files." Why?
This message indicates that a "Target" drive has not been selected. On the left side of the backup window there is a column of options. Select the option "Drives" and it will take you to a new screen. This screen has two boxes, "Source Drives" and "Target Media Drives." You will see your external drive listed in the "Source Drive" box. Left click on the external drive listing one time, then click on the arrow pointing to the right to move the drive to the "Target Media Drive" box.
Select "Backup" from the column of options on the left. On the Backup screen, select the files and directories you want to backup and press the "Backup" button.
- I get the message "Please uninstall the current version of StorageSync and start the Wizard again". Why?
Click "OK" on the message and then remove the StorageSync CD from your CD-ROM drive. Then start the StorageSync program from either the desktop or system tray icon.
- My backup seems to take a long time, is there anything I can do to help speed this process up?
Before performing the backup procedure run a disk defrag on your internal hard drive. This process will organize your hard drive and greatly improve the speed of backup, as well as improving your system performance. To perform a disk defrag, open my computer and right click on your C drive. Choose properties and then go to the tools tab. There you should see a button labeled Defragment Now. Click this button and follow the steps to defrag your hard drive. You should also empty your internet cache. If you are using internet explorer you can follow these steps to empty your cache. Open internet explorer and click on tools. Then from the menu choose internet options. On this page you will find a button for delete files. Click this button to clear your internet cache. There is no need to delete your cookies. Being selective with your backup will also shorten the time required. Clicking the + next to C and selecting specific files and folders will help. It is not recommended to backup the Windows folder, as this contains many running files that will create errors in your backup and slow the process. The storage sync software is only intended for backing up data. Windows will need to be reinstalled before any restore would be possible. It is not recommended that you use your computer during the backup process. Disabling your antivirus software and any other running programs will improve your results.
- What else should I know about backups?
"Backup" means more than one copy of your data. While StorageSync is a very reliable program, it is still possible to run into issues. If the data is important to you, it is best to have it in at least two locations at all times.
- Do you recommend Encryption or Compression for my backup?
Encryption and compression are not recommended. Leaving these settings off will speed the process and also keep your files in their original format. The benefit is that in the event of a problem your files will still be able to be accessed manually.
- I want to re-format my hard drive after I complete a backup, will I be able to just "Restore" everything?
No. The Storage Sync backup program is a basic file by file backup program. You should not try to backup the Windows operating system or your program files as these cannot be restored, they will need to be re-installed. When you re-install the operating system and program files to your hard drive the directory structure will be different. When this happens you cannot just "Restore" data to the internal drive. You will either need to select the files and folders you wish to restore and then choose the option to "Restore to selected destination path" or select the files and folders you wish to move to your internal drive and copy and paste this data.
- I'm planning on upgrading to Vista and will be backing up my XP system, can this be restored to my new Vista system?
The Storage Sync backup program is a basic file by file backup program. You should not try to backup the Windows operating system or your program files as these cannot be restored, they will need to be re-installed. If you have included the Windows operating system in your backup, it will cause the Storage Sync program to hang when trying to use the "Restore" feature in Vista. The best way to move information from XP to Vista would be to download a program "Easy Transfer" from Microsoft. This program will assist with moving all needed data from an older operating system to your external hard drive and then into Vista.
- I have several computers and want to backup all of them; can I use my SimpleTech external drive for this?
Yes, you can use the external hard drive with multiple computers. You cannot use the Storage Sync backup program to backup multiple computers. The Storage Sync backup program is a "single computer" backup program. If you try and backup a second computer, it will overwrite the first computer's backup. If you wish to backup more than one computer to the SimpleTech external drive, you will need a different backup program.
- Will Storage Sync work with Vista?
Yes. The Storage Sync software will provide the same functionality in Vista that it did in XP/2000. We do not recommend attempting to "Restore" files to a Vista computer that were backed up of from previous version of Windows.