Microsoft KB Archive/944182

= Frequently asked questions about the backup feature in Windows Live OneCare 2.0 =

Article ID: 944182

Article Last Modified on 11/9/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Live OneCare

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INTRODUCTION
This article contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the backup feature in Windows Live OneCare 2.0.



MORE INFORMATION
Q1: Why can't I make a backup to a second internal hard disk drive that I have on my computer?

A1: It is not safe to make a backup of data on the same hard disk. If the hard disk fails, the data and the backup would both be lost. Therefore, if you have two hard disk drives on your computer, Windows Live OneCare disallows this action.

There is also an option for advanced users in Windows Live OneCare 2.0 in which you can create a local network share and then make the backup on this network share. We recommend that only advanced users use this option because there is a risk of data being lost. In earlier versions of Windows Live OneCare, this option was available only in the centralized backup. But in Windows Live OneCare 2.0, this option is also available for the local (non-centralized) backup. This option will be available in the final release of the product.

'''Q2: Can I exclude folders from my backup? Why can't I include folders in my backup?'''

A2: The folder inclusion option is not available in Windows Live OneCare 2.0. This option was available in Windows Live OneCare 1.5. The folder inclusion option made sure that all files in a folder were backed up even if they did not pass the file selection rules. It was determined that this complexity was unwarranted. Therefore, changes were made in the file selection rules to make sure files that were unrecognized by the Windows Live OneCare rules engine were not left out by mistake. The file selection rules are as follows:
 * Windows Live OneCare scans all folders for files that match the selected file categories. If the files match the selected category, they are backed up. If the files match the system or application category, they are excluded. If the files match neither category, they are included. This means that Windows Live OneCare will back up all files that are of known data types, exclude all files that are known system and application types, and back up all files that are unknown file types. This makes sure that if a new data type appears or if you have created your own file name extensions, the files will be backed up.
 * Windows Live OneCare does not scan the Windows system folder.
 * Windows Live OneCare looks for specific file types in the Program Files folders because some applications still store data in this folder.

Folder exclusion is still supported. The link is located at the bottom of the file category page. If you select folder exclusion, the selected folder will not be scanned, and no files from that folder will be backed up.

There are separate rules and folders for online backup and centralized or local backup. The selections may be different for the two backup features. Because of the changes that are made to the file selection rules in Windows Live OneCare 2.0, a larger volume of files are backed up in Windows Live OneCare 2.0 than in earlier versions.

Q3: Does Windows Live OneCare 2.0 support versioning?

A3: No.

Q4: Why is the online backup feature available only for photos?

A4: Photos are the most irreplaceable data on the computer. Most other data can be recovered from other sources. There will be more online space available and additional data types supported in future versions.

Q5: Why are more volumes of files backed up in Windows Live OneCare 2.0?

A5: This is because Windows Live OneCare 2.0 backs up all files that are of unknown file types. In Windows Live OneCare 1.5, the backup engine does not back up unknown files types unless you explicitly included them by using the include folder option.

Q6: How is centralized backup different from the backup in Windows Live OneCare 1.5?

A6: There are two key features that are supported in centralized backup:
 * You only have to have one backup device to serve multiple computers in your circle.
 * A very simple configuration user interface enables you to set up a backup for all computers with one click.

By adding a network-attached storage device or USB/1394 removable disk on one computer in your Windows Live OneCare circle, the Windows Live OneCare circle can be configured for a secure backup that will occur periodically. This process is completely automatic. You do not have to buy CD or DVD media and perform a backup manually on each computer. You just have to connect the central backup device and then select the defaults and all computers in your Windows Live OneCare circle. After you do this, backups will be made to the central backup device automatically.

When a new computer is added to your Windows Live OneCare circle, the new computer also begins to make backups depending on how you configured the central backup. In a cost analysis, the USB disk is less expensive over time than purchasing CD or DVD media. Additionally, you do not have to perform manual backup processes on each computer.

Q7: Why can't centralized backup be performed on a CD or DVD media?

A7: It was determined that the backup process should require no user interaction, no knowledge of networking and storage technologies, or even knowledge of where or what types of data one has stored on their computer. Additionally, CD and DVD backups are not suitable for all backup goals. But you can still make manual backups to CD or DVD media for a single computer or for all the computers that are configured in the centralized backup plan.

'''Q8: What is the online photo backup feature? Why can't I find this feature in the product?'''

A8: Online photo backup is a feature that is introduced in Windows Live OneCare 2.0. It is a different type of backup feature. Online photo backup backs up your pictures to the MSN storage and safely maintains them. You can restore these pictures later from the MSN storage. These pictures are not shared and accessible only to persons who have your MSN password. This feature is available in Windows Live OneCare 2.0 beta. However, you must sign up separately to obtain this feature in Windows Live OneCare 2.0.

Q9: How do I view or manage my online pictures?

A9: When you sign up for the online photo backup, you will receive several more links in your backup user interface. These include online management and status links. The online status lets you delete some or all the photos and check the available space.

Q10: Why does Windows Live OneCare say that a USB/1394 removable disk is not suitable for centralized backup?

A10: This is because you must have at least 25 GB of free space on the removable disk.

Q11: Why does Windows Live OneCare not allow configuring eSATA drives for backup?

A11: Currently, Windows Live OneCare does not support backup to internal drives. eSATA drives appear as internal drives. In the final release of Windows Live OneCare 2.0, you can create a network share to enable backup to be made to the same computer. You can create a network share on the eSATA drive and use it for the backup.

Q12: Does Windows Live OneCare 2.0 support Windows Home Server?

A12: Yes. You can turn off the Windows Live OneCare backup feature, or you can use the backup feature in both Windows Live OneCare and Windows Home Server. When Windows Live OneCare detects that the Windows Home Server computer is making a backup, Windows Live OneCare displays an action item. You can click this action item to configure Windows Live OneCare to disable the Windows Live OneCare backup feature or to continue to use the backup feature in both Windows Live OneCare and Windows Home Server. This action item will be displayed only one time.

Q13: Can I use shared folders on a Windows Home Server-based computer for a Windows Live OneCare backup?

A13: Although you can use shared folders on a Windows Home Server-based computer for a Windows Live OneCare backup, we do not recommend it.

Keywords: kbhowto kbexpertisebeginner KB944182

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