Fab's autobackup

[Fred Claus]

I'm new to the software. Just got it yesterday. I will soon have a client getting a new computer and needing all her data transferred. Are there any tutorials out there for the software?

I tried playing around but was a bit confused by the "transfer" section. It only allowed me to transfer from the c drive to the c drive. I assume that means I do a back up on the one and restore to the new one? What then is transfer for?

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[Archon Prime]

.....transfer is transfer. From one drive to another. If you are moving the data from one machine to another you use the backup option then restore it onto the new computer. https://forums.fpnet.fr/

 

[Larry Sabo]

.....transfer is transfer. From one drive to another.

... or from windows.old on the same computer to the new user account, or from a borked user account that contains the user's data to a new but empty one created automatically after a crash.

 

[Fred Claus]

Thanks Larry, That is good to know. I had that situation happen a couple years ago and it took forever to get all his data back. WIsh I knew about this program back then.

 

[Sky-Knight]

You shouldn't need much of a tutorial, the application is incredibly self explanatory. The only things to keep straight are the first three buttons, and I've never used the transfer functionality. You run the thing, click backup, aim it at a drive, pick a user, point it at a folder and let it rip. Restore is little more than file open... but you do have to login as the user you're storing once so you have a profile to target.

By the way, I despise backup solutions in general, hate ALL of them for various reasons. FABs is the only one I can just recommend, it's easy to use, understand, and is quite transparent about everything. It's the only tool I've ever found that can keep up with my scripts, yet let me still feel as in control as the scripts. Best $50 I've ever spent.

 

[Diggs]

By the way, I despise backup solutions in general, hate ALL of them for various reasons. FABs is the only one I can just recommend, it's easy to use, understand, and is quite transparent about everything. It's the only tool I've ever found that can keep up with my scripts, yet let me still feel as in control as the scripts. Best $50 I've ever spent.

Agreed on everything but you missed a big one. The developer @fabs is very responsive and active. That's a huge plus for me.

 

[Porthos]

Also, Users are generally bad computer house keepers. YOU need to look around at like the root of the drive and for starters see if there are any extra files and folders you need that are not in the default listed locations for backup.

 

[fincoder]

Are there any tutorials out there for the software?

Apart from the suggestions above, there is a very active thread here which is frequented by the developer and all the technibble members that use Fabs:
https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/fabs-autobackup-7-pro-a-must-have-tool-for-techs.78308/

What then is transfer for?

Some examples of the different options:
- Run Fabs on the client's computer and use Backup to an external drive or network share, then on the new computer (or after a clean install of Windows) you use Restore to bring that backed up data back.
- You can remove the drive from the client's computer and connect it to a new computer to Transfer the data directly from the original drive to the new computer. I use this method if the original computer is no longer booting, or to save data transfer time (only done once).

 

[timeshifter]

Also, Users are generally bad computer house keepers. YOU need to look around at like the root of the drive and for starters see if there are any extra files and folders you need that are not in the default listed locations for backup.

Agree 100%. I'd never do a nuke and pave with just a fab's backup. I ALWAYS do a full system backup or image backup if I'm formatting and reinstalling - something I do very little of these days. That's because instead of a backup, wipe and reinstall I'm installing an SSD, then the OS and then restore the data from the old drive.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Apart from the suggestions above, there is a very active thread here which is frequented by the developer and all the technibble members that use Fabs:
https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/fabs-autobackup-7-pro-a-must-have-tool-for-techs.78308/

Some examples of the different options:
- Run Fabs on the client's computer and use Backup to an external drive or network share, then on the new computer (or after a clean install of Windows) you use Restore to bring that backed up data back.
- You can remove the drive from the client's computer and connect it to a new computer to Transfer the data directly from the original drive to the new computer. I use this method if the original computer is no longer booting, or to save data transfer time (only done once).

Actually even in cases where I've moved the drive I still do a backup and restore, it leaves the backup on the target drive which helps when something gets lost later.

As for the suggestions to wander a drive looking in nonstandard locations, I suppose that's a thing for residential work but my business users all know, keep your crap in known locations or it's going away. I won't bother wasting time looking in archaic places for files. The same warning is given to the few residential clients that come in my door. But then again, in most of these cases the old drive is mounted inside the machine, or inserted into a USB enclosure so the user can get at what might be missed. So take a quick peek if you want, but I find it better to just make sure the old drive is in an accessible place.

 

[Porthos]

in most of these cases the old drive is mounted inside the machine, or inserted into a USB enclosure so the user can get at what might be missed. So take a quick peek if you want, but I find it better to just make sure the old drive is in an accessible place.

Great plan for when replacing the drive. Most of the time for me, It is a restore to the same drive after a nuke.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Great plan for when replacing the drive. Most of the time for me, It is a restore to the same drive after a nuke.

Fair point, these days it seems like I'm doing nothing but replacing rust with ssd... first world problems to be sure, but it either means a system leaving with a disconnected drive in it, or a growing stack of working platters with no home... the reality is both is happening!

 

[Sky-Knight]

I like to think we're pretty hard core but deliberately losing your clients' data if they don't follow your rules is taking it to a new level.

I'm not sure that having a separate backup ("in most of these cases") mitigates this as it relies on your client spotting that something's missing, notifying you, and then you putting it back where it should have been in the first place. I know from experience that some of those clients will go to someone else to have the job done properly as we've picked up a number of clients in exactly this way.

Following up a half-arsed (US: half-assed) job with a spectacular recovery doesn't seem as impressive as getting it right first time. But maybe that's just me.

I understand what you're saying, but what you're digging at is a suckers game. It's impossible to look through every single folder on every single drive to find every possible bit of personal data. Users need trained to stick that data in the default locations designed for this purpose so techs can get it off in the event of fault. The tech taking responsibility for user ignorance, just perpetuates further ignorance. If you want to burn your day dealing with people that refuse to adhere to standards established 20 years ago, go for it, I'll stick with people that pay for good work that doesn't eat half the day looking for a lost folder.

Sure if something comes up, you take care of it. But it's impossible to ensure all data is moved all the time, unless you image the entire disk over.

 

[GTP]

Users need trained to stick that data in the default locations designed for this purpose so techs can get it off in the event of fault.

They never have - and they never will. This is why if you do your job properly it's easy enough.

work that doesn't eat half the day looking for a lost folder.

It only takes a few minutes to several minutes to find all their stuff. If it takes half a day so be it, i'll charge for the time so that my client is happy.

But it's impossible to ensure all data is moved all the time,

Yes, it is. care and attention to detail is what wins in the end....
But then I'm predominately residential, so ...what do I know?

 

[Fred Claus]

Thanks for the help all. I think I"m going to look around and read all I can about this software. I have plenty of clients I could use this on right now.

 

[Porthos]

I have plenty of clients I could use this on right now.

Remember the program is for your use as a tech doing backups, Not to give/sell the actual program to clients.

 

[frase]

I generally ask clients if they own or use any accountancy software. Also if they may have data stored in odd locations. I image a drive first with Macrium Reflect to an external drive, then run fabs. Just gives me more security that way, sure may take longer but better than everything going to crap.

 

[Fred Claus]

Found when I went to use the tool that I had not in fact purchased a copy, I set up an account and got a free trial version. Just got my valid license last night and did my first job with it today. What a power piece of kit. I love it. thanks for recommending it guys.

 

[Porthos]

What a power piece of kit. I love it.

And he keeps adding and improving it as well.

 

[Fred Claus]

One suggestion I'd like to see added is two parts
1. allow us the ability to sell linceses to install on client machines.
2. Set up a service that I could automatically run a backup of a computer on a particular day and time.

I have some clients that want a local and an online backup. For online only backups I use Carbonite, however for local and online I recommend Acronis. With this fab's autobackup I could still use Carbonite and just use Fab's for the local backup.