Multiple Computer Online Backup Quick Start Guide
Summary
In a nutshell, the main Pro account is used as the master online backup account. For each machine you want to backup, create a free 2GB account and add these machines to the master account. This is done by adding the free (sub)accounts to the master account as friend accounts.
Step 1: Create Folders in Main account
Once all of the machines to be backed up are listed in the main account as friends, create a folder in the main account for each machine to backup. We suggest creating a 'Backup' folder and then creating a folder for each computer to backup beneath the 'Backup' folder.
Step 2: Set permissions
Select the first of the backup folders (this step will be repeated for each backup folder). Click the 'Share' button. Add a group for this machine (use the name of the machine if you want, or the last name of the person using the machine, etc.) After you add the group, you will be prompted for which friend to place in the group. Click (select) the friend that belongs in the group. After that, set the permissions for the group. Do this by checking all permissions. You are setting the permissions for the members of the group you created, on the folder that is currently selected. Repeat the above process for each machine to back up. You do not need to close the 'Share' window - you can select another folder while the 'Share' window is open.
At this point, all of the machines now have permission to backup into the their own folder within the main account. Also, they will only have permission (access) to see their own folders.
Step 3: Set backup instructions on each computer
On each machine to backup, sign into a 2GB account created for that machine. Open the File Manager application, and then create a scheduled backup, using the 'Backup' button.
Step 4: Schedule
In the Backup window, click the 'days of week' and set the 'time of day' for the backup to run. Once you have those set, click the 'Create / Update Scheduled Task' button. You will be prompted to enter a password. This is the password associated to the Windows username that you are currently logged in under. When the backup starts, it will use these credentials to log in (in case the task starts and no one is logged into the computer).
This will create a Windows Scheduled Task that will run the backup, per the schedule you create. You can further refine the schedule by open the Windows Task Scheduler in the Control Panel. Depending on the version of Windows, the Task Scheduler may be in the Control Panel or the Administrative Tools within the Control Panel. The schedule task we create is named 'MyOtherDrive-Backup.' If you choose to edit it, make sure that the scheduled tasked is marked to 'wake' the computer to run if necessary.
Step 5: Map folders from computer to online folders
Click the 'Backup Maps' button. In the window that comes up, you will create a Map (or maps) that map source folders from your computer to a destination folder on MyOtherDrive. If you have multiple drives to backup, or just want to separate things further, you can create more than one 'mapping.' Each mapping has its own source folders, destination folder, and backup parameters. To set the 'destination' folder, click a folder in your online storage account. As you select folders in the folder tree at the left, the destination folder will update.
Step 6: Set any 'special' options
Set any special options for this backup map. As the backup is being run, it will obey the options selected here. For example, if you select 'Synchronize' - the destination folder on MyOtherDrive will exactly match the source folder. If this option is not selected, files deleted on your computer will remain on MyOtherDrive. You can also choose to skip files that match a wildcard pattern (using * to match any set of characters or ? to match a single character in a file name). You can create more than one 'Backup Map' if you need to set these options individually for some of your source folders, or if you need more than one destination folder on MyOtherDrive. Once you have finished, you can close the Backup Windows.
Final Summary
When the schedule triggers the backup, it will automatically run a small backup program that is installed onto your computer when you finish creating the backup schedule. This program and the settings for the backup are stored in a file on your computer in the c:/users/username folder. The file name for the settings is myotherdrive.properties. Check out our Trouble Shooting Guide if you have any trouble setting up the backups.
More Information
Password-based File Sharing Quick Start
Collaboration File Sharing Quick Start
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)