Comments on: Remote file backup services: Carbonite review

By: g r kenya

g r kenya — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:24:12 +0000

After the recurring 2013 error, I reinstalled the Seagate FREEAGENT software. The errors persist, and EVERY TIME I restart my computer now, I receive the “Free Trial Offer” from Carbonite…talk about invasive and intrusive. (And no, I didn’t fail to respond to the “DO NOT SHOW ME THIS AGAIN” message.

By: D Thieman

D Thieman — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:59:18 +0000

There has been a much happier than expected result for me after my online support request. At present I’ve had a backup speed of about 6 GB per day for the past 2 days. Here is my detailed posting on the Smart Computing website from yesterday, about how it came to pass:
“My rather no-nonsense email to Carbonite Customer Service gave the details and noted my awareness of their issues in the blogosphere with slow upload and non-responsive responses to client concerns. Perhaps its tone and details led to an escalation to a suitable technical respondent, because I did not get an overseas contractor, a “quoting of the FAQs,” or a putting-it-all-back-on-the-client response. A Carbonite person in Plano, Texas replied and signed her name. To summarize, she said I should expect a 3-4 GB per day upload speed. She had looked at the details of my backup file and found it was not proceeding normally. One issue was that Carbonite was having difficulty maintaining a ‘shadow copy’. She advised: ‘Carbonite uses VSS (Volume Shadow Service) to backup files while they are in use. However, Windows only allows one instance of VSS at a time. Please try disabling SQL Server to see if there is any improvement in the speed of your initial backup.’
Other advice included rebooting my computer and my internet router, making sure I have a wired router connection (I do) and that Disk Defragmenter has been run recently (it had). Proprietary firewalls (Norton, McAfee, etc.) can cause problems (not the issue here.)
I disabled SQL Server (some direction about “how” to a non-expert would have been welcome, but I found it: (WinXP Pro system) Program Files>Microsoft SQL Server>80>Tools>Binn>sqlmangr). Froze backup, rebooted computer and router, and restarted backup.
In the past 24 hours since doing all that, about 5.5 GB have been backed up, so this was a successful Customer Service result.
Carbonite could do itself a lot of good by communicating some of these basics as part of bringing in a new client, even as simply as advice to “without fail” read some key FAQ articles. Those would include “Important Things to Know about Carbonite as You Get Started,” “Getting Started with Carbonite,” “Stuck Backup and Backup Errors,” “Backup Overdue” which includes the procedure for uninstalling and reinstalling Carbonite,” “SQL and other Databases” which needs added to it the possible need to disable SQL during your initial backup, and “Sending a Support Request” which includes the key information that an email request through their Support site automatically attaches your Carbonite file for review by the responding associate–a big advantage over a CS phone call that could be mentioned in the phone greeting to everyone’s benefit!”

By: D Thieman

D Thieman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:55:08 +0000

Backup began on my WinXP Pro, fast PC about 3 weeks ago with Carbonite. Now at 26% done, 6.3 Gb done, 17.6 Gb to go as of 7/21/2011. Spent one hour on hold last week for phone service, never got through. “High call volume” greeting was on. A bit over 2 Gb backed up per week, it appears, so far.

By: PuppyBreath

PuppyBreath — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:07:28 +0000

CARBONITE’S “RESTORE” FUNCTION IS SLOWER THAN ELEPHANT GESTATION.

Seriously, my one-man business will take ONE MONTH to restore all files.

And that’s on a blazing Web connection with new hardware that Carbonite staff remotely tuned for maximum download speeds.

After a while, Carbonite Tech Support’s advice became, “Be patient.”

By: Jared Worth

Jared Worth — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:46:02 +0000

http://www.filebackup.com
Is a brand new file back up system.. It has no flaws and is cheaper than most file back up systems. This one is a winner

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:33:43 +0000

I tried Carbonite through their free trial. While happy with their service I ultimately decided that it wasn’t something that I needed. I attempted to uninstall the program, however, it appears I am stuck with it forever! What I have found is THERE IS NO WAY TO UNINSTALL THE PROGRAM. I am plagued with pop-ups that tell me that my subscription has expired. DO NOT USE CARBONITE! I am extremely disappointed with this company.

By: J

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:24:34 +0000

Regarding Billy’s post above -
Can’t say for sure since I wasn’t there, and don’t know how he did it, but if his files are missing after he did a backup to DVD, I suspect that he Moved, not Copied the files from his C drive to his DVD. That’s why they are not longer on his C drive, (and would not even be available to Carbonite to backup). I doubt there is any code in Carbonite that would delete files from his C drive, at least not without his permission. Don’t flame me, just suggesting a possibility.

By: William Pritchard

William Pritchard — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:38:12 +0000

I am a hobby photographer with 400 GB of files. I have been backing up for two months and still have 150 GB to go. At the rate of two GB per day, I may never catch up. Carbonite is clearly not the solution for photographers with 20+ MB picture size.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:10:37 +0000

I have over 250 gigs of design files backed up via Carbonite. After experiencing a total system crash a week ago – I still haven’t had any files “restored” via Carbonite despite running my computer and a “restore” 24/7 since then. Ludicrous.

By: Rona

Rona — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:41:46 +0000

Safecopy backup allows you to backup multiple computers on a single account and they also offer a 3GB trial version which lasts for life.