It’s been a couple of days now since I started using Carbonite’s online backup service. The initial (full) backup went well and took 2.5 days to complete which isn’t too bad for 11 GB of data. I think the incremental backups are working but I have to admit that I am not sure at this point.
The reason that I am unsure is that there is no log available as Len Pallazola suggested in his comment to a previous blog post. The carbonite.log file does not exist and the “View History” option results in script errors (probably because the log file does not exist). So here I sit mildly concerned that the backup isn’t really happening. The Carbonite Icon in the system tray is green (indicating that my backup is complete) by I still have an uneasy feeling.
I can browse the Carbonite Backup Drive, which is available from a shortcut on my desktop and it looks like things are working properly. I have two versions of my active Outlook files and the descriptive text next to the files say that the backup will happen again in X number of minutes/hours so we will see how things go.
One… feature? of Carbonite is that it seems to access my floppy drive on a regular basis and I have no idea why. My guess is that it is polling my system to see what drives/data are available for backup but that is only a guess. It is only very mildly annoying although it does seem to happen with variable frequency and some times it occurs every couple of seconds (5 to 10 sec.) for an extended period of time.
The good news is that the backups (if they are happening) don’t seem to be slowing my system down. It has only been a couple of days and I have not changed very much data since the full backup completed. I will get a better idea of how things are working this week as my wife and I use the system a lot more.
Other aspects that I need to check out are how the backup works with power saving features enabled and when the system is not connected to the internet. I know it won’t backup when it is not connected, what I am curious about is how it recovers from missing a backup either because the power is off/stand-by or because it is a free spirit without internet.
Until next time.
Mike Lavender
Owner/CEO of Simply Offsite
Simply Offsite
Simplifying backup since 1998
http://www.simplyoffsite.com
Filed under: Online backup services, Reviews, Windows, backup, computer backup | Tagged: backup service reviews, Carbonite, Online backup services, Reviews
Hi again Mike,
I gave you some bad info in my last comment; I apologize for that. In earlier versions (pre-3.0), Carbonite stored the log file in the program directory. Please check C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\ for carbonite.log. I’d be really surprised if there’s no log file at all.
Regarding the floppy problem, I’ve heard of that happening – it’s pretty rare and so far only seems to affect computers that have been upgraded at some point from pre-XP versions of Windows. For most of the folks that reported that problem, they resolved it by popping a floppy into the drive, letting Carbonite seek the drive, and then later popping the floppy out. (Carbonite performs the seek, realizes that drive is a floppy, and stops checking that drive.)
As for how Carbonite handles stand-by/hibernation or periodic loss of the Internet connection, Carbonite notes the files that are “pending backup” and catches up once the computer is back on, and online.
As always, feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions.
Sincerely,
Len Pallazola
Manager, Customer Service Systems
Carbonite, Inc.
I am also trying out Carbonite, and also have the annoying floppy access problem.
This PC has never run an OS other than XP, BTW. Also, placing a diskette in the floppy drive and letting Carbonite poll it doesn’t fix things. I’m using a Mitsumi FA-404M floppy w/ built-in card reader — it’s internal, but uses the USB interface for the floppy as well as the card reader; perhaps that is related.
If I turn off the Carbonite option to display colored status dots, the floppy access issue goes away…or so it seems so far.
Bill,
My computer no longer polls the floppy drive and I am in the same situation as you. It is a clean install of XP SP2 not an upgrade.
I am wondering if it something that happens during the first full backup only. I’ll keep an eye on things and let you know if it happens again.
Bill,
Thanks for the info on the floppy problem. I’ll check with our QA team to see whether they can do some testing on a USB floppy drive to replicate the problem you’re having – it might be a little different in your case because it’s USB – maybe the operating system (and Carbonite) sees that drive differently than standard floppies. If you get a chance, please go to the “Get Support” page of the Carbonite Infocenter within the software, click on “E-mail customer support”, and type “ATTN: Len – Floppy Issue”. That will send me a copy of your Carbonite log files as well as a system information file. These items will go a long way towards identifying the issue and maybe we can get that resolved. Very interesting that it stops when you disable the dots; I hadn’t heard that before with the other folks who had the problem.
Sincerely,
Len Pallazola
Manager, Customer Service Systems
Carbonite, Inc.
I’m glad I found this forum! I’ve be going a little nuts daily listening to my floppy drive click, click, click. It started when I installed the Carbonite trial (although I didn’t attribute it to Carbonite, at first.) My system is XP and it’s never run another OS. But, thanks to Bill’s suggestion of turning off the little colored display spot, I’m free of that annoyance! Thank you Bill!
My best.
I think in fairness that floppy drives are a rarity now and any support for them can only be expected as a standard drive letter. UBS drives should be no issue as they are from the host viewpoint a drive which can be local or mapped. One great difficulty with USB however is that some servers will not restart (as in fully reboot) with USB devices connnected. Also, USB devices are prone to “flash” as in delete on entry or exit and this can happen when removed correctly.
John
http://www.backupanytime.com/faq.htm
I have a installed folppy drive that came with my computer, not USB, and I have the same issue! help!
I found a work around. I read on one forum that if you disable the “colored
status dots” in the carbonite options, it fixes the issue the the floppy
disk. I just tried this, and it worked!!! But, I miss having those status
dots. For now, this is a temporary fix.
Floppy issue for me also. Every time that I view any of my hard drives with explorer the floppy does a seek. With the Carbonite dots turned off the problem is gone. But I also would like to have the dots.
FYI, I had same problem with Carbonite frequently accessing the Floppy, apparently searching for changes in (file) status.
I emailed Customer Support, here was their reponse:
=================
Hello Chris and thank you for contacting Carbonite Customer Support.
The trouble you reported with Carbonite performing a seek on your floppy drive is one that we are aware of and development is working on a fix for it. You will notice that this happens less frequently over time. Some customers have reported that by placing a blank disk in the floppy drive, Carbonite scans that disk once and then this problem stops. They can then remove the disk from the drive.
Please let us know if you need additional assistance.
Sincerely,
Ashton
Carbonite Customer Support
http://www.carbonite.com
Backup. Simple.
==========================
So, since I cannot even find a floppy to try, I decided to temporarily eliminate this annoyance by simply choosing to “DISABLE” the floppy drive from Device Manager.
The file/dolder colorized status dots are all in place…
And no more annoyances.
If I need to insert a floppy one day, I hope I’ll remember what I did. LOL!
Disable the floppy drive in Device Mangler…. Works fine now. Just remember to RE-enable it if you want to use the floppy again.
I don’t think you should have to disable hardware to get a piece of software to work. The fact is floppy drives still happen to be on a lot of computers and the software should be able to recognize that an empty drive is empty and doesn’t need to be polled every hour. BTW, I have the same problem and turning off the dots lessened floppy reads but didn’t eliminate them. My Sony Vaio has always had XP and now runs XP home sp3.
Running XP. “Optimum Cable System” Free Trial Carbonite Service.
Having the same problem with the floppy being checked
every 2 to 4 minutes. Inserting a blank floppy doesn’t help.
Nor does shutting off the color dots.
In fact, the “Properties” of my “A” drive floppy say that it
won’t be backed up. Yet, the “checking” goes on.
I’d disable the drive, but the “help” section for the Device Manager says that if a floppy is disabled,
THE SYSTEM MIGHT NOT START UP. Don’t want to
take that chance, as I know my system checks the “A” drive before booting from the C drive.
I’m about ready to DELETE Carbonite. I’m sick of software
that takes over my system. Software is supposed to solve problems, not cause them
The floppy scan only seems to happen when you are running your first full backup – or at least that is what happened in my case. As soon as the full backup completed the floppy scan stopped.
Thanks for your comment:
>>>The floppy scan only seems to happen when you
are running your first full backup – or at least that is
what happened in my case.<<<
Understood. But, how would you define "first full
backup?" I'm under the impression that in no way
does this thing try to backup one's entire hard drive.
If you are choosing what to backup, how is a backup of
your HD ever considered "complete" or "full?"
I'm on a free trial with a 2 GIG max of storage.
The program, by default (as you know) backed up
certain settings/doc/text folders. Then, it STOPPED.
I assumed it was then up to me to add what I wanted
to backup. I chose Mp3 files for starters.
As long as I was under 2 GIG, the scans (of Drive "A")
continued. As soon as I hit 2 GIG (this AM), the scans
stopped. This begs the question: If I subscribe for
UNLIMITED storage, will this thing continue to scan my
system constantly? That is what I mean by, "What is a
"first full backup?"
I notice in the "settings," it is set to "automatic" by
default. I'm wondering if I set the backup to only certain
times a day, if that will prevent the constant scans. As I
sit now, I'd have to cancel some of the backed-up files
to drop below 2 GIG to see what happens.
Any thoughts?
PS – I may have spoken too soon. Drive "A" is
churning again — albeit somewhat less frequently!
Why did my post disappear?