Version 4.x Upgrade - Option B

Running the Standard 3.0 Version - OR - Running the older 1.x or 2.x Version

When you are running Backup for Workgroups Standard 3.0 or an older Version 1.x-2.x version, you have a choice to make:  You can upgrade to Version 4.x Standard for FREE in order to receive all the bug fixes and patches - OR - you can purchase the Version 4.x Premium Upgrade (for a nominal fee) if you want to take advantage of some of the cool features listed below.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  With the release of Version 4.x, support for older Versions 1.x and 2.x will be discontinued.  Since there is a free upgrade path available, we strongly recommend that you choose one of the two upgrade paths below to upgrade your installation to Version 4.x.  If you should happen to contact Lockstep Systems for support, the first thing we will ask you to do is to follow the Standard (Free) upgrade path - so you might as well do it now!

What information are you looking for about the Backup for Workgroups Version 4.x upgrade?

• Features in the Premium 4.x Upgrade (the FEE-BASED upgrade)
• Features in the Standard 4.x Upgrade (the FREE upgrade)
• How do I install the new Backup for Workgroups Version 4.x upgrade?
• How much does the Premium 4.x Upgrade cost and how can I place my order?

The Backup for Workgroups 4.x Premium FEE-BASED Upgrade features:

• Daily Backup Summary Report (can be customized)
  Backup for Workgroups can now send you a daily backup report that shows ALL of your Backup Clients and their backup results.  This color-coded, HTML email chart makes it easy to see who backed up successfully and who hasn't.   Click here for a sample.
• Email Authentication
  When Backup for Workgroups sends email, you can now specify login credentials to use with your SMTP email server.  Email authentication eliminates the problem of undelivered emails caused by anti-spam and anti-virus programs.
• 256-Bit AES Encryption
  Support for AES 256 bit encryption is available to customers residing in the US and US-export friendly countries.
• Storage Spanning Support - Stores Your Backup Data Across Multiple Devices
  Now you can use multiple devices as part of a storage group. Your backup data can span across these multiple hard drives, increasing your storage capacity.
• Mirror Spanning Support - Stores Your Mirror Data Across Multiple Devices
  When your Mirror storage is running low on disk space, you can add additional capacity by adding a new disk-based device to your Mirror storage group.   And, the Mirror now supports blackout periods, to prevent the Mirror from consuming too much of your network resources during business hours.
• Auto Client Update
  Save time with the new Auto Client Update feature.  When you have updated your Backup for Workgroups Data Repository, the Auto Client Update feature will automatically update the Backup Clients for you.  This feature eliminates the need to go to each Backup Client computer to install updates.  Please note: This feature is only activated AFTER you have manually updated all your Backup Clients to Version 4.x.  In other words, the feature's code needs to be there before you can use it!  But, this will be the last time you need to manually update all your Backup Clients.
• Don't Stop Reading - You Get Everything Listed Below Too!
  The Premium Upgrade also includes all the features of the Standard 4.x upgrade listed below.

I need to buy my Backup for Workgroups Premium 4.x Upgrade!

The Backup for Workgroups 4.x Standard FREE Upgrade includes:

Includes all the Version 4.x features listed at the top of this page, plus the following:

• Vista Support- You can use a Vista machine to host your Data Repository and you can install the Backup Client software on a Vista machine to include these new computers in your backup plan. Version 4.x is UAC compliant.
• Backup Network Shares - Now you can backup network shares by providing the path in UNC format and login information to this network share. In the past, the Backup Client required network shares to be accessed through a mapped drive letter. Now you do not need to be logged in at the time of the backup.
  
  NOTE:  When you first upgrade to Version 4.x, the Backup Client will convert all existing mapped network drives to UNC paths.  You will need to provide log in credentials in order to specify access to the network shares. To do so, run the Backup Client and go to Tools -> Manage Backup Sets.  Proceed to modify any existing backup sets. At the screen where you select the files to include in the backup, press the "Manage Network Shares" button. At the Manage Network Shares dialog, enter the name, password and domain information of a Windows account that the Backup Client service can use to access your Windows computer.  This will be used by the Backup Client to log into the Windows account that can access network shares. Then if any network share has specific access login user name or password that is different than the Windows user name above, you can enter this information as well. Be sure to save your changes.
• Improved Support for Remote Desktop - The Backup Client now runs the backup process as a SERVICE. As a result, you can close a Remote Desktop Session without interfering with the backup process. You can also open a Remote Desktop Session and view the progress of a backup in mid-session without interfering with the backup process.
• Better File Change Detection - Now the Backup Client uses additional methods to detect when a file changes to avoid skipping files that do not change their file date/time stamp and/or their file size information. This fixes a problem detecting when a file changes on some SQL Servers.
• NAS Storage Rights - When you use a NAS or file share to store your Data Repository or Mirror, Version 4.x can detect rights problems and inform you of corrective actions that you need to take when access rights are incorrect to the NAS or file share. Also, Version 4.x takes additional actions to try to prevent file shares from closing the network share.

Instructions on How to Upgrade Your Backup for Workgroups Installation to Version 4.0:

There is only ONE setup program to download.  It does not matter if you go with the Standard Upgrade or the Premium Upgrade, you install the same software in either case.  You will need to download the new BFW Setup Program, and use this Setup program to update your Data Repository first, and then use it again to update all your Backup Clients.  You will not need to re-boot your system at any point during the updating process.

Standard Upgrade:  You will not receive any new License Numbers. Your existing License Numbers will continue to be valid and the software will continue to operate as normal.

Premium Upgrade:  After your order is processed, you will receive a new License Number that you enter into your Data Repository Manager to unlock the Premium features listed above.

Please note that the Data Repository (aka Backup Server) computer must be updated to the new 4.x version first, before any Clients get updated.  You do not have to update on all of the Clients at the same time, although it is a good idea to plan to update all of your Backup Clients so your entire installation is current.

Instructions

Please note that the Data Repository (aka Backup Server) computer must be updated to the new 4.x version first, before any Clients get updated.  You do not have to update on all of the Clients at the same time, although it is a good idea to plan to update all of your Backup Clients so your entire installation is current.  You will not need to re-boot your system at any point during the updating process.

Step # 1 - Update the Data Repository Computer

1. Download the new bfwsetup.exe file to the Data Repository computer.
2. Double-click the bfwsetup.exe file to begin the install process.
3. At the beginning of the 4.x installation wizard, choose the option "Update the Data Repository Manager".
4. The Setup Program will stop the Backup for Workgroups program or service, automatically detect where the software is installed and update the program files, then restart the service when the update is complete.
5. All Client configurations and archived backup data will remain intact and unchanged.

Step # 2 - Update the Client Computer(s)

1. Download the new bfwsetup.exe file to the Client computer.
2. Double-click the bfwsetup.exe file to begin the install process.
3. At the beginning of the 4.x installation wizard, choose the option "Update the Backup Client".
4. The Setup Program will stop the Backup for Workgroups program or service, automatically detect where the software is installed and update the program files, then restart the Scheduler when the update is complete.
5. All of the Client's backup sets, scheduling and preferences will remain intact and unchanged.
6. When convenient, repeat these steps to update all of your Backup Client computers.

I need to buy my Backup for Workgroups Premium 4.x Upgrade!