Once the uploading starts you can see information including when the backup started, how much space you are using of your allocation and even the status of the backup – in this example it is Uploading a file.
And that is it!
Those files and folders will now be backed up to the HomeServerSync servers and protected.
You can easily restore files as well, as we showed you before in the previous article on the beta.
You can also sign in to the portal and see what your account status is.
And as before you can select files to restore.
One thing I noticed is that the figures didn’t quite match up on the Windows Home Server Console and the portal once the uploading had completed.
This is because at the moment, once you get past 1GB, the WHS Console rounds to a single digit, so if I had 1.2GB backed up, it would only show on the Console as 1GB.
I’m sure this will get sorted at some point, as I would like to see exactly what I am using and have the information in both places exactly the same.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I still really like this add-in, and this version of the beta is even easier to use than the last. I’m glad to see the VPN client included in this final beta – I have been running the VPN client separately for a while now and so it is nice to have it integrated. I will cover the VPN client in more detail, and also the client backup side in a separate article.
Installing and configuring this beta did take a few more steps than some people might be comfortable with, but Tranquil assure me that the final released product will reduce those steps even further, such as having to register for the service separately.
All in all using HSS is simple and easy once it is configured – just select what you want to protect, and sit back and relax. The initial uploads of your data may take some time, especially if you have a lot of data (you go get 1000GB of space from Tranquil as part of the service) and also depending on your upload speed.
You might want to consider the bulk upload option from Tranquil where you can copy your data to an external drive and send it to them to upload to your account on your behalf. More information and pricing for this service will be available at release time.
The original plan was for Tranquil to release HomeServerSync by the end of July. Today is the last day of July and it won’t be out today. There have been a few unavoidable delays in getting the 64-bit drivers signed, and so expect to see HomeServerSync out next week!
Tranquil are still offering a pre-launch deal of £79 plus VAT so you might want to get in quick!
And as mentioned before we have something very special planned with Tranquil for release time – watch this space!
UPDATE: When you take out your subscription, use the Promo code U098 and instead of getting a 12 month subscription, you will get an extra 100 days free! So you will get 15 months for the price of 12 – now that is a good deal! See here for details.
Question for Andrew,
I have the final beta software for this product and I am having problems installing it. I have tried various emails to the developer but none get answered. I am probably emailing to a bad address or something. How do you contact the developer? I see no email addresses on their web site.
In particular I have had problems getting it to set up the VPN. I get the prompt that asks for login information which I do but I do not get the dialog that tells me that I added the VPN. It goes straight to the Hardware Installation dialog, and at the end of the install it tells me the VPN is missing.
Hi Rick
For each beta, did you create a new HSS account? I had to do this otherwise I had problems early on….
Andrew
Rick,
Hi – the issue may be a previous VPN install – we will send reply email asap, advising how to 'fix' (remove) a previous beta VPN install.
As Andrew said, could you also confirm you have created a registered for a new account first ?
Hello,
I did not have a previous install of this (or the VPN). I did create a new HSS account before I started the install the first time. When the account creation finished it said something about sending me an email but I never got the email.
I can log into my hss account and I can back up files to it without any issues.
It appears maybe the VPN account was never set up for this account or something. Should I try to create another account? Can I get the current account deleted or should I just choose a different user name?
Rick
I have installed the addin on my WHS. During the install where it asks you to put in your VPN Credentials. I do so and it pops up the Security Warning. I clicked on continue anyways, and then it pops up a box saying no virtual device found. And I think this is why I cannot put in a VPN Node pass key. It says Tranquil VPN Client service not installed in this machine.
What do I need to do to get this installed?
This is exactly what my problem is.
hi Chris
I had that issue on some of the earlier betas – all I did was remove the add-in and reboot and then try again.
I assume you are running the latest version 1.10?
Andrew
I have uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled. it keeps telling me no virtual device or it sometimes gives me authentication credentials invalid. but, I can use the addin for backups just not the VPN. the one feature I really wanted to try before buying. And no one can tell us how to contact the Beta Support.
Chris
I have forwarded your question directly to the head of Tranquil.
Andrew
Thank you Andrew for passing it on. It is a little disturbing that they are running a Beta for their software and there seems to be no way to contact them and give them feedback. I tried multiple times via their "Contact Us" on their web page and I finally did get a single response after I posted on this site. They said they would get back to me ASAP once they checked my account. That was two days ago.
I tried the uninstall/reboot/reinstall and saw no improvement either.
I guess we wait.
Rick
Hi Rick
Im not trying to make excuses for them, but I know for the last severals days they have all been working to get the final product out the door (lets just say check back on UWHS in about 4 hours….)
For now my advice would be to just remove the current add-in, remote to your WHS, check that a virtual NIC isnt there on network connections and come back in a few hours 🙂
You will then be able to use the very latest, and released build which should work (I tried it at length last night)
Andrew
Rick
Check out the new post:
http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2010/08/05/home…
Worth doing 🙂
Andrew
Thank you Andrew.
I will check out the new release, I really want this thing to work, it is what I have been looking for since getting the WHS.
So I will try it out and hopefully purchase.
Rick
Well I really don't want to try a product out and it work, then I make the purchase. And if something goes wrong you can not contact anyone. Having poor Customer Service during a Beta Test is not a good thing.
thats a fair point Chris – personally I have had no issues with contact, but I certainly understand where you are coming from.
Like I mentioned before, they were rushing to get the final product out, but that was no excuse to not respond to support requests, as you say, they did ask for comments and feedback and ran the beta for a reason!
Andrew
Hello. I preordered HSS during their offering to do so. After having problems installing the VPN during the actual release, I put in a trouble ticket. They responded back that they wanted to do a remote access to my box, and I sent them my info and a block of times that was good for me to do this–that was over a week ago, and I haven't heard back. I then put in another trouble ticket for them to refund my money, again, I haven't heard back from them. What do you suggest I do? Thanks.
I have forwarded your email to the head of Tranquil and asked him for a response!
Just a quick update. They have now released the new version. I tried it and it appears everything is working as advertised.
I agree with Chris in that is was a bit frustrating to get no feedback or help from them when they were running the Beta.
Rick
Well same issue after installing the 15day trial. Am I missing something? I keep getting no virtual device found when I try and register the VPN. I have already uninstalled the beta addin and rebooted. Installed the new addin and rebooted. I have sent a ticket to the Help link in the addin. So just waiting to hear back.
Hi Chris
I ahve contacted Tranquil again for you and asked them to contact you directly to help you resolve this issue.
Let me know how you get on.
Andrew
Chris
I tried to install the latest build 1.14 today and got the same error you did but I have managed to fix it after trying a number of differnet things myself, including 2 WHS rebuilds!
DONT install the add-in via the Windows Home Server Console on your computer, go install it via the WHS Console on the Remote Desktop of your Server.
It works from there, it doesnt seem to work from a client!
Let me know how you get on.
Andrew
I have the same problem and have reinstalled V1.14 via RDC and that does not work either for me. You never get the "Next you will be prompted for VPN registration" dialogue on the reinstall
HI James
You dont get that prompt in the same place with 1.14 it would seem. You go into the Console and when you click on the VPN stuff it happens then.
Andrew
Hello all
V1,14 onwards does not 'force' the VPN registration (as some users do not want it)
Now the VPN can be registered (or not) on the Sync manager settings.
Rick
We have now deleted your old 'beta' account and confirmed your 'subscribed' status
We hope that the product now delivers
Good morning all
Some HomeServerSync users have experienced issues, regarding VPN / Account Expirations.
Most of the issues are due previous installations of 'beta' or 'earlier' versions of the Add In. Also if users have created multiple accounts with the same email address (no longer possible) this can also cause issues.
If you are having any issues, please let us know directly (labs@tranquilpc.co.uk) we will promptly provide the solution / support you need to get you up and running again. Please be sure to include your HomeServerSync User ID(s) with any message.
HomeServerSync 'pre-order' customers will have their account subscriptions 'started later today' after they reply to our customer service message.
HomeServerSync 'trial' account users will have an extension to their trial, if their trial period was cut short for any reason, due to the upgrade of the SQL DB.
If you are a trial account, please be sure to check your on-line account before your subscription ends (https://myhomeserversync.co.uk) and complete your subscription, or your account will become invalid, and backups / VPN / Sync will fail to work.
We know that HomeServerSync is a very powerful Add In to Windows Home Server – and we know that 'new users' are enjoying its benefits on a daily basis. We apologise to beta / early users who have experienced any issues.