CrashPlan FAQs

What is CrashPlan backup service? 

CrashPlan is an easy to use, efficient, and secure backup service. It allows Texas State faculty and staff to take control of their own backups and access their files anytime using CrashPlan software. CrashPlan stores encrypted file backups to a secure remote storage location for disaster recovery.

CrashPlan Features:

  • Continuous, invisible backup
  • Unlimited backup storage capacity
  • Back up up to four computers associated with your NetID
  • Backup protection from on or off campus
  • Data encryption before it leaves your computer
  • Clear and easy software to manage backups and restores
  • Automatic email notifications for missed backups

Can CrashPlan automatically back up my files to more than one location (e.g., another computer or external hard drive)?

CrashPlan at Texas State can only be set up to automatically back up files to the secure Texas State CrashPlan designated location. It cannot automatically back up your files to another computer or external hard drive.

You can, however, manually restore backup files from one computer to another computer (or external hard drive).

When using CrashPlan, how do I know if there is a newer version of the backup file available?

An update option displays when a new version(s) of a downloaded file becomes available.

Does CrashPlan come automatically on my computer?

CrashPlan is not automatically installed on Texas State faculty and staff computers. After you install the software, open it, and log in with your NetID and password, the backups will begin.

How much backup space do I get with my Texas State CrashPlan PROe account?

Texas State faculty and staff have an unlimited amount of backup space through Texas State's CrashPlan service.

What is the difference between CrashPlan and my UDrive or Department Share Drive?

CrashPlan

  • CrashPlan is software available for Texas State faculty and staff to download on their Texas State-owned computers associated with their NetID, log into, and run continuous backups
  • Automatically backs up files to an encrypted and secure storage location
  • Unlimited backup storage space
  • Users can run CrashPlan on up to four Texas State-owned laptops or desktop computers associated with their NetID
  • Self-service recovery available through the CrashPlan software
  • The intended use is to back up all working files for recovery needs in a disaster situation

UDrive Individual Network Storage

  • Network storage space available to Texas State faculty, staff, and students
  • Only the individual user can view his or her files
  • Users must manually move files to this location
  • Users are allowed 5 GB of network storage space
  • Files are accessible from any computer or mobile device that has an Internet connection via Texas State WebFiles.
  • The intended use is to store working files for access from multiple locations

Department Share Drive

  • Network storage space available to Texas State faculty and staff departments
  • Multiple users (in a department) can view and share files
  • Users must manually move files to this location
  • Amounts vary, but there is a limit on the amount of network storage space allowed
  • Files are accessible from any computer or mobile device that has an Internet connection via Texas State WebFiles.
  • The intended use is to store shareable working files for department member access from multiple locations

How often do backups occur with CrashPlan?

CrashPlan runs every 15 minutes. It backs up recently revised as well as newly saved files.

What happens to my CrashPlan backup files when I leave or retire from Texas State University?

CrashPlan is licensed to all current faculty and staff. When you leave the university (via retirement or separation), your status will change to either FormerFaculty/Staff or Retired Faculty/Staff. At that point, you will no longer have access to your backup files.

Your backup files will still be securely stored for a period of 180 days, but they will not be accessible via CrashPlan software. If you return to the university within 180 days and you once again become a current faculty or staff member, your backup files can, once again, be made available to you to access via the CrashPlan software.

How many computers can I back up with my Texas State CrashPlan account?

Texas State faculty and staff are allowed to back up four Texas State-owned laptops or desktop computers associated with their NetID.

Why does CrashPlan say my backup is complete when the progress bar is not 100 percent?

The progress bar represents the to-do list within CrashPlan. The backup message below the progress bar shows completion status and the next backup time.

If you make a small modification to a document with a large file size (e.g., a minor change to a very large PowerPoint presentation) it actually represents a large percentage of your overall backup. The file gets added to the to-do list and, thus, it is not completely at 100 percent.

CrashPlan's to-do list doesn't make a distinction between a small change or a large change in a file, it just looks at the size of the entire file that has been modified in some way.
 

If I delete a file from my computer, can I retrieve it via my CrashPlan account?

Yes. Files deleted from the computer will be retained on the CrashPlan server while you are a faculty/staff member with the university.

NOTE: If your file has been saved on your computer for at least 30 minutes before being deleted, you can find it in your CrashPlan account and restore it to your computer.

How long does CrashPlan keep previous versions of my files?

Every 15 minutes, CrashPlan looks for newly saved or revised files and backs up a new version of those files. Revisions are kept based on the below retention schedule.

  • Every 15 minutes — any new data eligible for backup is sent to the CrashPlan backup server.
  • For the previous seven days (not including the present day) — the most recently saved version from every past 15 minutes is retained.
  • For the previous 90 days (excluding the past week) — the most recently saved version from every past day is retained.
  • For the previous year (minus the past 90 days) — the most recently saved version from every past week is retained.
  • From years prior (but not including last year) — the most recently saved version from the previous month is retained.

Which files are automatically backed up by CrashPlan?

By default, CrashPlan backs up files from your primary hard drive. This includes files saved in your documents folder and on your desktop as well as preferences such as browser favorites and bookmarks.

CrashPlan does not back up software programs themselves, disk images, or log files. This service is not intended to use on servers, lab computers, computing clusters, kiosks, or public workstations.

How are my Texas State confidential files protected with CrashPlan?

CrashPlan encrypts your files, transmits them through an encrypted channel, and stores them on encrypted servers. Furthermore, encryption keys are not stored in the same location as the files. This meets Texas State Information Security requirements for protecting confidential data.

I received an alert from CrashPlan that my computer has not been backed up in a few days. What do I do now?

CrashPlan cannot back up a computer that is asleep, not connected to the Internet, or powered off. By default if your computer has been off or asleep for seven or more days, the system will send an alert. To resume backup, turn your computer on and ensure that it is connected to the Internet.

NOTE: If your computer was turned on in the past seven days and you receive an alert, please contact ITAC for help determining the reason for the alert.

Does CrashPlan work off-campus?

Yes. CrashPlan can perform backups of your computer from any location with an Internet connection.

I see a message that states "Upgrading CrashPlan." Do I need to do anything?

The software and/or server software is upgrading to the latest version. Allow the upgrade to complete and then backups will resume.

I’m on a Mac. Can I use Time Machine and CrashPlan at the same time?

Yes. CrashPlan and Time Machine complement each other by making multiple copies of your data in different locations. When the Time Machine hard drive is connected, you will have an hourly backup of everything on your hard drive. When using CrashPlan, you will have a backup of recently saved or created files every 15 minutes.

CAUTION: Make sure that Time Machine backup files are not included in your CrashPlan backups! This will cause your CrashPlan backup archive to back up unnecessary files.

Confirm that CrashPlan is not backing up your Time Machine files by opening CrashPlan and on the Backup tab, click Change. Be sure to uncheck the box next to Time Machine.