Retrospect on Windows 2000/XP

This page details how to install and configure the Retrospect backup client for Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP Professional for use with the Department Backup Service, as well as provide important usage advice and assistance with basic troubleshooting.

Installation

Installation of the client requires first downloading the client installer.

Unpackage and run the installer. Type in the initial backup password that Computing Support will give you upon request. Reboot your workstation when asked to.

This password is what we use to connect the backup server to your computer and securely exchange data. Do not use any other password than what we provide. Do not install a Retrospect client on any machine on which backups will not be done. For security, this password will be changed upon the first connection attempt by the backup server.

Configuration

No configuration is required; the default settings are fine. However, you should email us as soon as you have installed the client. This lets us know to add your workstation to the backup server.

Usage advice and troubleshooting

What you need to know to initiate file recovery

If your computer fails, or you have deleted a file from your workstation, disconnect your workstation from the campus network immediately and contact Computing Support at 215-573-2818, or 215-219-5544 (in an emergency).

It is very important that you disconnect your workstation from the network as quickly as possible after the deletion event.

Incremental backups are done daily: deleted files are removed from the incremental backup, so if a subsequent backup is completed, there is nothing we can do to recover your lost file.

Error messages

Some errors are normal, as a few files backed up during the procedure can change during the verification step. If you notice an abnormal number of errors (e.g. a number larger than 10 or so) then feel free to email us so that we can check the backup logs.

Ensuring smooth backups

Your computer must be turned on and awake to allow backups to be performed. Computers that are switched off or asleep will not exchange data with the backup server.

On Windows, open the Power Options control panel to make sure your computer does not turn itself off while you are away.

1. Click on Start->Settings->Control Panels
2. Double-click on Power Options and make sure the Power Schemes tab is selected

3. Select a reasonable value for the "Turn off monitor" menu
4. Select Never for "Turn off hard disks", "System Standby" and "System hibernates"
5. Click once on the Hibernate tab

6. Make sure the Enable hibernation checkbox is unchecked
7. Click OK

Firewall issues

Your computer must allow Retrospect network traffic to at least the backup server archive.bio.upenn.edu. If you run a software or hardware firewall as a security measure, this firewall must be configured to allow this traffic through. Otherwise backups will fail.

On Windows, there are a variety of software firewalls to choose from. We will explain the general process for XP Service Pack 2 and for the free version of ZoneAlarm. These settings apply equally to any other software or hardware firewall that you are using.

Configuring built-in firewall settings in Windows XP Service Pack 2

1. Click on Start -> Settings -> Control Panels and double-click on Security Center
2. Click once on the Exceptions tab and once on the Add Port... button

3. Enter the name "Retrospect (TCP)" and the port number 497. Check the TCP radio button and click on the OK button

4. You should see the following before you proceed:

5. Click once on the Add Port... button again.
6. In this case, enter the name "Retrospect (UDP)" and the port number 497. Check the UDP radio button and click on the OK button

7. Your exceptions list should look similar to this:

8. Click OK to complete the built-in firewall configuration steps

Configuring ZoneAlarm firewall settings

1. Double-click on the "ZA" icon in the system tray (lower-right corner of the screen)

2. On the left-hand side of the ZoneAlarm firewall window, click once on Program Control
3. Click on the Programs tab and once on the Add button

4. Go to C: -> Program Files -> Dantz -> Client -> retroclient.exe and press the Open button
5. Left-click the question mark (?) under Internet below the Server column header and select Allow for the retroclient.exe entry. (There should now be four green checks for the "Retrospect" item.)
6. On the left-hand side of the ZoneAlarm firewall window, click once on Firewall
7. Under the Internet Zone Security, drag the slider to Medium
8. Close the ZoneAlarm window