Symantec utilities are well-known security software. However one of them, Norton 360, is not only security software. It is also a backup utility with ability to store your backup data using secure online storage. You can easily backup your pictures, documents, contacts, music, videos, emails, internet favorites and other files or folders. You have 2 GB space for your online backup, not too much. However you can backup to another disc or burn your data backup onto a CD/DVD too.
Online backup with Norton 360
So at first you need to run Norton 360 application. The easiest way is to click on its link on your Windows Desktop. After the Norton 360 starts, click the Backup and Restore button in the application’s window.
If you have not backup using Norton 360 yet, the application tell you that you need to set up your backup process. Take a look at the bottom of the window and click the Back Up link.
You should see a Backup Setting window now. There are three steps you should do. Select what you would like to back up. Check the size of selected items. Then click on the blue button called Change for backup location settings and in a dialog select Secure Online Storage.
If this is your first use of Norton 360 and Secure Online Storage, you will be prompted for your e-mail and password for a Symantec account. After that you could use a Change button for setting up a backup schedule.
If this is your setting for usual backup, don’t forget to save this setting – just click the Save Settings button.
You are ready to start your online backup now. Click the Run Backup Now button and wait for completing the backup process. How long it will take? It depends on a size of your files for backup process.
How to restore your files?
I hope your computer and system will work well for a long time. However something wrong could happen anytime. So if you need to restore you backup, run the Norton 360 window, click Backup and Restore button again and then click Restore link. The rest is similar to backup process.
Select items you would like to restore, click the Restore Now button and wait until it’s finished.
Norton 360 is interesting backup/security software. With Secure Online Storage it has a bonus value to its standard functions. Online backup is very comfortable process and if you select only very important items, the 2 GB size should be enough for your needs.
Comments below this article are closed. You can read and discuss below the article about newer version of Norton 360. Read more in Norton 360 4.0: web accessible online storage and Norton Tiki
I am attempting to back up 4GB of information from my computer to Norton's online storage. So far it has been 24hrs and it has only transferred 57% of the files. Is this normal? I use Verizon DSL for internet and wondered if that may be making things slow?
At this rate it will be tomorrow before the back up is complete!
Yes, the N360 upload is not very fast.
I have norton 360 and I backup about 4gb to on-line storage. Why do I quickly run out of capacity when I have 50 gb of on-line storage capacity? It doesn't look like I am saving each version of a changed file as only the last version is viewable in my file list.
I can never get a straight answer from tech support and they just keep adding more storage capacity to my account without additional cost.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
I've had Norton for about 6 years - initially save and restore, then 360. Last year I [finally] used the backup feature on the version presented above in illustration 3 [just checking the boxes for what files to upload]. No source file was displayed. Alas, two days later, my computer was stolen. I kept my subscription "live" as Norton assured me I would be able to restore my files to my new PC. Finally got a PC, went to restore and the files that downloaded were some folders under 'documents and settings' containing .txt, .bmp, .img, etc. but no financial or other files. I contacted Norton, they reviewed the process and recreated the restore. The files took 4 hours to upload last year and 40 minutes to download this year. We did this on two separate occasions because the files weren't right. Finally, yesterday the Norton analyst walked through what I did at which time I learned the following: Last year, all my files resided in a folder called "Data". Norton's default file source location is either "My Documents" or "C Drive". This is not evident on the illustration on this page, however the upgrade shows the backup source. But, if you "add a folder", that folder name doesn't show up on the backup source part of the screen; more files are just added to the list. I clicked the files I wanted backed up [as on the illustration] thinking Norton had scanned my hard drive for these types of files. Not true-Norton uploaded files, but not my Data folder files. The automated backup happened to upload again after it was stolen, so I now have pictures of who had my computer. They say the subsequent backup would not have overwritten my set with new files. I suggested they improve several things: 1) offer a preview list of what is being backed up, 2) allow us to add a folder to the source list, 3) when adding a folder to the file types, display that folder under sources and finally, allow save/restore functionality to bridge between versions. Losing the ability to restore files just because you upgrade is ridiculous. I lost six years of financials, documents, pictures and research because I thought picking files totaling almost 4,000 items had my data. Didn't realize it didn't scan the entire hard drive for Excel, Word, etc., just its version of the same.
I had on my laptop norton 360, i backed everything up using norton360 backup,
to transfer over to my computer, but its running the normal norton internet sercurity, is there any other way i can restore my backed up files, or would i need to purchase another norton 360 help...
Hello, I think you have to install trial version of Norton 360 at least.
My Norton 360 system keeps wanting to back up my files every Sunday at 6 p.m. I don't need to back up my files that often. I would just be a waste of CDs. How do I set the system to ask me every 3 or 6 months? Actually, I don't really need to be asked, as I can do it manually whenever I feel I need to. Any answers or suggestions?
Hello. Using the Norton 360 3.0 you can go to Settings window, click on Task Scheduling, Move to Scheduling tab and use the link Click here to Schedule backup. Then change the default plan under the When tab.
I have been trying to restore my files from Norton on-line backup to my computer after a crsh. I cannot get the files to download. I have spoken with 3 Norton techs and 3 supervisors. None have been able to explain or fix the problem. Additionally, they sent the issue to their research team who has not gottn back to me...and the "highest supervisor" told me today that he cannot tranfer my call to research because they cannot be contacted.
Be very wary of Norton 360 on-line backup.
I have used Norton for a number of years and previously used the on-line backup but stopped using it when I ran out of space. After upgrading Norton over a year ago I noticed there was some 360Mb of data shown as being backed-up on-line but when I tried to delete the backed-up files, Norton said there was no backup set there.
I have since been on-line with the so-called Norton Support team numerous times. Virtually none of the operators can write English (and I'm not referring to small grammatical errors, I'm talking about unintelligible sentences) but more to the point, not one of them could solve the issue.
I now have 360Mb of my private data hanging somewhere out there, with no way of retireving it and no way of deleting it. None of the Norton operatives can delete it either (they say) and responses from them have ranged from, "Once you upgrade Norton you can't restore/delete previously backed-up files with the new version", (which, if it's true, makes Norton a worthless product), to, "It is impossible to delete your back-up files, no-one knows why this problem has occurred, would you like to buy some more back-up storage space" (yeah, right!).
I would certainly never use their back-up facility again and would counsel anyone else to avoid it too.
I used the 4 GB available for Norton backup online storage. When I did a restore to a different location, it restored 1.6 GB. I contacted support and they couldn't tell me what is consuming the other 2.4 GB. Maybe it is storing old versions of files. If so, I don't see any settings for that and I don't see an option to delete old versions.
Yes I had exactly the same bad experience with Norton restore files.
I lost count how many times I used their online support "engineers" without success.
They admitted having my files backed up but could not run the restore process.
On each occasion they promised an assurance that their "elite team" were looking into the issue and would contact me within 48 hours.
Of course they never did - not by email or telephone as they repeatedly assured me they would.
2 weeks ago they had the cheek to send me a questionaire regarding my satisfaction with the issue they had RESOLVED forme!!!!
I gave them zero for everything - expecting some response to the added frustrations with Norton that I outlined. They never replied.
I will never buy a symantec product again.
I bought my latest version online. This is the second time I had to reformat my HD and therefore lose my copy of Norton 360.
I have a file that is a Norton Backup, I have a product key, but I can't seem to find a way of getting my Norton from Symantec.
Help please.
Hello Jean-Paul, I think it shouldn't be a problem. Just download a trial version of Norton 360, active it with your product key and restore data from the backup.
Just got norton 360 to replace my old norton system works. Well, I am still not too sure is norton backup really that useful. Compare to the older symantec products in nsw, namely norton goback and ghost, norton backup just sucks.
For a system restorer, it is completely helpless when you screwed up your windows/harddisk. What can we do with the stuff that norton backup produces when we cant even load windows...
Well, atleast goback and ghost are "almost free" (i mean you can find and download for free easily or just pick it up from an old NSW disk).
Yep - Found out that you cannot do a "Full" backup. Norton 360, unlike Norton Ghost (great product, by the way), will just back up your personal folders. I have just had one of my clients purchase a 1.5TB Iomega external HD specifically for backups, and have spent several hours trying to get the 360 Backup to do what Norton Ghost does. That is what I thought 360 was supposed to do, even allows you check the "C", which lulls you into thinking that you will get a full systems backup. Doesn't work that way, so going to try to install Ghost 10 or 14 along with Norton 360.. Norton Ghost has allowed me to do two full recoveries after total destructive crashes. After restoring, you couldn't tell that new hard drives were installed and systems had been restored.
when i try to back up my files it brings up a screen that says connect to your norton account but when i type in my e mail adress it says unable to set up online back up can anyone help
Are you sure it is the same e-mail address you use for your Norton Account?
Advantages of Norton is really appreciable. Thanks for providing! I also want to share my antispyware www.search-and-destroy.com which I have explored, I got true results, promise it will assist you more.
Hey thanks! I never really got around to learning how to back up my files with norton and it's been on my mind lately too. This was good timing for me and I saved your page here in my bookmarks. Nice shots make it easy to understand.
I tried to add and to remove some files and folders from the backup set. Now hardly anything is set to backup and there are grey indicators over every file icon. Short of reinstalling, does anybody know how I can reset to the original default backup setings?
I am having similar problems:
1) Gray indicators on some files.
2) Selected files are not being backed up.
3) I cannot remove files from the backup list either through Norton 360 or Windows Explorer.
Support has reinstalled several times and cannot figure it out either. They said they would report it to Symantec and I have heard nothing.
Gosh, seems I'm not the only one.
Not only cannot I properly restore stuff - I cannot even back up only things I want. So much for a backup product.
And Symantec Tech Support is quite useless. If interested, I've put all my story on my webpage, http://www.podajdalej.com/n360/
I am running Norton 360's Restore feature as you mentioned in this article however, I am unable to restore from the backup DVDs from my clients computer. My clients PC's hard drive has failed but before doing so he has mentioned that he successfully made the backup to two DVD's with Norton 360. I have since reinstalled Windows and re-installed Norton 360 successfully on a brand new hard drive but when I try to select the DVD option from Norton's 360 Restore I get a general error;
"Norton 360 was unable to find a valid backup on the inserted disk, or no disk was present. Would you like to try again?"
Windows Explorer shows the DVD and I can view the N360_BACKUP folder with another folder which appears to be some long Hex number in between the brackets { and }. Deeper into the directories of the backup DVD there are more folders starting with {0, {1, {2, etc...
How can I restore my clients files onto the new hard drive? Anyone's help is greatly appreciated. I presume that these files are encrypted and that only Norton 360 will be able to restore them? Is the backup DVDs corrupted?
Sorry, can't help with the technical problem but might be able to clean up your English:
You write "...DVDs from my clients computer. My clients PC's hard drive has failed but before doing so he has mentioned that he successfully made the backup to two DVD's"
1st "DVDs" correct.
"my clients computer" wrong (client's - a possessive).
"My clients PC's" - a double clanger! Should be "My client's" (possessive) then PCs (plural not possessive).
Then you round off with "two DVD's". Pity, you got it right the first time (DVDs).
Hope you solve your technical problem. Pleased to have been of some help anyhow.
whats the issue with grammer this is an online Internet forum, not an english class.... get a life
Listen, no one asked for your grammar advice. It's not even accurate. You say "My clients PC's" should be changed to "My client's PCs", where "PCs" is a plural. WRONG! The client has one PC only, so the possessive form is correct.
Having the insolence to come here and correct someone's grammar who is in need of technical help is one thing, but to give wrong advice is just laughable. I hope you come back here and read all of these comments made in response to your horrendous post.
It's clear that you're a frustrated individual that can only seem to vent by taking upon yourself the role of grammar police in random online technical support sites. Hope you get laid buddy, since you are obviously in need of getting some.
Hey you really are a jerk with your grammar and spelling corrections. And not helpful at all.
This person did not ask for grammar advice...Keep it to yourself and use this site to address the issues stated.
Is this English class or a technical problem help line? Why waste our time with your ridiculous response and your so called pearls of 'wisdom'. People are searching for legitimate answers to technical problems they are having, not ignorant "know-it- alls correcting their grammer! If making people feel stupid is your gig. You might what to find a new hobby!
I agree. For the record, I teach business writing, and the first thing you learn in this field is that all writing is context-specific. The real irony--in the context of an informal Internet help line, there wasn't a darn thing wrong with the guy's grammar; but in the context of an informal Internet help line, his detractor's post was one great, big mistake.
I first downloaded norton 360 on my hard drive. Ive done back ups and whatever for the past year. Now my hard drive has crashed is not even readable. I installed a new hard drive but where is all the data that it said was stored with norton 360. Is it online. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this depend on the choice of backup setting either online or hard drive, if online it could be restored but if on HD it is possibly lost,sorry
The default backup location for N360 should be Online. In order to restore your data you will need to reinstall N360, click on Restore Files, and then at the top where it says 1. Restore From find the Change button over on the right. Once you click Change you should see a listing of a couple of Online Storage locations. Pick the one that corresponds to your old PC name (if you don't know you can just pick one and see which files are available for restore). This should give you access to your old online backups.
It depends what location did you choose. If I am not wrong, the online storage is not the default one. I hope you didn't backup to the same drive...
I have exactly the same problem.
The DVDs are readable, I can list the content with folder and subfolders etc.
I can select what type of files i want restored but the restore process fail.
iI HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLE, NORTON IS UNABLE / UNVILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY DO NOT ANSWER MY E-MAILS ANYMORE.
THE DVDS ARE REABLE, I CAN LIST THE CONTENT WITH FOLDER AND SUBFOLDERS ETC, I CAN SELECT WHAT I WANT RESTORED, BUT THE RESTORE PROCESS FAILS.
ANYBODY SMARTER THAN NORTON OUT THERE ??
Hi, maybe a stupid question from me, but is the DVD readable? Did you tried to copy all its files to the computer? It is the basic test of readability.
I have copied both DVDs to the second Hard Drive partition but I am still unable to get Norton 360 to detect these files. I have noticed that Norton 360 creates two files backup.@db and a hidden *.DAT file named DiscID. It seems Norton 360 tries to look for either both of these files or one of them so that you can see the option to choose the backup files from the Hard drive. I find that upon when Norton 360 creates its backup it creates these files right after the N360_BACKUP directory.
In my case for example;
D:\N360_BACKUP\backup.@db
D:\N360_BACKUP\DiskID.DAT
When creating a backup that has to be spanned across multiple backup DVDs however, it creates a different path.
On DVD #1:
E:\N360_BACKUP\{0338B7BD-7F37-49D7-9F9D-9B8D03FFFB68}\DiskID.dat
On DVD #2:
E:\N360_BACKUP\{0338B7BD-7F37-49D7-9F9D-9B8D03FFFB68}\DiskID.dat
E:\N360_BACKUP\{0338B7BD-7F37-49D7-9F9D-9B8D03FFFB68}\backup.@db
Unfortunately, there is no option in the restore part of Norton 360 where I can "choose a path/directory" where my backup files are located. It will only show radio buttons to choose between the Hard drive, Backup DVD or the secure online storage after I click on the Change button.
Any insight on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
In the mean time a quick Google search on these types of Norton backup files turns out to be pointer files to where you can locate them but in this guys case in the link:
http://norton.lithium.com/norton/board/message?board.id=Norton_360&threa...
The end result was that he was in contact with Norton Developers and they used a tool to recover the files one by one. Does anyone know where I can locate or obtain this recovery tool?
If not at this point I will be contacting Norton Online support right now to find out if they can fix this for me.
This is crazy :-( I'm starting to afraid if my backups will be usable if really needed :-( Let us know if you will go to a successful end.
Yay! Managed to figure this one out on my own.
Turns out that when my client created the DVD backups he did so on the updated version of Norton 360 Version 2.
I was trying to restore the files using Version 1.
If you still have an active license with Norton 360 version 1, It is recommended to use Norton's Removal tool to uninstall Norton 360 version 1 first. The removal tool can be located here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/200708071622343...
Then you can update to the newest version by downloading the following Norton 360 file here:
http://liveupdate.symantec.com/upgrade/N360S200.exe
I have also noticed a pattern on how the backups are recovered that are spanned across multiple CDs/DVDs. It is important that Norton 360 locates DiskID.DAT file and backup.@db file in the same path. You should see both of these files stored on the very last cd/dvd backup copy you have. In my case it will be on the 2nd DVD. If you have made copies that spanned across 3 DVDs for example, then you will see both DiskID.DAT file and backup.@db file on the 3rd DVD.
Once you have version 2 of Norton 360 installed and updated, put in the last CD/DVD backup and Norton 360 will check the disk then ask for the first CD/DVD backup. From there it will start to restore your files and will ask for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc... CD/DVDs inclusive.
Another way to tell if your backups are backed up using Norton 360 version 2 is the nature of the directories themselves. Norton 360 version 2 backups will have the extra directory with the { and } with the long Hex numbers in between after the N360_BACKUP folder.
For example;
- Norton 360 version 1 backup path would be:
D:\N360_BACKUP\
- Norton 360 version 2 backup path would be:
D:\N360_BACKUP\{0338B7BD-7F37-49D7-9F9D-9B8D03FFFB68}\
I hope this helps for everyone especially FMANN as this has worked for me. :)
Thanks for sharing Max, nice post!
Hi Thanks for your replies. That is why I am trying to do right now. The DVD backup files are copying to the 2nd partition I have made on the hard drive. I will keep you guys posted to see if this step works. If not I will find out if I can initiate a remote desktop assistance if Norton Support has the ability to do so from Chat.
For anyone else for your info, I am running Windows XP Home edition with all the updates installed with SP3. Norton 360 is fully updated and and has all the green check marks in its fields.
Hi,
My computer went crazy this week and apparently, my hard drive is dead. My files were only backed up on Norton 360. The problem is that I can't access the restore page, all week, it said Authorization failed, try again later. Does anyone have the same problem or is it just me?
Hi, try to send a new password to your e-mail.
Unfortunately, it is not working either and it says authorization failed...
Are you able to login to your account with the same credentilas here https://www.mynortonaccount.com/ ?
I currently use Acronis for full system backups. Norton 360 looks like a good option for select backups, but 2 gb is not enough for me. In pictures alone I have over 4 gb! Having two kids and a wife that loves to take pictures can create large backup problems.
I keep getting the orange exclamation point indicating something isn't right w/ norton. I get nervous and it turns out it's just for the backup, saying "You have low storage for online backup, please add more storage." I have since changed where I backup my files to (now they're going to my external hard drive) I don't want to buy more storage and I want that orange exclamation point to go away. Is there a way to do this? thank you!
I had this problem, so I disabled the backups.
No more orange exclamations but no backup from Norton 360 either.
The backups on Norton 360 may seem like a good thing but they tend not to be of much use.
Just my impression and experience using Norton 360.
I don't use Norton 360 for backups any longer.