Frequently Asked Questions - Page 1

FAQs Index 

Page 1

Startup and Installation

What is Mistral and what services are provided by CompuSure?
How can I subscribe to Mistral Data Backup Service?
What operating systems are supported by the Mistral Backup Service?
What are the minimum system requirements needed to run Mistral?
How long does it take to install the Mistral software?
How will my backups take place?
How long will my backups take?
How much does Mistral Data Backup Service cost?

Page 2

Data Security 

How secure is my data on the internet and once it is stored?
Why is effective data backup becoming increasingly important?
What is the advantage of Mistral over conventional backup methods?
What are the chances of loss of data in our day to day operations?

Integration With Existing System

Does Mistral affect my tape backups, if I continue to perform them?
Will Mistral backup open files on my system?
How flexible can my Mistral application be?
If my entire hard drive is lost, how do I restore my data?
Can Mistral backup more than just a single desktop computer?  
What about local area networks (LANS) or even WANS?

Misc. Program Use

What  if my connection is interrupted in the middle of a backup?
How long does Mistral IT store end-user client data for online access?
What kind of audit trail does Mistral provide?
What about viruses?
What benefits beyond daily data backup do I enjoy by subscribing?

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions 

Startup and Installation

Mistral is an automatic data backup service that runs on all Personal Computers (desktop or notebook). It is capable of backing up all, or a portion of, the files typically found on the hard drives of these computers to a remote server over the internet.  Mistral is the safest, easiest, and most affordable way to secure your data.  Mistral will backup and restore your system using the Internet every day over any internet connection:

* Automatically, on a regularly schedule - no personnel intervention required.
* Securely, uses 448-bit Blowfish encryption only you can open with your KEY
* Conveniently,  real time, intuitive interface both backup and restore.
* Remotely, encrypted data is held at a secure facility with 4X redundancy
   and can be accessed from another PC, anywhere with an appropriate KEY

* Economically, less expensive than other methods: Zip-floppy-tape-disk    

CompuSure, Inc. represents the service provider that supplies the software and hardware used to back up your PC, and is responsible for initiation of service, training, and ongoing maintenance of accounts.

To subscribe simply download the fully functional program from the Download  page on this website at any time and install it at your convenience.  Alternatively, you may call CompuSure at (704) 489-0011 or contact us via any of the means listed.  We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, including installation of Mistral on your computer.  

CompuSure offers this trial package on a no risk basis.  You are free to use the software for ten (10) days.  If the program meets your expectations, continue to use it.  We will arrange to bill you or establish a credit card account from that date forward. If, on the other hand, you are not fully satisfied, just "uninstall" the program. You are not obligated in any way. 

Windows operating systems 98SE, ME, XP and NT/2000/3.  

Minimum System Requirements

--PC with a Pentium Processor or higher 
--Windows 98SE, ME, XP or NT/2000/3
--Minimum of 32MB RAM
--Minimum of 15 MB hard disk space
--Minimum 28.8K link or better... Any type of Internet connection: 

   Phone Modem, ISDN, ADSL, Cable or T1 

It only takes about 5-10 minutes to actually perform an install.  However, if it's your first try and you intend to explore the program while you're at it, better leave yourself a little more time.  For CD media, start the Windows File Manager or Explorer. Select the drive containing the software and click on “setup.exe”.  For downloaded self extracting files, simply double click the file on the desktop or in a separate folder.  In either case once the install process has started, follow on-screen instructions and customize for your backup plan and personal preferences.  Communication options may be selected, as well as time of day for backup to occur, and files to be selected for the backup, can also be configured.  Mistral includes an extensive Help utility.

After the Mistral software has been installed, the program will prompt you for information, attempt to connect the server, and register. At this point  you should perform a brief test by selecting a few files to backup. If all goes well, Mistral will report its success. You may then select those directories and files that you feel are are critical. Once you have completed the setup exit the program and Mistral will drop into background mode to await the scheduler's call to automatically perform daily backups with its default settings.  That is, it will attempt to backup any and all files you have selected at the time designated, usually 12:00 midnight.  

You will notice a small Mistral icon has been added to the taskbar.  Left click this to open the Mistral program. Right click this to bring up a control menu.  To change the scheduled backup time, simply adjust the days or times using the "Schedule tab".  Mistral automatically recognizes your entire C:\ drive, as well as any mapped network drives, but it will backup only what you select. Tailor your backup choices using the "Backup tab".  

During its first backup Mistral will compress, encrypt and save all selected files via your Internet connection to the server. Thereafter, only files that have changed since the last backup are sent.

Mistral includes an extensive Help utility.  

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With a minimum backup set the first full backup may require less than an hour.   If, on the other hand, you choose to backup your entire system (OS, applications, and data) the process may take considerably longer, perhaps more than one night.  This is not a problem for Mistral since its backup process is cumulative. Mistral can be stopped and started, even disconnected repeatedly without loosing it's place.  Once the initial "snapshot" of your PC has been uploaded to the server, your subsequent daily backups may take only minutes, depending upon how  much data has been added or changed from the previous day's backup.  When complete, you will  have at least one (1) and eventually thirty (30) data sets stored in a secure, remote facility. 

Daily backup service for the average PC user can be as low as $29.95 per month for the 1 gigabyte minimum. That is a little more than ninety nine ($0.99) cents a day to secure your data like the fortune 500 companies. This is a fraction of the price you'd pay for conventional monitored data storage. Of course, pricing is based on the amount of storage required.  

These prices include a free 10 day trial period.  Simply download the fully functional program at any time and install it at your convenience.  CompuSure offers this trial package on a no risk basis.  You are free to use the software for ten (10) days with full backup security.  If the program meets your expectations, continue to use it.  We will contact you to arrange billing you from that date forward.  If, on the other hand, you are not fully satisfied, just "uninstall" the program. You are not obligated in any way. 

At $29.95 per month, the service is exceptionally cost-effective in comparison to paying an employee to undertake daily backups. For instance, if an employee takes 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, to manually perform backups, the employer will be paying for approximately 10 hours of employee time per month, per PC. Depending on how much the employee is paid, this typically would cost at least $100.00- $120.00 per month, per PC in real employee costs! 

Payment methods include credit card or quarterly billing. A 20% discount is offered for annual payment.