Seed Your Initial Backup To DFW DataVault
If you have lots of information to back up (> 10 GB), backing up online could take weeks. With so much data going over the wire, backing up online might not seem practical.
With our Seeded Backup solution we can help you get your backup started in days instead of weeks. Benefits of seeding include:
- Speeding up an initial online backup
- Convenient solution for large backups (> 10 GB)
- Simple, hassle-free operation
How does it work?
- You place your order (we strive to ship all orders within 1 business day).
- You receive an external USB drive and back up to it with the CrashPlan-DFWDV software as a Local Folder.
We include instructions for setting up and backing up the hard drive in the box containing the drive. DFW DataVault Seeding Setup - You send the drive back (with shipping label provided).
- We copy your backup archive to our data center.
- You use DFW DataVault as backup destination.
How long would my initial backup really take?
Initial Backup Time Calculation
Additional Details
How many files can I send you?
We'll send you either a 32GB Flash Drive or a 1TB USB drive. Thanks to compression you'll be able to fit about 48GB/1.5TB of data on the drive. Photos (which are already compressed files) won't compress much. Files that are mostly text, compress better.
Are my files safe in transit?
Yes. Your data is encrypted, so even if the drive is lost, there is no risk to your personal files.
Can I seed more than one computer at once?
Yes, providing all of the files fit on one drive.
Can I send you one of my own drives?
No. We've tested our drives for our hardware. To ensure a reliable backup, we need you to seed your backup with our drives.
What should I do, if I have more than a TB to backup?
You use the 1TB seeded and when your backup continues after your data is on our servers, everything else selected for backup will be added to your archive. Still saving you a lot of time.
Where will you keep my files?
Our data safe is a Tier 1 Datacenter in Dallas, Texas.
How long will you hold my files?
We retain your backup archive as long as you have an active DFW DataVault subscription.
Where is this offer available?
50 US States and all Military POs.
Where are you located?
We're located in Dallas, Texas, which means even Ground Shipping takes only 3 or 4 days to most places. Our goal is to ship the drive the next business day.
If you want to come to our office and drop off your backup, we will be glad to receive you, but please let us know beforehand.
What if I decide to keep the drive?
You have 21 days from the date of purchase to return the drive to us. If we have not received the drive within that time, we will assume you are keeping the drive and charge your credit card an additional $100/$200.
Do I have to pay to ship the drive back?
No. Price includes shipping BOTH ways.
Where are my instructions?
We include instructions for setting up and backing up the hard drive in the box containing the drive. If you cannot locate them, click for a PDF version of the DFW DataVault Seeding Setup
What if I'm already backing up to DFW DataVault?
Seeding is intended for your initial backup.
When the seed is loaded onto our servers, any files you backed up to DFW DataVault are completely overwritten/replaced with the files on the seed. It's as if the day you start backup to the seed drive is day 1 of your backup to DFW DataVault. You will not be able to restore versions of files that you backed up to DFW DataVault before your seed backup started.
Shipping Backup Archive from DFW DataVault
In an emergency, we can ship your backed up files to you on a hard drive, so that you can restore locally. Here's how to get started:
- Send an email to sales@dfwdatavault.com
- Subject line text: Ship DFWDV Restore
- In the email message, provide contact info, including:
- Your full name
- Account email address, if different from the email address you are sending the message from
- Shipping address
- Shipping option - regular or 2-day
- Important: Contact telephone number and best time to reach you
- Our staff will contact you to get billing info and complete your order.
- In several days (depending on which shipping option you choose) you will receive a USB drive from DFW DataVault with instructions.