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V Stuff Backup: Getting started

What is V Stuff?
What is V Stuff Backup?
How much can I back up?
How do I know how much data I’ve stored?
What’s the difference between Backup and Storage?
Why do I need Backup?
How secure is Backup?
How do I get BAckup?
What username and password do I use to log in?
How do I start backing up?
How do I select what I want to back up? How do I know what I should back up?
How many computers can I back up?
How do I allocate storage quotas to other people in my household?
How do I upgrade to get more space?
How long will it take to change my entitlements if I upgrade my service?
What’s the difference between first come first serve and individual limit when sharing my space allocation?
I share my computer with a member of household. Can we create separate backups on the same computer?
How do I know Backup is working?
Will it work on any PC or Mac?
What are the recommended computer specifications for using V Stuff Backup?

What is V Stuff?

V Stuff is a new service for Virgin Media’s broadband customers. It consists of four key parts, all wrapped up in a simple and fantastic online experience:

Backup - this feature automatically and securely backs up your computer files so you never lose valuable documents, photos or music files again. Once up and running, you don't need to worry – new or changed files in your selected folders will be backed up automatically
Storage - gives you extra space to store photos, music, videos and documents - it's just like a virtual memory stick!
Photos – loads of high quality digital phone prints delivered straight to your door, for Free*. Depending on your broadband package you’ll get different levels of free prints. To check out your allowance please visit the Photos section of My Virgin Media
Sharing – allows you to easily share backed up or stored files, including documents, photos and video, with friends & family. You can also view, play and edit files from any computer, anywhere

* Subject to Terms and Conditions

What is V Stuff Backup?

It’s a service that automatically creates and maintains an exact copy of important files on your computer, and keeps them in a safe place in case something happens to your files. The service works by having a program installed on your computer that watches folders for any files being created, changed or deleted, and updates the copy in our secure data centre.

How much can I back up?

It depends on the level of service you have, but most Virgin Media broadband customers are entitled to at least 5 GB – this is equivalent to around 1,000 music tracks, 2,000 high resolution digital photos, 8 movies or 400 documents.

You are entitled to more space with higher broadband packages, or you can upgrade to V Stuff Unlimited for a small monthly fee.

How do I know how much data I’ve stored?

You can see how much backup and storage space you’ve used in the V Stuff area of My Virgin Media, in the status bar at the top right of V Stuff online, and on the top right hand corner of V Stuff Backup software program on your computer.

We’ll warn you via a little pop-up message on your computer when you get close to your allowance; you’ll then need to do one of three things:

delete some files
upgrade to V Stuff Unlimited for a small monthly fee, which allows you to back up and store an unlimited* amount of data
upgrade to a higher broadband package, which will double your broadband speeds and give you access to a higher storage and backup allowance.

You can upgrade your service in My Virgin Media.

* Subject to our Acceptable Use Policy

What’s the difference between Backup and Storage?

Backup creates an exact copy of stuff selected on your computer. The backup service works using software on your computer, which works seamlessly in the background. Changed or newly created files in your selected folders are backed up automatically in real-time when your computer is switched on and online on the internet. Backed up files can be viewed online through the V Stuff Online interface, and you can restore lost or damaged files back to your computer.

Storage is an area where you can store files that aren’t part of your computer backup, e.g. files from another computer at work, university or library. It’s just like a personal online memory stick - you can put stuff in there for safe keeping, and access it from any computer, anywhere, with your username and password. You can also access your backed up files, and do a whole lot more at V Stuff Online.

Why do I need Backup?

Imagine if your computer suddenly crashed and you lost every file and digital photo you had on it permanently? You could be burgled, spill a cup of tea into your computer, or drop your laptop on the floor, and your precious memories could be lost forever. Here's a simple service to ensure this nightmare can't happen. V Stuff Backup automatically stores copies of your valuable photos & documents, and keeps them secure in case you need to restore them in the event of your computer being lost, stolen, or irreparably damaged.

Backup works quietly in the background keeping an up to date copy of all the files and folders you select.

Once up and running, everything is done for you. As you change or add files, V Stuff takes care of everything.

How secure is Backup?

Your data is safer on our servers than it is on your computer because of the advanced security we use, and the precautions we take.

A lot of people back up their data on external drives, but these could also be destroyed or lost if you were a victim of a burglary, or if there was a fire or a flood in your home. Your backup is stored well away from your computer in our secure data centre, where it is regularly backed up.

How do I get V Stuff Backup?

If you’ve not been to My Virgin Media, you’ll need to log in with your main Virgin Media username and password, and go to V Stuff to activate it on your account. You can also download the software you’ll need here. You need to install it on your computer, and then follow the on-screen instructions to choose which files and folders you want to back up.

What username and password do I use to log in?

Your username and password are the same as the email address and password you selected when you joined Virgin Media. This enables you to log in to My Virgin Media and gain access to V Stuff. Your email address will end with @virginmedia.com, @ntlworld.com, @blueyonder.co.uk or @virgin.net.

How do I start backing up?

It’s easy. Install the backup software for the first time and it will guide through the process. Don’t worry - it doesn’t take long to set up and select the folders and files you want to back up. You then set a time to start it off. After that you don’t need to do a thing. Backup keeps your stuff up to date in real time. If you create, change, rename or delete files, your backed up versions will be updated immediately.

You can get the backup software by logging in to My Virgin Media and going to V Stuff.

How do I select what I want to back up? How do I know what I should back up?

Once you install the backup software it will guide you step by step to select files and folders. We’ll make it easy by selecting common folders from your computer, such as My Documents and My Pictures, and everything in these folders will then be backed up. You’ll also be able to customise your own selection, and choose the exact folders and files you want backed up.

How many computers can I back up?

You can back up a maximum of 5 computers. This could include for example your main home computer, your work laptop if you use it at home, your second computer at home, or other family members’ PCs.

To create new backups, you simply need to install the backup software on the computer you want backed up, and follow the on-screen instructions.

How do I allocate storage quotas to other people in my household?

If you are the main Virgin Media account holder, you can allow four additional household members to use V Stuff. That means Mum, Dad and the kids can all have their own accounts, each of which will be private. Only the account holder will be able to view their content.

You need to set up a user account for that person first. You can do that in the household accounts section of My Virgin Media. Once set up, you can then allow them to use the service in the V Stuff area of My Virgin Media, and allocate them a data allowance if you want.

How do I upgrade to get more space?

Just go to the V Stuff section of My Virgin Media, and follow the upgrade link.

Upgrading your broadband service will entitle most customers to more speed, more storage space and more free photo prints. You can find all the details in My Virgin Media.

Alternatively, you can just purchase unlimited storage for a small monthly fee.

How long will it take to change my entitlements if I upgrade my service?

Generally, it will take up to 48 hours before your new entitlements are available to you.

What’s the difference between first come first serve and individual limits when sharing my space allocation?

Here’s how it breaks down. You can let any user in your household use the space available on your storage service on a first come first serve basis, but this means than one member of your household could fill up the entire storage space before anyone else can use it. The other option is to set an allowance for each individual in the house. That way, the allowance can be shared out fairly, and each user will get individual alerts when they get close to their allowance.

I share my computer with a member of household. Can we create separate backups on the same computer?

Yes, no problem. You will first need to enable your household members to use the service by setting them up as users of the service. If you are the main Virgin Media account holder, just visit My Virgin Media and then go to V Stuff, choose the Manage V Stuff option and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once you’ve set up additional users, they will need to download the V Stuff Backup software under their own Windows account, and log in to the service using their own Virgin Media details when prompted.

How do I know back up is working?

There are several ways to check:

- check the size of your backed up data in the top right hand panel of V Stuff Online or visit My Virgin Media and go to V Stuff section; have you used some of your allotted capacity?

- check if the V Stuff icon is visible in the notification area in bottom right of your screen

- open the program from the icon in the notification area at the bottom right of your screen, and look for green “Real-time Backup Active” button

- open the backup software and see if the status says 'Online'.

Will it work on any PC or Mac?

V Stuff Backup software works on Windows XP and Vista. Unfortunately, Macs are currently not supported. Please check back with us soon though, as we are rolling out a version that works on Macs very shortly. You can still use V Stuff to upload files, and share and print photos online!

Unfortunately V Stuff Backup software does not work on Windows Vista 64-bit. If you are not sure what operating system you have, you can normally find out by going to Start > Settings > Control Panel > System.

What are the recommended computer specifications for using V Stuff Backup?

Windows XP

Minimum:

Processor supporting Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit
Memory: 256 MB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Display: Min. 8-bit (256 colours)
Disk Space: 50 MB free HD space; additional space for large file backup
Internet Connection: an Internet Connection is required for backup to work

Recommended:

Processor: 1 GHz or higher
Memory: 512 MB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Display: Min. 16-bit (65000 colours)
Disk Space: 500 MB free HD space
Internet Connection: a broadband Internet Connection with at least 192 kbit/s upstream speed

Windows Vista