Get Started - Mac

Mac Client User Guide

 

1.1   New Interface

The first time you log into Livedrive on your device you will be presented with the Welcome Wizard, which will run through your first backup.

  

Having logged in successfully, the system will save your credentials and use them to log you in automatically in the future. You may, however, specify (in “Security Settings”, see below) that you wish to re-enter the password each time.

1.1.2 Livedrive icon in Menu Bar

When Livedrive is running, it installs an icon in the right side of the menu bar. This status menu reflects the changes that have occurred in the client. When logged out you can click on the Livedrive icon, and this will bring up the tray menu.

If you are already logged on the Livedrive menu will have different options as shown:

              

1.1.3 Login

After logging out the login box will appear, if this is closed you can return to this box by opening the client.

 

Once you have logged in you will be taken to the Dashboard within the Control Centre.

1.2   Dashboard

The Dashboard acts as an information centre for you and provides you with summaries on the current status of your Backups, Briefcase and account details. It contains three main elements: a Message Bar, a Backup Dashboard, a Briefcase Dashboard, and an Account Information panel.

 

1.2.1 Message Bar

The Dashboard Message Bar shows you what Livedrive is doing and the results of any operations or any errors encountered. These are always visible when you are on the Dashboard section of the Control Panel. Some of the notifications you will see are shown below.

 

1.2.2 Backup Dashboard

The Control Centre also enables you to initiate a scan of your backed up files directly from the Backup Dashboard. When this option is accessed Livedrive calculates the size of the files for backup and provides a real time update of estimated time to completion.

Once you have begun to back up your files and folders the Backup Dashboard displays the percentage total of the backup completed via a constantly updating circular progress bar that provides an estimate of the remaining length of your backup. 

 

After the backup has been completed the Backup Dashboard will show the time of the next scheduled backup along with the exact amount of data uploaded.

The Backup Dashboard will also scan for new files and folders to add to your cloud. During a backup, whilst new files and folders are being located, the Backup Dashboard will display the message ‘Scanning’.

If the client cannot detect an internet connection or if the transfer rate falls to zero for more than 15 seconds, the display will inform you that you are currently offline and your files cannot backed up.

1.2.3 Briefcase Dashboard

This option on the Dashboard allows users to access the Briefcase folder directly through the Control Centre and provides you with an up to date view of your uploads and downloads.

Once Livedrive begins to sync files and folders to your Briefcase, the upload and download icons and up to date texts will change to provide you with information on how many files the Briefcase are uploading/downloading.

 

If you have not yet added any files or folders to their Briefcase, the display will inform you of the benefits of the Briefcase and how you can learn more.

 

1.3   Settings

This option on the Control Panel gives you access to three different settings categories - Backup Selection, Security Settings and Advanced Settings.

 

1.3.1 Backup Selection

Backup Selection allows you to do three specific actions; view which folders are currently being backed up, add any new folders that you would like to back up, and view and change the backup schedule.

Backup Selection allows you to add or remove any folders on your computer by simply clicking the checkbox next to the folder name to select or deselect the folder in question or using the add another folder button.

 

When you choose to add a folder you are directed to another screen on the client that allows you to navigate through your system from top level volumes and drives and select which of these you want to backup. You can add folders to your backup by clicking on the Add button.

 

If you decide to remove a folder from the backup, once the checkbox is de-selected the background colour of the bar will change colour to red and after you confirm you want this removed the folder bar will disappear from the table. 

If a folder has been renamed since the last time you accessed the client, the folder row will show a pink background and you user will be prompted to uncheck and remove this. Once this is done you user can then add the folder again under its recent title.

NAS drives cannot be added to scheduled backups unless you have purchased an add-on for these drives. If you try to perform this action an error box will inform you that you need to get the necessary subscription for this.

1.3.2 Manage Schedule

This option allows you to manage the frequency of back ups. You can set a backup interval period along with the time of day this backup should occur.

  

1.3.3 Security Settings

The majority of clients’ settings are now housed under their specific branches on Advanced Settings apart from Security Settings, which are now part of the top level of settings.

Security Settings provide three features: providing you with the option of encrypting the contents of your Briefcase, providing you with the option of having the client prompt you for a password each time you attempt to start up the client, and providing you with the option of having Livedrive run automatically when you log in to your Mac account.

 

 

However if the Briefcase is disabled Security Settings will only see the options to allow you to change whether you require a password prompt upon login or choose whether Livedrive starts automatically, the option to encrypt the Briefcase is not presented.

1.3.4 Advanced Settings

The Advanced Settings within the Control Centre contains all the settings that would be of interest to advanced users. This no longer includes the Security option, as this has been moved to the top level Security screen on the control panel.

 

The Advanced settings have been slightly modified from the previous version as, ‘Online Files’ now reads as ‘Briefcase Files’.

You can navigate into any of these screens by simply clicking on any of the icons.

The specific settings have also been changed to give you a better and smoother experience.

1.3.4.1    Priorities

The Priorities setting allows you to set which files you want the Briefcase to prioritise for uploading or downloading. This is a handy feature that ensures your most important files are constantly synced with the cloud. For example if Livedrive is used for both personal and work files you can prioritise file types such as word and excel over music and video file types to ensure your work documents are constantly being updated.

1.3.4.2 Bandwidth

You can also configure the amount of bandwidth the client uses for uploading and downloading files to and from the cloud.

 

1.3.4.3    Backup Exclusions

Backup Exclusions allow you to choose which file types or folders you do not want backed up on Livedrive.

From here you can either select specific file types such as ‘.exe’ and ‘.iso’ file types, or specific folders.

 

You can also view online the system folders and file types that Livedrive does not back up such as temporary, system and browser file types.

 

1.3.4.4 Lan Transfers

You can use LAN transfers to automatically sync all files in you Briefcase to other computers currently over your LAN that also have the Livedrive software installed.

 

You can check or uncheck the tick boxes to select if you want to activate/de-activate LAN transfers and then to select which of the devices on the network you want to share their Briefcase files with.

1.3.4.5 Proxy

The Proxy setting allows you to access Livedrive through a web proxy. You can configure your proxy either through a SOCKS protocol or a Web Proxy. If you choose Web Proxy the SOCKS server field changes to an IP Address text field.

  

1.3.4.6 System Status

The System Status setting provides you with information on any issues that may be currently affecting Livedrive.

 

1.3.4.7 Briefcase Files

You can now view and manage your online files under the Briefcase Files setting. These options were housed under Online Files in the previous version.

You can configure how Livedrive handles files that other devices have added to the Briefcase, along with how these files that are currently stored on the cloud should be opened.

If you choose to have all files on the Briefcase downloaded to your computer, you can add exceptions to this. For example if you have videos and documents stored on the Briefcase in the cloud you can choose to exclude multimedia file extensions and/or limit the maximum size file that can be downloaded.

 

However if you do not want files to be automatically downloaded to your computer you can choose to just store files on the cloud. If you do want certain files to be saved on your computer you can add exceptions to this by adding file extensions or choosing to download files smaller than a certain size.

 

1.3.4.8 Integrity Check

Integrity Check allows you to run a health check on your computer. This checks your files and folders are correctly synced to the cloud.

 

When you run an Integrity Check the client will compare the files on your system to those on the cloud to ensure they are synced correctly. Once this is complete, Livedrive will update any files that are not protected in the background.

  

1.3.4.9 Turn Briefcase Off

You can choose to turn off their Briefcase on your system if you only wish to access your files from the web portal.

This action will restart Livedrive and you will no longer be able to access Encryption, Priorities, LAN Transfers and Briefcase Files as these only apply to the Briefcase. You can turn your Briefcase feature back on by selecting this on the Briefcase Dashboard or by doing this in Advanced Settings.

 

1.4   Restore

The Restore function allows the user to select which files they would like to restore. The user will be directed to the select device screen that lists all the different devices that have been backed up on the cloud with the most recent at the top.

By double-clicking on a device they can view the files and folders that have been backed up from this device.

 

1.4.1   Restore Folder

When restoring data, the user will be presented with several different options dependent on the file, folder and device they are using. 

If the user chooses to restore a folder where the original location exists on their system they will be presented with the option of either restoring this to the original folder location or choosing a new folder to restore to.  If the file to be restored already exists the user can choose to skip the file, keep the newest file or overwrite the existing file on their system. 

 

If the original location does not exist you will only have the option to choose a new folder to restore to.

Upon completion of a restoration process you will be provided with information on the status of the restoration and the option to view a restore report. If there were any issues with the restore process you are presented with the option of restarting the restore process or going back to the beginning of the restore process.

1.4.2   Restore File

If you choose to restore a file that has previously been backed up, you will be presented with the option to restore previous versions of this to either the original folder or an alternative one.

If there are no previous versions of this file you will only be presented with the option of restoring the single version that is backed up.

 

If the same file exists in the destination folder for the restore you are presented with the option to overwrite the existing file.

Upon completion of a restoration process you will be provided with information on the status of the restoration and the option to view a restore report. If there were any issues with the restore process you are presented with the option of restarting the restore process or going back to the beginning of the restore process.

1.4.3   Restore Report                                                                       

The restore report allows you to view a list of the files that have been restored on their default web browser.

1.5    Support

You can now access a variety of support materials through the client by using the Support tab. These are FAQ’s and Support and Video Tutorials. By clicking on either of these you will be redirected to an external site that either connects to the support section on the Livedrive client or to a playlist section on YouTube with how to videos.

 

1.6    Web

The client now has a built-in direct link to your cloud page. If you click on Web, this will direct you to your relevant cloud page on the Livedrive website. You can also access this via the Livedrive icon in the menu bar.