Smart Turn Off: FAQ - SMARTTURNOFF.COM

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Is it possible to use different settings for different users on one computer?
2. What is the sense of backup? (If Windows failed I can reinstall it and restore all data I have lost!)
3. How to turn off PC by one click of icon-button?
4. Why Backup process does not executes?
5. How to assign a folder for backup?
6. Why it is impossible to assign a file for backup?
7. What the program "cleans up" on PC and what for?
8. How to make so for the program not to ask whether to save active documents before turn off and how to make shutdown process quicker than Windows does?
9. What is "Exit" work mode for?
10. My program is set for storing backups on USB flash-drive and sometimes I forget to bring it with me. When I turn off my PC the program demands to plug it in. How to get rid of the notice "Connect BackUp Drive!"?
11. The folder "My documents" is too big and there isn't enough space on the disk I want to copy it to. What I should do?
12. The first backup process after instillation took several minutes and all other only several seconds. Why it is so?
13. Why the program does not support ZIP-folders?
14. When I turn off or log off the program some times ask "Would you like to save your documents (files)?" but there is no active or not saved documents? Why it happens?
15. What is the purpose of switcher "Copies/All copies"?
16. Why the program asks to assign the name (volume label) of the removable drive where I'm going to store my data backup?
17. How to configure program for automatic network backup?
18. How to create several icons on the desktop for launching the program with different parameters? (For example one for turn off and the other for finishing user session/log off)

1. Is it possible to use different settings for different users on one computer?

It is possible and desirable! Each user is an individual and the program can be adjusted individually for each user i.e. it has different settings for cleaning, for backup process and so on.
Note: For the other users to use the program you just need to find the program's icon (Program Files/Smart Turn Off/SmartTurnOff.exe) and run it. Installation of the program for new user is unnecessary. To create program launch icons you should open "Program Settings" (slim button with arrows on the left-hand side or F5) and assign "Icons" and "Actions" program will execute if you use this icon.

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2. What is the sense of backup? (If Windows failed I can reinstall it and restore all data I have lost!)

Unfortunately it is true partially only. Windows may collapse due to many reasons and the worst of all is the HDD failure or computer viruses (more about our data backup concept ). If your system failed due to this your data should be damaged also. For restoration of your data you can spend from 300USD (this information is taken from the sites of companies how deal with such problems) up to 10000USD (our hidden Ginness record :-)) and you don't get ANY guaranties that they'll restore all your data you asked them to restore. Two HDDs almost never collapse at one time. If you have your data on one HDD and a backup of this data on the another one (it is better and convenient if it is a removable drive) the possibility to loose your data forever close to zero. It is only a question of time and effort you'll spend on restoration of the data, verification of integrity and importance of the data. Even restoration of the data (from different scattered sources) with your own forces is a hard task. You have to recollect what and where was stored and where it should go. And what if I would substitute new version of my project or document with the old one and all my recent work (for days, weeks, months) would vanish?!!

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3. How to turn off PC by one click of icon-button?

Open "Program Settings" (slim button with arrows on the left-hand side or F5) and assign for the icon ("desktop" or "quick launch") "Turn Off" action and press "OK" button. Now if "Smart Turn Off" in not launched the click on the programmed icon will turn off (shutdown) your PC.

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4. Why Backup process does not executes?

The program does not executes backup process in three cases:
- folders are not assigned for the backup i.e. the program doesn't know what to copy
- folder where backups will be stored is not assigned i.e. the program doesn't know where to copy to
- the disk with your data backup folders is plugged off for some reason and in the "Program Settings" tick is set to "Ignore backup". For example it is removable drive or Flash-drive.
You should check all settings mentioned above and there won't be any problems!

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5. How to assign folder for backup?

There are 4 methods: The first and the second one is Drag&Drop

- to "drag" folder from Windows Explorer and "drop" it on the Smart Turn Off icon. In this case the program will inform you: "Assigned for backup (folder name)"

- to "drag" folder from Windows Explorer and "drop" it on the opened Smart Turn Off window. In that case the program will show you the list of folders assigned for backup including that one you have assigned

- to copy the folder and then click right mouse button over the application icon and "paste" it

- open "BackUp Settings, quick data access", (it's the bottom button with arrows or F6) use menu "Include" in the left frame of the form or use the corresponding button on toolbar

The most desirable and correct way is the last one because the program automatically estimates if there is enough room on the receiving disk for all information assigned for backup.

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6. Why it is impossible to assign a file for backup?

You are right it is impossible. The program is designed so for it to assign only folders for backup. This limitation is made on purpose to easy navigation, data search and to improve program execution speed and based on numerous interrogations of potential and real program users. And what is more there is no point in using special program to make a copy of ONE file.
There is one more key point. The program does "differential" backup i.e. only changed data can be renovated (by the way, don't forget that all copies of the file will be deleted with the originals if in "Program Settings" a tick "Delete copies of deleted files" is set). It is probably that some users would like or does full copy of all their data maybe once a month and write them down on CD discs. Though it is believed to be the most reliable way to make data backup people rarely do it cause you need time for it and a spare CD disc. The program simplifies this process as it groups data in one folder so you have to send only one folder to your CD-recorder to burn it down on CD. Now you have all important data from all your computers on one CD or DVD (if the size allows of course).

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7. What the program "cleans up" on PC and what for?

The program deletes potentially dangerous information on your PC ( more about dangers ) , and only that info that was marked by you in the "CleanUp Settings" (slim button on the right-hand side or F7).

Now it's your time to choose what to clean on your PC! More frequently people ask how to hide computer traces (from parents, bosses, work rivals, etc.). Our answer is: :
- if you like visiting "bawdy places" in the Internet set ticks № 3,4,5,6,10
- if you are looking for a job in the Internet ─ ticks 5,6,10; if your boss is Guru in computers better to tick 3 and 4 also o
- if you type and send resumes with your work PC ─ 7,8,10
- if your are anxious about the purity and high performance speed of your PC ─ 1,2,3,10
- extremely secretive people have to tick all from 1 to 10.

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8. How to make so for the program not to ask whether to save active documents before turn off and how to make shutdown process quicker than Windows does?

There are two ways:
- if before the turn off the program ask you "Would you like to save your documents (files)?" ─ set a tick on "Don't show message again" and press "No" button;
- open "Program Settings" (slim button with arrows on the left-hand side or F5), set a tick on "Ignore Saving" and press "OK" button.

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9. What is "Exit" work mode for?

For your convenience. For example you work on a project and want to make global changes in it. Someone decided to make "step back" in the changes i.e. to make a copy of project file(s) before the changes. It is easier to press one button in the program than to browse Windows Explorer making "new folder", "copy" and "paste". If your changes in the project were not successful the restoration of the project files will be done as a piece of cake (just "restore").

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10. My program is set for storing backups on USB flash-drive and sometimes I forget to bring it with me. When I turn off my PC the program demands to connect it. How to get rid of the notice "Connect BackUp Drive!"?

There are two ways:
- if the program ask you "Connect BackUp Drive!" ─ set a tick on "Don't show message again" and press "Cancel" button
- open "Program Settings" (slim button with arrows on the left-hand side or F5), set a tick "Ignore Backup" on and press "OK" button.
Note! After changing settings you won't see "Connect BackUp Drive!" message, but the backup process won't be executing either if you flash-drive won't be plugged in.

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11. The folder "My documents" is too big and there isn't enough space on the disk I want to copy it to. What I should do?

You have to choose yourself what data is more important to you. Maybe it would be wise to exclude the folder "My documents" from the backup list and choose several subfolders in the folder "My documents" and try not to choose "My video" or "My music" folders because their size is much bigger than of "My works", "My essays" or "My projects".

12. The first backup process after installation took several minutes and all other only several seconds. Why it is so?

The program copies from folders assigned for backup only changed and newly created files. During the first backup the program copied all data and then only changed documents (files). That's why the time was different. If you delete all data from the receiving disk the backup process will take the same time as it took for the first time.

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13. Why the program does not support/work with ZIP-folders?

Firstly, if we were using such folders the price of the program would be much higher. Secondly, ZIP-folder is an ordinary file presented for the user in a more common view and that means that if any change had happened to this file the program have to do it's backup. Suppose the size of this file is 500Mb and when you change only some small document (the backup process for which would've taken a few seconds) you will be waiting for several minutes for the whole file to be copied. If you need more examples try to copy 500Mb to your flash-drive.

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14. When I turn off or log off the program some times ask "Would you like to save your documents (files)?" but there is no active or not saved documents? Why it happens?

That means that you opened some applications that don't demand saving changes. Correct application shutdown needs a time it depends on the type of the application, how much time it was running and your computer speed. The program is configured for average performance. In any case there's nothing to worry about as the correct closing of running applications will proceed the program will automatically close the message "Would you like to save your documents (files)?" and then smoothly but persistently turn off PC or finish user session.

15. What is the purpose of switcher "Copies/All copies"?

The mode "Copies" ─ is a list of folders assigned for backup on that computer where the program is installed. The mode "All copies" ─ is a list of folders assigned for backup on all user's computers where user makes data backups. In other words it is the whole content of backup folder. Data recovery after OS failure executes exactly in the "All copies" mode.

Note: The folder for storing backup data must be a common one. It is not only logical but also convenient. If all data is stored in one place it is easier to search information after OS failure and easier to write it down to CD from time to time. Let's imagine such situation: someone is working with the same data at home and at work. Usually the size of common data (the data you need to work with at both computers) is not big if it is a folder with a project or some file. This folder (imagine it is stored on your work PC) must be the exact copy of the analogous folder on your home PC for you to be able to work at home as well as at the office. On your work PC it is included in the list for backup and before the shutdown the program makes its backup on the removable drive which the user can take home to work there. On the home PC the user doesn't have such folder. He switches the program to "All copies" mode, finds the folder he needs in the list, orders the program "Restore ... Open" and now he can start working with his project right away. What had happened is following: The needed folder was copied to the HDD and assigned for backup on the home PC. Its local copy is opened for the user to work with it. The link to this folder moved to the top of the list in the "History (copies)" journal.
Then it is more simple. You work with your project then you save it and shutdown your PC with the help of "Smart Turn Off". All changes in the project are saved to the removable drive where you store your backups. At work you run the program (better in the "Explore" mode), double click the top link in the "History (copies)" journal and you continue working with your project at your work PC. And so on. What is important is to use "Smart Turn Off" as for data restoration as well as for turn off of both PCs.

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16. Why the program asks to assign the name (volume label) of the removable drive where I'm going to store my data backup?

Removable drive, USB-drive, flash-drive are detected by OS after they are attached to PC. The system automatically assign to such drive the first not occupied letter of the alphabet (A,B,C,D,...). Usually the drive gets the same letter all the time. Usually but not always.
Now imagine that for the backup storage some drive is assigned but the copying will be done to some other drive for example not your flash-drive but the flash-drive of your friend after he plugged it into your PC to copy some photos. Another thing is that on different PCs it is likely that different letter would be assigned to the same removable drive. If you are going to work on two computers (at home and at work for instance) with the same data then the volume label is badly needed. Otherwise the program will be asking you every time "Where you want to copy your data?"

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17. How to configure program for automatic network backup?

The program allows copying to any drive attached to your PC and which you can see in "My computer". To attach a network drive open "Network" folder and find a PC you need. Choose any shared folder on this PC, click right mouse button over this folder and choose "Connect network drive". Assign a letter for this folder and press "OK". Now the program can see this new drive and you can assign any of its subfolders as a folder for backup storing in the "Program Settings" (slim button with arrows on the left-hand side or F5).

NOTE! The user who runs the program should have read and write rights to the attached network drive for correct program work. .

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18. How to create several icons on the desktop for launching the program with different parameters? (For example one for PC shutdown and the other for user log off)

If there is no program's icon on the desktop open the program in general mode. In "Program Settings" (F5) set a tick to "using icon on the desktop" and assign for it "Turn Off" action. Press "OK" to save changes. Make a copy of the icon that appeared for example the second copy on your desktop. Now set for the first icon some different action for example "Log Off". Press "OK" to save changes. Now you have two icons on your desktop but you can adjust parameters only of that icon which has the original name "Smart Turn Off" (you are right! the first one :-)).

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