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Importing Backups from a Local Backup Device

 

Importing Backups from a Local Backup Device

Overview

If you need to move your backups to a new computer or restore a NovaBACKUP installation, you can import all backup records from a Local Backup device in one operation. This guide covers the process and what you need to know to do it successfully.

What this covers:

  • Importing backups stored on local drives or network paths
  • Setting up your new device with the correct configuration
  • Handling encrypted backups
  • Troubleshooting network path imports

What this doesn't cover:

  • Cloud Backup devices (see separate KB article for Cloud Backup imports)

Before You Start

Check Your NovaBACKUP Version

Make sure the NovaBACKUP client on your new computer is the same version or newer than the version that created the backups:

  • If backups were created in version 20.1.x: Use 20.1.x or newer
  • If backups were created in version 21.0.x: Use 21.0.x, 21.1.1219, or newer
  • If backups were created in version 21.1.1219 or newer: Use that exact version or newer

Mismatched versions may cause the import to fail or only partially import your backups.

System Requirements

  • A compatible NovaBACKUP client installed on the target computer
  • Access to the location where your backups are stored (local drive or network path)
  • If using network storage: valid credentials to access that path

Important Limitations

  • Only English ASCII characters are supported in file paths and device names
  • Encryption passwords cannot be recovered if you lose them

Step 1: Gather Your Original Device Information

Before creating a new device on your target computer, you'll need to know these details from your original Local Backup device:

  • Device Name: The name you gave the device (must match exactly, including capitalization)
  • Folder or Network Path: Where the backups are stored (local path like E:\ or network path like \\server\backups)
  • Network Credentials (if using a network path): Domain, username, and password
  • Encryption Password (if you used one): The encryption key you set on the original device

If you don't remember the encryption password, you'll need to keep the dialog open during import to enter it when prompted, but you cannot recover a lost password.

Step 2: Create a New Local Backup Device

On your target computer, follow these steps to create a new device that matches your original:

In the Device Tab:

  1. Open NovaBACKUP and go to the Device tab
  2. Click Add
  3. Select Local Backup from the device type options

In the Local Backup Configuration:

The dialog that opens has several tabs. Fill in the following:

Local Backup Tab (Required)

  • Device Name: Enter the exact name from your original device (case-sensitive). Use a naming scheme that's easy to remember, like "Local Backup E:" if it connects as the E: drive.
  • Folder or Network Path: Enter the exact path where your backups are stored (case-sensitive). This can be:
    • A local drive path (example: E:\)
    • A network path (example: \\server\backups)

Note: Use the browse button (...) next to the path field if you want to select from already-mapped network drives.

Network Credentials Tab (Only if using a network path)

  • Domain Name: Optional, but fill it in if your original device used one
  • Username: The user account that can access the network path
  • Password: The password for that user account
  • Click Check Credentials to verify these work before saving

Encryption Tab (Only if you used encryption)

  • Secret Encryption Key: Enter the encryption password from your original device (10-30 characters)
  • Make sure this matches exactly—passwords won't display as you type

Important Notes:

  • The Device Name and Folder/Network Path fields cannot be changed later. If you need to change them, you must delete and recreate the device.
  • Network Credentials and Encryption settings can be edited later if needed.
  • Once you click OK, NovaBACKUP will verify that the path and credentials are valid before saving.

Step 3: Import Your Backups

After your device is created:

  1. Go to the Restore tab
  2. In the Media View on the left, expand Local Storage
  3. You should see your Local Backup device listed
  4. Select the device and click Import... button

A "Select Device" dialog will appear. The device should automatically be selected. Click OK to begin the import.

Import Progress:

  • You'll be redirected to the Status tab, which shows the import progress
  • When complete, check the Logs tab to verify it was successful
  • Any errors will be logged here as well

Step 4: Verify and Restore

Once import is complete:

  1. Go to the Restore tab
  2. Expand Local Storage and then your device name
  3. You should see all your media sets listed with their file structure
  4. Select the files you need to restore

If you don't see any backups after import, see the Troubleshooting section below.

When Your Computer Name or Domain Has Changed

If you're importing backups to a computer with a different name or domain than the original:

  1. Create your Local Backup device as described above
  2. In the device's Optional Settings tab, enter the original computer's information:
    • Domain: Enter in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
    • Computer: Enter in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

Both fields must be specified in capital letters for the import to work.

Troubleshooting

No Backups Appear After Import

Check the following in order:

  1. Device Name mismatch: The Device Name must match exactly (including capitalization). If it doesn't match, delete the device and recreate it with the correct name.
  2. Path mismatch: The Folder or Network Path must match exactly (including capitalization). If the backups still don't show up, delete and recreate the device with the correct path.
  3. Encrypted backups not imported: If the original device used encryption but you didn't enter the encryption password in the Encryption tab, encrypted backups won't import. Add the password and run import again:
    • Edit the device by selecting it in the Device tab and clicking to edit
    • Go to the Encryption tab
    • Enter the encryption password
    • Click OK
    • Run the import again
  4. Domain/Computer name mismatch: If backups still don't appear and you're importing to a computer with a different name or domain, go to the device's Optional Settings tab and enter the original computer's domain and computer name in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
  5. Partial import: If some backups imported but not all, you may have multiple encryption passwords. The import process will prompt you for each password it encounters. Keep the dialog open and enter each one as prompted.

"Invalid Device Was Specified" Error (Network Paths Only)

If you're importing from a network path and get this error:

  1. Open the NovaBACKUP client
  2. Go to Default Settings
  3. Click the Run As tab
  4. Select Run As Specified User
  5. Enter a username and password for an account that:
    • Has Administrator rights on the local computer
    • Has Domain Admin rights if on a domain
    • Has Full Control permissions to the folder: C:\ProgramData\NovaStor\NovaStor NovaBACKUP\FPI\
    • Can access the network backup location
  6. Make sure the SYSTEM user and local Administrators group also have Full Control on that FPI folder
  7. Click OK and close NovaBACKUP completely
  8. Reopen NovaBACKUP and try the import again

Device Won't Save

If you get an error when trying to save the device:

  • For local paths: Make sure the path exists and is accessible
  • For network paths: Verify the network credentials are correct, then click "Check Credentials" to confirm

Tips and Best Practices

  • Name your devices clearly: Use descriptive names like "Backup E: External Drive" or "Backup Network Share"
  • Document your encryption passwords: Write down any encryption passwords and store them securely
  • Test network connectivity: Before importing from a network path, make sure you can manually access the path with the credentials you're using
  • Keep your backups safe: Store backup devices in a secure location, especially if they contain sensitive data

Common Questions

Q: Can I change the Device Name or Path after creating it? A: No. If you need to change either of these, you must delete the device and recreate it.

Q: What if I forgot the encryption password? A: During import, you'll be prompted to enter it. If you don't remember it, encrypted backups won't import. Non-encrypted backups will still import. There's no way to recover a lost password.

Q: Can I import backups from multiple sources to the same device? A: No. Each device represents a single backup location. If you have backups on multiple drives or network locations, create a separate Local Backup device for each one.

Q: Do I need to keep the original backup device connected during import? A: Yes, the device must be accessible (either locally connected or the network path must be reachable) during the entire import process.

Q: Can I import only certain backups, not all of them? A: No. The import function imports all backups from the selected device at once. After import, you can choose which files to restore.