Please recommend backup 'sync' software

mikeyw

mikeyw

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Hi,

I'm trying to get organised this year and want to take the thought out of my backups.

I've two disks in my PC and simply want to sync the contents on my photos folder automatically, so when i add / delete photos on he master disk the backup disk does the same.

could you advise a good freeware program to do this ?

If the could sync to an external drive periodically as well that would be even better.

Thanks in advance,
Mike.
 
I use Sync Toy. Which was recommended to me by someone on here. It's very simple and does the job.
You select the folder you want to copy/back up/replace and then the destination (external hdd or other hdd) Once you've set it up, all you have to do is open the program and click 'Run' whenever you wish to back up :)
 
Further to Bens comment, I expect you could set up a scheduled task in windows to run every 'x' days if you wanted. Depends if your PC is powered up all the time or not though. If its powered off when the next run is due I dont think it'll 'catch up' when you next power up.
 
Thanks - is there anyway sync tool can be automated itself ?

Remembering to run the app is much the same as remembering to copy new files between disks.

Ideally something that sits in the background and syncs all the time would be perfect.
 
Yup use task scheduler.
Once you've created your sync task and named it in SyncToy...

Create a basic task, add all the time parameters you want etc
For the Action select start a program and use: “C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe” with Argument -R "your sync name"

Easy
 
Guys - someone has recommended allwayssync....anyone used this ?
 
Carbonite, then if your house burns down/your PC gets stolen, you still have your backups.

PM me if you feel the need to try it.
 
mikeyw said:
Guys - someone has recommended allwayssync....anyone used this ?
Click to expand...

I use Allwaysync.
A doddle to set up and use.
Works with external drives.
So easy I even use it on the work computers as well.

I have also tried Synctoy, but found it kept crashing.
 
synctoy takes 5 minutes to set up and a scheduled task is easy. Just google it plenty of guides online. Microsoft liked it so much they bought the company
 
neil_g said:
used to use allway sync, its only free if you do small amounts of transferring. it is very good though.
Click to expand...

Thanks - i'll probably trial it and see if i can get by with the restrictions of the free version
 
john-oh said:
Carbonite, then if your house burns down/your PC gets stolen, you still have your backups.

PM me if you feel the need to try it.
Click to expand...
just started with Carbonite initial backup is taking ages but its a lot of piece of mind:)
 
I use a program called Karen's replicator. You can choose the relevant destination folder and there are options on there that allow you to schedule a backup. It does sync over what has already been backed so you are not making more than one backup!
It's free and a small download.

linky here, http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

cheers
Kev
 
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Went for always sync and does everything i need perfectly - thanks everyone :)
 
there can be a problem with synctoy and removable drives in windows 7,

I have found sometimes that windoze mounts the drive with a different letter than when I created the sync toy backup, so it doesn't work correctly.

If you are pc savvy then you can get around this by remapping the driver letter .

Just a thought for synctoy users.

I use synctoy loads, works a treat.

( mind you, never tried to recover any data yet - nothing worse that "write only" backups :naughty: )
 
Trivial to just right click on a drive and tell it to use this drive letter all the time (which i do).

My main photo external drive is always P on laptop and desktop etc. Makes things far easier.

Ive used it in all modes for years and it works perfectly, far better than any non MS 3rd party apps i tried.
 
kevaylett said:
I use a program called Karen's replicator. You can choose the relevant destination folder and there are options on there that allow you to schedule a backup. It does sync over what has already been backed so you are not making more than one backup!
It's free and a small download.

linky here, http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

cheers
Kev
Click to expand...



It's what I use - it back up from my D drive (2TB hard drive) to my E drive (another 2TB hard drive) each evening. The fist one took quite a while but after that it's about 10 minutes as it checks what has changed.

There are all kinds of different settings that can be made to it - eg different times on different days, what to copy, whether to delete something or not.

Small, powerful and free.
 
vizzair said:
there can be a problem with synctoy and removable drives in windows 7,

I have found sometimes that windoze mounts the drive with a different letter than when I created the sync toy backup, so it doesn't work correctly.

If you are pc savvy then you can get around this by remapping the driver letter .

Just a thought for synctoy users.

I use synctoy loads, works a treat.

( mind you, never tried to recover any data yet - nothing worse that "write only" backups :naughty: )
Click to expand...

Can you explain how you remap?
 
If its windows 7 this is the easiest:

- Hit start button on keyboard or with mouse
- Type "compu" ... Basically the section is called "computer management" so as you start to type it windows will find it.

- Once its loaded go down to Storage > Disk management
- RIGHT click on the drive in the centre pane bottom you wish to remap
- Select "Change drive letters and paths" from the popup men
- OK and close

Done - the drive will now always come on with that letter.
 
take a look at crashplan.
can do offsite and onsite.
even offsite at a friends location
 
LCPete said:
just started with Carbonite initial backup is taking ages but its a lot of piece of mind:)
Click to expand...

Carbonite is great until your backup reaches 200GB.

Then they turn down the upload speed and it becomes worse than useless. Despite the fact that I left my pc on 24/7 I was still producing new mages faster than they were being backed up. So you think your stuff is backing up but actually it is still in the queue.

Unlimited back-up my **** !
 
gnirtS said:
Trivial to just right click on a drive and tell it to use this drive letter all the time (which i do).
Click to expand...

Where do you do this?

I've had this problem several times when adding or removing drives. It confuses matters no end in Lightroom.

Edit: I see you explain this above. Thanks!
 
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Raymond Lin said:
Any apps the same for Mac?
Click to expand...

Probably best starting a new thread, but I like CCCloner for Mac. I have never found a reliable 2 way sync client that I get on with though.
 
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