Does anyone know or use a backup program that will back up my files to 2 external hard drives automatically then only update back up files with newly saved files?
I'm getting tired of clicking and dragging folders and I want to take the manual work out of backing up files. I want the computer to do it for me each time I save a file.
I ran across mention recently of an open source backup program that sounded good and saves the backup as ZIP files, so you don't need anything special to get into them. I will see if I can find it. I am sure I saw the mention of it on either Lifehacker or MaximumPC
My dad had a program a while back that saved all his files to an external drive almost like a cloned drive and once it recognized that all the same files existed then it would only update the most recent saved files so that way it wasn't cloning the entire drive again, only those files. I'm looking for a program like that but all y search results are turning up everything I don't want.
Well, was there something that you wanted me to look at?
I think the one that Prof. Fate mentioned, Cobian Backup, may have been the one I was looking for. It appears to save in ZIP compatible files and is open source.
So, you just want a straight copy? I think most backup software saves in some archive file type. At least one that uses Zips means you can open it on any computer without proprietary software.
Basically you need rsync - that's a Linux/Unix program.
Googling for rsync and Windows, I came across //www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp which seems to make rsync usable with Windows. I use rsync extensively myself, but I have no clue about the DeltaCopy.
As an I/T admin, we use scripting alot, robocopy, xxcopy and xcopy, but recently i downloaded one that is fairly user simple, ysync its free, simple to use, read through the instructions. I have my photography folders backup 3 times a week but I have alot of space then i review the logs and delete as needed but you can custimize it as you need
If you looking for something simple with a bit of growing room and is free - Have a look at Personal Backup. Not quite as full featured as others out there but the interface is pretty simple and deals with networks, local & external drives no issue (can also do ftp backups but you prob don't care based on your requirements). Can do zip archives, deltas and prob what you want a direct image file for file....
The first question should be, what OS are you running? I'll ass-u-me that you are running WinXP, Vista, or Win7. If one of those three, then look no further than Synctoy 2.0. It is a free "Power toy" from Microsoft, and it does exactly what you want it to do. It can be scheduled through the task scheduler built into XP, Vista and Win7. Once you run it the first time, subsequent backups are fast, because it only transfers what's changed.
I have run a program for years called MirrorFolder. You tell it which folders to watch for changes and where to save the data, then after that it runs quetly in the background maintaining mirrored copies of your folders in real time (both additions and deletions). Files are not encrypted, so recovery does not require MirrorFolder for access. It can also be set up to back-up on a scheduled basis if desired. Highly recommended.
The first question should be, what OS are you running? I'll ass-u-me that you are running WinXP, Vista, or Win7. If one of those three, then look no further than Synctoy 2.0. It is a free "Power toy" from Microsoft, and it does exactly what you want it to do. It can be scheduled through the task scheduler built into XP, Vista and Win7. Once you run it the first time, subsequent backups are fast, because it only transfers what's changed.
Seconded - Synctoy is a great little app and quite configurable.. and free!!
Seconded - Synctoy is a great little app and quite configurable.. and free!!
That was exactly what I was looking for, I know I said backup and it is but I was looking to sync the drives, thanks Mark. I downloaded it about 2 weeks ago and have been running it manually every 3-4 days (or so) and it's perfect.
