Backup utility to mirror folders/files?
Mirror files and folders to another drive...
Sunday, May 25, 2008 by Bebi Bulma | Discussion: Personal Computing
One very important word in computing: backup. Needless to say I've been pretty slacking with backups, and I'm looking for a way to make it easier.
This is what I'd like to do: create mirrors of a few folders onto another drive, and when I add new files/subfolders to these folders, the utility will automatically copy them into the respective location on the other drive.
Example:
I download more pictures from my camera to my pictures/random, the utility will then automatically copy those pics to the same mirrored location on another drive. Or, I get a new icon set in steph/icons/newset, it would add that folder to the steph/icons/ folder on the separate drive.
I was looking at KeepSafe, but from what I could make of it, it only backs up documents that get altered and saved, and looks like it backs them up all to the same location.
Is what I'm after do-able?
This is what I'd like to do: create mirrors of a few folders onto another drive, and when I add new files/subfolders to these folders, the utility will automatically copy them into the respective location on the other drive.
Example:
I download more pictures from my camera to my pictures/random, the utility will then automatically copy those pics to the same mirrored location on another drive. Or, I get a new icon set in steph/icons/newset, it would add that folder to the steph/icons/ folder on the separate drive.
I was looking at KeepSafe, but from what I could make of it, it only backs up documents that get altered and saved, and looks like it backs them up all to the same location.
Is what I'm after do-able?
Bebi Bulma
Reply #2 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:17 PM
Reply #2 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:17 PM
Great, that MirrorFolder one looks just about perfect. Comes with a fully functional 30day trial as well. Now all I need is an external drive to mirror to. 
CarGuy1
Reply #3 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:26 PM
Reply #3 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:26 PM
Mirroring is ok but remember, if you have real time mirroring on and you do something to screw up your system, your mirror will be screwed up also.
I find it better to use a backup utility and do a complete back up weekly. That way if I make changes, I have a few days for problems to show up. I can then restore my known good backup.
If you have Vista Ultimate, you all ready have a full backup utility that you can configure to back up your system automatically.
I find it better to use a backup utility and do a complete back up weekly. That way if I make changes, I have a few days for problems to show up. I can then restore my known good backup.
If you have Vista Ultimate, you all ready have a full backup utility that you can configure to back up your system automatically.
Jafo
Reply #4 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:57 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:57 PM
I use Syncback for that....9am every day Office files, Litestep themes, Winamp skins, MP3s, GTR racetracks/files are backed up to a separate phys harddrive.....no input from me.
If for any reason a sync fails a log is generated, showing up in IE describing what and why. [eg a virus won't be copied/backed as it's scanned first]...
Bebi Bulma
Reply #5 Sunday, May 25, 2008 10:17 PM
Yeah I wouldn't have the real-time mirroring on, would just schedule it to synchronize/backup at a certain time. (I have XP Pro)
Syncback looks nice, and it's freeware too. Does it allow to choose multiple directories and such and different destinations for each source?
I'm not too worried about "ah crap, saved this file and shouldn't have" but more about having a backup and having a utility to automatically copy over new/updated files without me having to do it manually.
Reply #5 Sunday, May 25, 2008 10:17 PM
Mirroring is ok but remember, if you have real time mirroring on and you do something to screw up your system, your mirror will be screwed up also.
Yeah I wouldn't have the real-time mirroring on, would just schedule it to synchronize/backup at a certain time. (I have XP Pro)
Syncback looks nice, and it's freeware too. Does it allow to choose multiple directories and such and different destinations for each source?
I'm not too worried about "ah crap, saved this file and shouldn't have" but more about having a backup and having a utility to automatically copy over new/updated files without me having to do it manually.
Jafo
Reply #6 Sunday, May 25, 2008 10:42 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, May 25, 2008 10:42 PM
Syncback looks nice, and it's freeware too. Does it allow to choose multiple directories and such and different destinations for each source?
Yes...
Bebi Bulma
Reply #7 Sunday, May 25, 2008 11:14 PM
Reply #7 Sunday, May 25, 2008 11:14 PM
Was checking it out in more detail, SyncbackSE looks pretty good, $30 for generous licensing is quite reasonable too. And since Jafo recommends it, it must be good. 
SirSmiley
Reply #8 Sunday, May 25, 2008 11:53 PM
Reply #8 Sunday, May 25, 2008 11:53 PM
Looks like Bebi owes Jafo one trip to Tropical Fruit World! 
zakai1369
Reply #9 Monday, May 26, 2008 12:44 AM
Reply #9 Monday, May 26, 2008 12:44 AM
Ah. Thanks Bebi I was going to make a thread asking about this the other day and never got around to it. I'll have to check out Syncback in the morning .
I'll have to check out Syncback in the morning .
starkers
Reply #10 Monday, May 26, 2008 12:50 AM
Reply #10 Monday, May 26, 2008 12:50 AM
Cobian Backup is good for copying/mirroring just newly added files to any folder/directory ... is highly configurable and can be scheduled to do weekly, daily backups, even in hourly increments if so desired. Once the initial backup of a folder/directory is completed, Cobian Backup can then mirror just recent additions... meaning it doesn't take forever and a day to complete each time. I've been using it for about 4 years now and find it easy to use as well as efficient... what's more, it is freeware.
To find out more see WWW Link
To find out more see WWW Link
tigerlady
Reply #11 Monday, May 26, 2008 1:20 AM
Reply #11 Monday, May 26, 2008 1:20 AM
I use Second Copy. Worth every penny. I also use ShadowProtect to mirror my main drive AND Carbonite to back-up my stuff online. If I sound paranoid it's because I've had too many hard drives fail.
Daiwa
Reply #12 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:20 AM
Reply #12 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:20 AM
I use SyncBack's free version and it is easily configurable, automatic, works like a charm and is very fast following the first backup run (copies only new or changed files). I have 3 computers that get backed up using SyncBack nightly. I back up to an external HD, but I've been thinking about trying Carbonite, too, to cover the remote possibility of some home disaster like a fire.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #13 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:31 AM
Me too. I was so impressed I bought the SE version. That backs up files in use and has loads of scheduling options etc.
A full list of features: SyncBack comparison
Reply #13 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:31 AM
I use Syncback for that....
Me too. I was so impressed I bought the SE version. That backs up files in use and has loads of scheduling options etc.
A full list of features: SyncBack comparison
Daiwa
Reply #14 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:43 AM
Reply #14 Monday, May 26, 2008 11:43 AM
Thanks, Fuzz -
I'd forgotten that even the free version let's you back up to FTP.
I'd forgotten that even the free version let's you back up to FTP.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #15 Monday, May 26, 2008 6:48 PM
Reply #15 Monday, May 26, 2008 6:48 PM
Well, once I get the external I'll definitely be trying SyncbackSE, will likely buy it as well.
Lantec
Reply #17 Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:42 AM
The one I use as well. Daily incrementals and a full backup each Thursday.
Can run as a program OR a service. FTP, backups with or without compression and will filter compression allowing you to exclude certain filetypes (7zip) Automatic system shutdown upon completion, MUCH MUCH more.
Reply #17 Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:42 AM
Cobian Backup is good for copying/mirroring just newly added files to any folder/directory
The one I use as well. Daily incrementals and a full backup each Thursday.
Can run as a program OR a service. FTP, backups with or without compression and will filter compression allowing you to exclude certain filetypes (7zip) Automatic system shutdown upon completion, MUCH MUCH more.
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Reply #1 Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:59 PM
I haven't tried any of them; I use Acronis True Image. It can do scheduled images of whole drives or just specified folders. It won't monitor a folder and detect when files are added though.