Now for another question - sync or backup files and methods
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by LizMarr | Discussion: Personal Computing
In the great debate on registry cleaners (a *must* read if you haven't already) it was overheard that it is more reliable to back-up one's system then use a restore point. (for more reasons than crappy register cleaners)
What do you use? Sync or Back-up or both? and which program(s) do you use to do it?
I use an ancient copy of SyncToy. I don't want to sync or back up ALL my files, I like the ability to back up only those that are not there from last time. There are some problems like if I move files on the back-up drives, then I have to manually find/move/remove the duplicates after the sync is done. If the files no longer exist on my laptop then there is no problem. I'm a photographer and web designer by hobby (that means I don't make enough money to call income) so I have lot's of files to save, er, backup. I'm just this year finally learning that with photos, the delete key is my friend. 
(why isn't there a waving smilie? just pretend)
Reply #2 Tuesday, January 10, 2012 9:51 PM
Another vote for SyncBack (I have the pay version though).
Reply #6 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 5:28 AM
No syncs. I hate automated software....
Backup? All manual!
Reply #7 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 8:56 AM
I don't trust any backup facility that operates while the OS is live.
The only thing I trust is my old copy of Norton Ghost I think version 10 was the last version that you could install on a floppy. You then boot the floppy with a version of DOS and run the ghost software while the boot drive is totally inert.
I then take an image of the entire boot drive and then if I ever want to go back to the identical drive I can restore the image drive and I will have the identical software that I had the instant I took the disk image.
There is nothing that operates while the OS is alive that can make the same claim. There are always extra tracks left in the registry and there are always a minimal set of files that are "locked" by the OS and therefore inaccessible for backup.
It's the only method of backup that I trust and I use it before I install any new piece of software because uninstall never truly works and if there's an undesirable side effect of the install the only way to truly get rid of all traces of the install is to go back to the disk image.
Reply #8 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:04 AM
DriveImage 7 was the first that could/can....quite a few years ago, now.
Acronis True Image 2009 currently does it correctly [for me].
So "nothing" is incorrect .... 
Reply #9 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:17 AM
I don't use any kind of sync, Just two back up utilities. One that came with my Western Digital ext HD, automatic and easeUS back up. Works for me.
Reply #10 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:20 AM
Anyone use Windows Live Mesh or Skydrive? Does the former store anything in the cloud, or does it only sync?
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Reply #1 Tuesday, January 10, 2012 9:44 PM
I use SyncBack Free. Simple, easy, reliable, runs every night.
I'm thinking of adding Acronis, though. Adding.