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Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: keithy397 on February 02, 2016, 04:39 AM
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Hi,
Can someone suggest a foolproof method of synching certain files on my Laptop and Desktop please. I haven't found anything that I'm totally comfortable with.
What I'd like: Once I've updated my new Desktop from my Laptop I'd like to sync certain files in both directions.
TIA
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Perhaps Bvckup 2 (https://www.bvckup2.com/), if what you need is simple sync over LAN.
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I haven't found anything that I'm totally comfortable with.
-keithy397
what have you tried / looked at ?
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I still like FreeFileSync (http://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/) with the caveat that it has an OpenCandy installer.
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Hi,
Perhaps Bvckup 2, if what you need is simple sync over LAN.-Jibz
I use Bvckup2 for my Laptop but haven't tried it over a LAN. In fact I haven't got a LAN set up so I'm doing so now..... Thing is, if I go away the LAN won't work and I'll lose any sync until I get back, I assume.
what have you tried / looked at ?-tomos
I tried Box, Dropbox and I have Onedrive and Gdrive but not sure how to get them to sync.
I still like FreeFileSync with the caveat that it has an OpenCandy installer.-x16wda
I used FreeFileSync many moons ago but again, I wouldn't know how to get it to sync my PC's.
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I use DropBox. I sync my Laptop, Desktop, and MS Surface. It works great
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I use DropBox. I sync my Laptop, Desktop, and MS Surface. It works great-c.gingerich
So it's possible to sync folders from one device to another both ways with Dropbox?
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I've been using Allway Sync (http://allwaysync.com/) for selective syncing of folders and files in various directions between Windows computers and it's been working fine for me. Does offer a degree of control for reviewing files manually that you may want to be careful about syncing.
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I've been using Allway Sync (http://allwaysync.com/) for selective syncing of folders and files in various directions between Windows computers and it's been working fine for me. Does offer a degree of control for reviewing files manually that you may want to be careful about syncing.
-dr_andus
is that in conjunction with dropbox or some other way?
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I use DropBox. I sync my Laptop, Desktop, and MS Surface. It works great-c.gingerich
So it's possible to sync folders from one device to another both ways with Dropbox?
-keithy397
Yes. Changes are synced to all linked machines
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I've been using Allway Sync (http://allwaysync.com/) for selective syncing of folders and files in various directions between Windows computers and it's been working fine for me. Does offer a degree of control for reviewing files manually that you may want to be careful about syncing.
-dr_andus
is that in conjunction with dropbox or some other way?
-tomos
It's more for one-off or occasional syncing (or backing up). Let's say you have a Windows netbook that you only occasionally take out for trips here and there. Then you can sync your selected folders or drives from the PC to the netbook over the local network, and then sync it back when you return from the trip, and put the netbook away. But if you are using both devices simultaneously all the time, then of course Dropbox would make more sense.
P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.
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What about Syncback Pro?
Very flexible - you can specify what replaces what (with optional prompts) and also if things are deleted if you delete one device.
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbpro.html
There is a freeware version with reduced features too - but it works well.
Only drawback is it isn't realtime - you can schedule though or run a sync manually.
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I use DropBox. I sync my Laptop, Desktop, and MS Surface. It works great-c.gingerich
So it's possible to sync folders from one device to another both ways with Dropbox?
-keithy397
Dropbox used to sync one folder (which you would nominate). I dont know if it's become more flexible (in that you can sync folders in various locations) --
anyone here know that?
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Thanks for all your input guys.
I've installed Dropbox and it works well. I sort of imagined I'd be syncing the actual files from one device to the other but as far as I can tell you upload to Dropbox and the files are accessible from the cloud (via a Dropbox folder in your PC) on all devices. I suppose it's safer that way but if I go away for a week or two I'll have to upload all the Laptop files to be able to change the original files on the other device(s) because I won't remember which files exactly have changed. Unless there's a way the Dropbox files on any device (copies of originals in cloud) will change when you change the originals?
Anyway, I'm still learning...... :Thmbsup:
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Unless there's a way the Dropbox files on any device (copies of originals in cloud) will change when you change the originals?
-keithy397
that's the idea of Dropbox: it updates all devices based on the most recent modified version of file.
AFAIK you can backup/sync up to 2GB with the free Dropbox.
It also keeps older versions of your files, for a certain length of time at any rate (click the dropbox tray icon -- you can open the web interface from there and explore a bit).
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Unless there's a way the Dropbox files on any device (copies of originals in cloud) will change when you change the originals?
-keithy397
that's the idea of Dropbox: it updates all devices based on the most recent modified version of file.
AFAIK you can backup/sync up to 2GB with the free Dropbox.
It also keeps older versions of your files, for a certain length of time at any rate (click the dropbox tray icon -- you can open the web interface from there and explore a bit).
-tomos
So, I can maybe understand dropbox being linked/updated from the source file, but how does the target folder on the other device update. Should I copy from the dropbox folder to the target folder? Would that make the connection?
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^ Have you installed dropbox on both machines?
I'm not 100% clear what you mean by 'target folder' -- as I said above Dropbox will sync the contents of the chosen 'dropbox' folder from one machine to another.
You'll have to install it, and log in on both machines
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^ Have you installed dropbox on both machines?
I'm not 100% clear what you mean by 'target folder' -- as I said above Dropbox will sync the contents of the chosen 'dropbox' folder from one machine to another.
You'll have to install it, and log in on both machines
-tomos
I have Dropbox installed on both PC and Laptop and I'm signed in on both.
As the PC is new I want to transfer a lot of files from my Laptop across and then keep them synced - so I select some files from their parent folder on my Laptop and then drop them into the Dropbox folder (which I've previously named). Now I know I can access these files from my PC (I saw them appear in the Dropbox folder on my PC) but I'd like them to be synced with a folder on the PC (target folder) but I'm not sure how to do that.
Or am I missing the point? Are you supposed to use the files in the Dropbox folder? Ideally I'd like to add or amend files in their parent folder (either on PC or Laptop) and they update in their parent folder on the other device???
Sorry for this confusion!! (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/esmileys/gen3/1Small/CONFUSED.GIF)
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^ Have you installed dropbox on both machines?
I'm not 100% clear what you mean by 'target folder' -- as I said above Dropbox will sync the contents of the chosen 'dropbox' folder from one machine to another.
You'll have to install it, and log in on both machines
-tomos
I have Dropbox installed on both PC and Laptop and I'm signed in on both.
As the PC is new I want to transfer a lot of files from my Laptop across and then keep them synced - so I select some files from their parent folder on my Laptop and then drop them into the Dropbox folder (which I've previously named). Now I know I can access these files from my PC (I saw them appear in the Dropbox folder on my PC) but I'd like them to be synced with a folder on the PC (target folder) but I'm not sure how to do that.
Or am I missing the point? Are you supposed to use the files in the Dropbox folder? Ideally I'd like to add or amend files in their parent folder (either on PC or Laptop) and they update in their parent folder on the other device???
Sorry for this confusion!! (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/esmileys/gen3/1Small/CONFUSED.GIF)
-keithy397
In general, for the use of cloud sync clients like Dropbox, OneDrive, and their ilk, it is assumed that you will use the files in place. Which is why I like Cubby. You can turn any folder into a cubby, and have it in place where ever it is on that machine. It does cost a bit more for a bit less space than the competitors. But I've found it the one that I use- even though I have 1TB on OneDrive.
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Ideally I'd like to add or amend files in their parent folder (either on PC or Laptop) and they update in their parent folder on the other device???
-keithy397
That's the kind of scenario I suggested Allway Sync for. You can choose which files and folders to sync, and in which direction. But it's a manual process, as opposed to the automatic sync with files and folders that are kept in Dropbox.
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That's the kind of scenario I suggested Allway Sync for. You can choose which files and folders to sync, and in which direction. But it's a manual process, as opposed to the automatic sync with files and folders that are kept in Dropbox.
-dr_andus
I did download Allwaysync from your link the other night, thanks btw. I don't mind manually synching so I'll give it a go tonight.
In general, for the use of cloud sync clients like Dropbox, OneDrive, and their ilk, it is assumed that you will use the files in place. Which is why I like Cubby. You can turn any folder into a cubby, and have it in place where ever it is on that machine. It does cost a bit more for a bit less space than the competitors. But I've found it the one that I use- even though I have 1TB on OneDrive.
-wraith808
As with Allwaysync, I'll give Cubby a run tonight too, thanks.
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P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.
-dr_andus
Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.
Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.
Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.
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P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.
-dr_andus
Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.
Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.
Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.
-dr_andus
At least this way then you're always in control. I don't like the idea of automatic updates of any kind - I always like to see what's being changed or installed etc.
Just one question, can you sync both ways?
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Just one question, can you sync both ways?
-keithy397
Yes, of course, that's the default behaviour. The most up-to-date versions of files get synced across both directions, unless you specifically exclude certain files or force a specific direction (less up-to-date file to overwrite more up-to-date file).
First press "Analyze", then review all the changed files, make your changes, then sync. There is a helpful section that picks up any unusual file changes that require special attention.
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Just one question, can you sync both ways?
-keithy397
Yes, of course, that's the default behaviour. The most up-to-date versions of files get synced across both directions, unless you specifically exclude certain files or force a specific direction (less up-to-date file to overwrite more up-to-date file).
First press "Analyze", then review all the changed files, make your changes, then sync. There is a helpful section that picks up any unusual file changes that require special attention.
-dr_andus
Cool! Thanks.
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P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.
-dr_andus
Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.
Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.
Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.
-dr_andus
a good argument for also having good local backup on each machine with multiple versions saved -- for that time when you just forget that you opened that database...
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From another thread:
For what it's worth, Dropbox fits my needs most of the time, but every time I use Mega (http://mega.nz) I become more and more impressed with it. It also has mobile apps (iOS/Android) and desktop clients for Windows, OSX, and Linux, as well as browser extensions. And the 50GB of storage is nice, too.
-Deozaan
another option, especially for lots of data. (No idea how or how well the sync works though.)
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From another thread:
For what it's worth, Dropbox fits my needs most of the time, but every time I use Mega (http://mega.nz) I become more and more impressed with it. It also has mobile apps (iOS/Android) and desktop clients for Windows, OSX, and Linux, as well as browser extensions. And the 50GB of storage is nice, too.
-Deozaan
another option, especially for lots of data. (No idea how or how well the sync works though.)
-tomos
Thanks Tom, I'll take a proper look later but the blurb I read (quickly) sounds good.
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My experience with Mega is limited only to Windows and Android clients. And the browser-based client.
The Android client works a lot like the Dropbox client for Android. It lets you navigate your files and folders and click on files to download them to your device. You can also upload from your device, or just get a link to share a file/folder with someone else. It has more features and options than that, but that covers probably 90+% of what you'd want to do with Mega on Android.
The Windows client runs quietly in the tray, automatically syncing as per your settings. You can set up multiple local directories to sync to your Mega account for a "selective sync" by linking your local directories to certain subdirectories in your Mega account. Or you can just link one local directory to the "root" of your Mega account for a full sync (like how Dropbox works with everything having to be in the Dropbox folder.) The client's UI also shows you recently changed/added files, how much of your 50GB you're using, gives you quick access to your local Mega folder or your account on the Mega website, shows syncing status, etc.
It also has some interesting looking features (which I've never used because I only just found out about them while checking out the client for this writeup) such as "Import Links" which allows you to paste in a Mega link (or several in batch) to add them to your Mega account. "Stream from Mega" allows you to choose a file on your Mega account (or a Mega link from someone else's account) and stream it. I'm assuming this is for videos and possibly audio, but it looks like it allows you to select which application to open the file(s) with so I guess anything that makes sense to do that with will work.
And one major nice thing about Mega over Dropbox is that Mega has end-to-end encryption, so they can't snoop on or leak your files like Dropbox can and has.
In fact, writing this up, I've practically convinced myself to switch over to Mega from Dropbox. Hmm... :-\
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My experience with Mega is limited only to Windows and Android clients. And the browser-based client.
The Android client works a lot like the Dropbox client for Android. It lets you navigate your files and folders and click on files to download them to your device. You can also upload from your device, or just get a link to share a file/folder with someone else. It has more features and options than that, but that covers probably 90+% of what you'd want to do with Mega on Android.
The Windows client runs quietly in the tray, automatically syncing as per your settings. You can set up multiple local directories to sync to your Mega account for a "selective sync" by linking your local directories to certain subdirectories in your Mega account. Or you can just link one local directory to the "root" of your Mega account for a full sync (like how Dropbox works with everything having to be in the Dropbox folder.) The client's UI also shows you recently changed/added files, how much of your 50GB you're using, gives you quick access to your local Mega folder or your account on the Mega website, shows syncing status, etc.
It also has some interesting looking features (which I've never used because I only just found out about them while checking out the client for this writeup) such as "Import Links" which allows you to paste in a Mega link (or several in batch) to add them to your Mega account. "Stream from Mega" allows you to choose a file on your Mega account (or a Mega link from someone else's account) and stream it. I'm assuming this is for videos and possibly audio, but it looks like it allows you to select which application to open the file(s) with so I guess anything that makes sense to do that with will work.
And one major nice thing about Mega over Dropbox is that Mega has end-to-end encryption, so they can't snoop on or leak your files like Dropbox can and has.
In fact, writing this up, I've practically convinced myself to switch over to Mega from Dropbox. Hmm... :-\
-Deozaan
Thanks for that Deozaan, high praise indeed. I've worked out some simple functionality and for the time being I think I'll use baby steps until I get the feel for it. I had no idea about Dropbox leaking info.....
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I had no idea about Dropbox leaking info.....
-keithy397
If you want to know more about that, just Google "Dropbox security breach" and/or check out the Privacy Concerns section on the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropbox_%28service%29
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Mega is updating its terms of service, one of the changes allows for termination of inactive/unreachable accounts:
Termination of free accounts for inactivity or failure to respond: MEGA provides one of the most generous free accounts around – 50 GB of user encrypted storage – for free! However, some users have become inactive and we are unable to contact them. We also need to make sure that we can contact all our users should we need to issue any notices. We’ve therefore instituted an option for MEGA to terminate inactive accounts or non-responsive accounts after 3 months. Rest assured, MEGA does not want to lose legitimate customers, so you will receive ample notice before we do this. It’s an important reason though to make sure the email address in your account details is up to date now and is kept up to date, otherwise you won’t get that notice. You can update your contact and login email address at https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile (https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile).[/quote/
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Mega is updating its terms of service, one of the changes allows for termination of inactive/unreachable accounts:
Termination of free accounts for inactivity or failure to respond: MEGA provides one of the most generous free accounts around – 50 GB of user encrypted storage – for free! However, some users have become inactive and we are unable to contact them. We also need to make sure that we can contact all our users should we need to issue any notices. We’ve therefore instituted an option for MEGA to terminate inactive accounts or non-responsive accounts after 3 months. Rest assured, MEGA does not want to lose legitimate customers, so you will receive ample notice before we do this. It’s an important reason though to make sure the email address in your account details is up to date now and is kept up to date, otherwise you won’t get that notice. You can update your contact and login email address at https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile (https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile).[/quote/
Thanks Deozaan.
Since a few days ago I've stopped looking as I finally managed to sort out my home network and purchased an external hdd to manually backup my stuff via Syncback. I think that serves my needs just fine being able to share info from Laptop to Desktop and doing the basic copy from one device to another if necessary.
I would like to thank all you guys for pitching in. I picked up some invaluable info along the way.
Many thanks...-Deozaan
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I didn't understand what are you looking for???
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I wanted to be able to sync my Laptop and Desktop.
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Syncback
-Carol Haynes
Definitely a very good option. In Syncback, just create a sync profile. It works both ways (a file added / modified on your laptop will become added/modified on your desktop and vice versa).
Be careful not to modify the same file both on the laptop and desktop at the same time, otherwise there will be a conflict (SynBack Pro will ask you which version of the file you want to keep). This is not a cloud solution, no need for an Internet connection.
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Syncback
-Carol Haynes
Definitely a very good option. In Syncback, just create a sync profile. It works both ways (a file added / modified on your laptop will become added/modified on your desktop and vice versa).
Be careful not to modify the same file both on the laptop and desktop at the same time, otherwise there will be a conflict (SynBack Pro will ask you which version of the file you want to keep). This is not a cloud solution, no need for an Internet connection.-ppass
Hi ppass,
I do have Syncback (and have had for quite some time) on my Laptop and I understand what you're saying but how do I connect it to the Desktop as well as the Laptop? There is only one Ethernet socket on the external HDD. The only way I can think of is via Wifi?? I have just realised..... My two machines are linked via my wifi so if I search for the Desktop files via my Laptop to select the Desktop files to backup and then select the same file in my Syncback files on my HDD...... Is that what you mean?
Cheers,
Keith
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Hi ppass,
I do have Syncback (and have had for quite some time) on my Laptop and I understand what you're saying but how do I connect it to the Desktop as well as the Laptop? There is only one Ethernet socket on the external HDD. The only way I can think of is via Wifi?? I have just realised..... My two machines are linked via my wifi so if I search for the Desktop files via my Laptop to select the Desktop files to backup and then select the same file in my Syncback files on my HDD...... Is that what you mean?
Cheers,
Keith
-keithy397
You can use a portable device like an external hard disk to do the go-between. You Sync your desktop to the USB hard disk, then sync the USB hard disk to the laptop. Or you can just use the desktop and the USB hard disk and plug the USB hard disk to your laptop when you need to work on the data, without having to actually write the data to the laptop.
If your laptop and desktop are on the same LAN, and you have admin rights, you can share a folder to make it visible on the network and you can map a network drive, then put the proper source / destination in the smart sync profile. I have not tested it but it should work.
More advanced features of SyncBack Pro enable you to sync to the cloud (SharePoint / OneDrive for example) both ways (with your Laptop and your desktop).
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P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.
-dr_andus
Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.
Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.
Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.
-dr_andus
a good argument for also having good local backup on each machine with multiple versions saved -- for that time when you just forget that you opened that database...
-tomos
Okeydokey!! I've got my head around it now, thanks for the heads up guys in that respect. ;)
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The license requirements for the free version of Allways Sync are quite restrictive. If you do not qualify for a free licenses with Allways Sync, the cost of the Pro version is $26 for the first computer plus $16 for each additional USB device or computer.
A good competitor is GoodSync (https://www.goodsync.com/) by Siber Systems which I have been using for about 10 years with no issues. They also have Mac, Android and Linux versions. I have used the Android version for about 6 years but not the Mac or Linux versions.
GoodSync has a free version with quantity of files limitations after 30 days. They charge $30 for their Pro version for the first computer plus $10 for each additional computer. They do not charge for additional USB devices. They also have a USB based version for $40 which can be used on 1 USB device with any number of computers.
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I'll take a look at GoodSync later. I've got a version of Allways Sync on my Laptop but haven't used it in a while. I've not long got in so I'll start with setting up Syncback which I'm hoping will work otherwise it's setting up from scratch.....
Thanks for the info Mark.