Looking for simple backup software

[MrCrispy]

I've read many articles/threads on backup/imaging but still haven't found something that is simpe enough for a novice yet powerful. What I'm looking for -

1. define backup profile like backup a certain folder/drive
2. detect external drives based on their unique serial numbers, not drive letter
3. automatically run the backup when the external drive is connected
4. be able to monitor the backup location for changes
5. keep multiple revisions
6. keep backup files in a native format, so I can use the backup drive anywhere
7. be integrated into explorer, like previous versions. So I can right click on a file/folder and say, show me the last 2 revisions

Many programs do 1,4,5 but I haven't seen anything which combines all the above.

[tomos]

not familiar with this one but it seems to do #2 anyways

No Hands Backup (http://www.anderssoftware.com/) has a bit of a quirky interface but it does all the standard file-level backup ups (zipped or not, multiple versions or not, filters, schedule). For me it has one killer feature, you can associate a backup with a particular removable media (by serial number or label). That way I could tell my mum "just put the red usb key in the drive once a week" and NHB automagically detects that this particular USB key is in and asks "want to start the backup?" and then just does it (i usually get her to do it when i chat with her on the phone). I use it to run different backups on different DVDram disks, and on my external drive etc. It's a very nice feature.

-iphigenie (February 27, 2007, 05:26 AM)

[MerleOne]

I've read many articles/threads on backup/imaging but still haven't found something that is simpe enough for a novice yet powerful. What I'm looking for -

1. define backup profile like backup a certain folder/drive
2. detect external drives based on their unique serial numbers, not drive letter
3. automatically run the backup when the external drive is connected
4. be able to monitor the backup location for changes
5. keep multiple revisions
6. keep backup files in a native format, so I can use the backup drive anywhere
7. be integrated into explorer, like previous versions. So I can right click on a file/folder and say, show me the last 2 revisions

Many programs do 1,4,5 but I haven't seen anything which combines all the above.

-MrCrispy (January 26, 2009, 07:19 PM)

I think SFFS, Super Flexible File Synchronizer is close to do what you want, may be not all but most of them.
http://www.superflexible.com/ which does 1,2?,3?,4,5,6, 7
Also AJC Backup which does 1,4,5,7

[cmpm]

This seems close except the serial number deal.

http://www.macrium.com/default.asp

[MerleOne]

I have a very bad experience with Macrium : it install an active filter driver that runs even when Reflect is not running and this had made my XP BSOD several times.  After I removed it, BSOD disappeared.  That was with GAOTD free license a while ago.  Maybe it's fixed now...

[cmpm]

hm, yes you are right MerleOne.
And they have not found a solution yet.
Putting the problem on other hardware or software of the user.
Instead of trying to duplicate the problem.
That's what I see from this forum discussion of what you said.

When I try to explore an image by assigning drive letter and then just go around and browse folders I got a blue screen crush!

I use Macrium reflect - free edition - version 4.2 build 2021
on windows xp sp 3

Thanks
Shimon

Nick
Moderator

United Kingdom
989 Posts
   
Posted - October 16 2008 :  11:48:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Shimon

You may have a conflict with other software on your PC.


Nick - Macrium Support

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shimon.sofer
Starting Member

Israel
3 Posts
   
Posted - October 16 2008 :  12:56:07  Show Profile  Reply with Quote

1. Does it mean that the image is corrupt or just browse is problematic ?

2. Do you have some list of software which can conflict - I have 42Tags, vnc,skype,msgr, tortoisesvn, clipmate, evernote, ultramon, taskbarshuffle,
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Nick
Moderator

United Kingdom
989 Posts
   
Posted - October 16 2008 :  13:25:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote

    quote:1. Does it mean that the image is corrupt or just browse is problematic ?


Verify it (Other Tasks > Verify) to make sure. If the verify fails then that is also a possible cause of your blue screen on browse.

    quote:2. Do you have some list of software which can conflict - I have 42Tags, vnc,skype,msgr, tortoisesvn, clipmate, evernote, ultramon, taskbarshuffle,


The browse driver is a kernel mode file system filter driver. It's a very robust driver but a blue screen is technically possible if another (incorrect) file system filter driver is conflicting with it or the image file is corrupt. We've never seen a blue screen on browse and no-one has ever reported this before, so I'm afraid we can't supply a list of programs that conflict. If you have any installed software that creates a drive letter in Windows, an ISO mounter for example, then that could be a possible candidate.

Hope this helps

Nick - Macrium Support

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shimon.sofer
Starting Member

Israel
3 Posts
   
Posted - October 16 2008 :  14:00:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The data verification failed...

Is this because my external hard drive is slow on uncompatible ?

Can I save the image on the partition I am trying to backup ?

Thanks
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Merlin
Regular Poster

61 Posts
   
Posted - October 16 2008 :  15:11:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If an image fails to verify, it is usually a sign of a hardware problem.
It could be the hard drive (source or target), bad memory, bad hard drive cable, etc.
You might try a chkdsk /f /r commmand on both drives and see if that helps.
You usually can't save an image on the partition you are trying to back up.
Edited by - Merlin on October 16 2008 15:17:45

[Carol Haynes]

For simple file backups what is wrong with Windows Backup ?

[zajc]

For me one of the simplest and free backup software is Cobian Backup

http://www.educ.umu....ian/cobianbackup.htm

 

[Stoic Joker]

One of our clients has a user that spends most of their time on the road which makes backing up to the server impossible. Given that heavily used laptop hard drives are grenade prone ... I set them up with an external hard drive and setup MS's (free) SyncToy as a scheduled task that runs every night.

So far it's worked fine.

@Carol - I agree but, if a traveling user blows a drive in Kanses there is no guarantee they'll be able to restore the NTbackup job file to a usable state (e.g. I don't want to spend that much time on the phone, do you?). The external drive will leave them functional enough to get the job done in a pinch.

[MerleOne]

BTW, I think the well known Karen Replicator is also close to what MrCrispy is looking for ?

[kartal]

I use syncback pro version, it sounds like it does everything you want, except no:7

I also use Filehamster for realtime folder back up and versioning.

[MrCrispy]

This is going to be for a laptop for my parents who I don't get to see that often. I'm setting them up with a laptop and an external hard disk and a backup routine that will keep their data on 2 pc's safe. Image backups are probably too much.

I will look at NH, syncback (didn't know it can backup when a device is connected) and the others. Thanks.

[kartal]

Yeah it looks like it can back up to spesific device based on serial number, name or drive name.

[mwb1100]

Yes - SyncBackSE definitely does 1 through 6.  I've used all those features except #5 (multiple versions).

However, some people would argue that it's not particularly simple.  But I think that's true of most backup applications that are highly configurable.

[one1]

Ha! I will do some ad here but couldn't resist in sharing this backup software called Backup Dwarf  definitely doesn't all the fancy stuff you listed, but is actually working fo me.

[tomos]

Ha! I will do some ad here but couldn't resist in sharing this backup software called Backup Dwarf  definitely doesn't all the fancy stuff you listed, but is actually working fo me.

-one1 (March 03, 2009, 02:20 PM)

I dont think it'll go far with this pricing structure ($20 - $99)

Standard Edition - allows for 3 backup schedules with 1 folder selection in each backup
Advanced Edition - allows for 5 backup schedules with maximum 5 folder selections in each backup
Professional Edition - allows for 10 backup schedules with maximum 15 folder selections in each backup

$99/ouch - for a programme that has artificial limitations - are you crazy or what???

[MerleOne]

I recently came across Comodo Backup, free license, which has nice features.  On the pay software side, someone also showed me a software called vice-versa.