Any suggestions for back-up software

davej99 · Mar 02, 2009, 16:20:20

Does anyone have any suggestions for simple, low cost backup software; something that will run in the background and not consume vast resources or that I might schedule from time to time; something that does bloat on my NAS; something that does not store data in application specific files or need an application to restore it; something that does not ignore files or bounce path/file lengths that windows can handle and not tell you; something that does not have to generate massive disc images and take all day; something that will let me rename and move a file without a trail of duplicates.

Is it too much to ask for software to be simple? Oh bring back the dim days of DOS when D meant a floppy and backup meant writing to two. Please can you

Rik · Mar 02, 2009, 16:38:06

Have you looked at SyncBack, Dave?

Glenn · Mar 02, 2009, 17:08:37

Or Second Copy

davej99 · Mar 02, 2009, 20:30:19

Thanks for those suggestions. Just come across the free for home Synctoy. It has a command line program of about 50k that can be run from Task Manager as well as windows. Seems to take less than a minute to scan for updates in a test of 20,000 files (10GB) plus the time to copy the changes, which is the network copy/paste time. Seems to put old files into the trashbox and add a counter to them. Anybody any experience of this tool?

Simon · Mar 02, 2009, 20:40:37

No, but you've just reminded me, I need to back up my accounts - thanks, Dave!

Sebby · Mar 02, 2009, 20:47:57

I use Memeo Backup, which actually came bundled with my Western Digital backup drive. It's pretty good.

mrapoc · Mar 02, 2009, 21:27:15

Goodsync gets my vote

Run it on my usb stick everyday to sync with my college drive / home computer

davej99 · Mar 02, 2009, 22:56:29

Quote from: Sebby on Mar 02, 2009, 20:47:57
I use Memeo Backup, which actually came bundled with my Western Digital backup drive. It's pretty good.

Thx for that suggestion Sebby. A copy of Memeo came with my Linkstation mini. I have had problems with it rejecting long file names, that are OK in windows and will copy manually OK, but Memeo rejects. It is proving a chore trawling through 20,000 nested data files to fix. It also seems to ignore some files for reasons I have not yet fathomed and not tell anybody. I just can get file counts and data sizes to tally. It also seems to produce a vast amount of clutter on the NAS. But most of all it is hideously slow copying loads of data compared with copy/paste, and I am only testing with 10GB, albeit on an old 3.5Ghz single core for the time being. I will give it another try, but for now I do not quite trust Memeo, or these Linux XFS NAS boxes. Not too chuffed the print server keeps falling over and file name length seems even further restricted via USB BU. Any tips would be really appreciated Sebby, because as you see I am a bit out of my depth.

Cheers.

Lance · Mar 02, 2009, 23:12:41

Quote from: davej99 on Mar 02, 2009, 20:30:19
Thanks for those suggestions. Just come across the free for home Synctoy. It has a command line program of about 50k that can be run from Task Manager as well as windows. Seems to take less than a minute to scan for updates in a test of 20,000 files (10GB) plus the time to copy the changes, which is the network copy/paste time. Seems to put old files into the trashbox and add a counter to them. Anybody any experience of this tool?

If that is SyncToy (version 2.0) by Microsoft, then yes I use it! Seems to do the job in a nice and efficient manner.

davej99 · Mar 03, 2009, 00:56:11

Strange that, Lance, I never clocked it was a MS product and even thought it was a free for home licence. I found it on a PCWorld magazine cover disc. I only scanned the related article and then tried it. Perversely, I liked its simplicity, but now I discover it's from MS and I feel I should heap derision. I thought it was a kosher chicken sandwich and it turned out to be ham. On the other hand maybe I should be ruled by objective testing rather than innate prejudice.

Thx & Karma.

Rik · Mar 03, 2009, 08:10:46

I use SyncToy as well as SyncBack, Dave, they both have their merits.

Sebby · Mar 03, 2009, 13:29:43

Quote from: davej99 on Mar 02, 2009, 22:56:29
Thx for that suggestion Sebby. A copy of Memeo came with my Linkstation mini. I have had problems with it rejecting long file names, that are OK in windows and will copy manually OK, but Memeo rejects. It is proving a chore trawling through 20,000 nested data files to fix. It also seems to ignore some files for reasons I have not yet fathomed and not tell anybody. I just can get file counts and data sizes to tally. It also seems to produce a vast amount of clutter on the NAS. But most of all it is hideously slow copying loads of data compared with copy/paste, and I am only testing with 10GB, albeit on an old 3.5Ghz single core for the time being. I will give it another try, but for now I do not quite trust Memeo, or these Linux XFS NAS boxes. Not too chuffed the print server keeps falling over and file name length seems even further restricted via USB BU. Any tips would be really appreciated Sebby, because as you see I am a bit out of my depth.

Cheers.

Did you try a newer version from their website? I don't think I've had any trouble with long filenames.

davej99 · Mar 03, 2009, 14:41:46

Quote from: Sebby on Mar 03, 2009, 13:29:43
Did you try a newer version from their website? I don't think I've had any trouble with long filenames.

Thanks and Karma, Sebby. Memeo was lying when it told me there were no updates available. Have downloaded the latest version.

Have read similar reports on long file names. Mine are very long though caused by deep directory trees organising some 20,000 files. What often shows up is a bookmark that has an essay instead of a name. A simple windows root copy will auto-truncate, but Memeo and/or Linux rejects. Will test new version.

Sebby · Mar 03, 2009, 23:21:54

Thanks! So is it okay now?

davej99 · Mar 04, 2009, 10:10:14

Sebby,

New version of Memeo ran without errors, but that could be because I have successfully weeded out the long file names that have thrown up errors before, or it could be because they are now handled better. But oh dear is Memeo slow, taking over 12 hours to make a full back up 10GB of data, albeit running in the background but overnight. Meantime Synctoy took about 40 mins for the 1st copy, (test laptop is old and even with a Gbps NIC struggles to average much more than 50Mbps).

But what I like about Synctoy in echo mode is that changed files show up in the trashbox in the same directory structure as the original & the BU, and the files carry a numerical prefix, none for the first change then 1, 2, 3 etc. The ongoing Synctoy process overhead is less than a minute each time it is re-run.

However, I still cannot reconcile either of the file counts, which I can do with a straight copy/paste.

Sebby · Mar 04, 2009, 14:10:22

I don't find Memeo all that slow. But then I don't really mind; once the initial backup is complete, future changes are pretty much instant.