Regular backups of a directory

Shakey_Jake33 · Jul 7, 2007, 06:54 AM

I have about 40GB of Mp3's, and I wish to backup this directory to external HDD on a regular basis (say, weekly). However, rather than copy the entire directory to external HDD every week (which is a time consuming process), is there some way I can keep the 2 directories in sync and only backup the changes? Is there an application that can do this?

mkk · Jul 7, 2007, 02:21 PM

I recently found Microsofts Sync Toy and it seems alright.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 25, 2007, 06:24 PM

Any backup program will do this for you.... the reason copying the directory over is so time consuming is that it copies EVERYTHING over and overwrites EVERYTHING, even if the files are the same. A proper backup program (like what mkk posted) will copy only things that have changed or are new, saving a heck of alot of time.

Tipstaff · Jul 26, 2007, 01:53 AM

I prefer Second Copy for things like this, however it's not free ($30 per single license). Best piece of software of it's kind that I've used.

Tipstaff · Aug 26, 2007, 10:15 AM

Alright.. gonna commit a great sin by posting into an old thread, but I just had to after finding this great piece of software called SyncBackupSE, by 2BrightSparks. I got so fed up with SecondCopy taking FOREVER to do simple incremental backups. It literally copy/pasted files that never changed, and took forever to do so. It was no better than manually copy/pasting files yourself with the exception that it did it without asking you.

This is where SyncBackupSE comes in. SyncBackupSE first scans the source directory, then the destination directory, quickly mind you, and if any files are different (ie. new ones, changed, deleted, missing) it will then sync the folders however you have it setup... and I do mean however you have it. There's so many ways to setup the syncing it's insane. Another thing I like about it is that I can setup a reoccurring backup schedule, say something like every 2 hours to whatever I want.

In any case, just read the homepage for the program to see what I mean. This software is amazing.

Move over SecondCopy, SyncBackupSE just kicked your ass to the curb.

PangingJr · Aug 27, 2007, 12:46 PM

for myself personally, when thinking about backup and recovery solutions, the software program likes Ghost and True Image will always come first.
if the data you want to backup is store in and has its own partition, and by using the True Image, then you can also create a backup image of the partition to a file, or create a backup of file/folder only. the True Image can create the backup in full, incremental backup, differential backup, and you can schedule a backup time and the frequency of the backup job which can also be set.

Jul 7, 2007, 06:54 AM	#1
Shakey_Jake33 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 80 Rep Power: 0	Regular backups of a directory I have about 40GB of Mp3's, and I wish to backup this directory to external HDD on a regular basis (say, weekly). However, rather than copy the entire directory to external HDD every week (which is a time consuming process), is there some way I can keep the 2 directories in sync and only backup the changes? Is there an application that can do this? __________________ CPU: Intel Core2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz RAM: 2GB (2X1) GEiL DDR2 800MHz CAS4 GPU: OCUK GeForce 7900 GTO SILENT 512Meg Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe Sound Card: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Case: Antec P180 Black PSU: Seasonic S12 600W

Jul 26, 2007, 01:53 AM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	I prefer Second Copy for things like this, however it's not free ($30 per single license). Best piece of software of it's kind that I've used. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Aug 26, 2007, 10:15 AM	#5
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Alright.. gonna commit a great sin by posting into an old thread, but I just had to after finding this great piece of software called SyncBackupSE, by 2BrightSparks. I got so fed up with SecondCopy taking FOREVER to do simple incremental backups. It literally copy/pasted files that never changed, and took forever to do so. It was no better than manually copy/pasting files yourself with the exception that it did it without asking you. This is where SyncBackupSE comes in. SyncBackupSE first scans the source directory, then the destination directory, quickly mind you, and if any files are different (ie. new ones, changed, deleted, missing) it will then sync the folders however you have it setup... and I do mean however you have it. There's so many ways to setup the syncing it's insane. Another thing I like about it is that I can setup a reoccurring backup schedule, say something like every 2 hours to whatever I want. In any case, just read the homepage for the program to see what I mean. This software is amazing. Move over SecondCopy, SyncBackupSE just kicked your ass to the curb. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Aug 26, 2007 at 10:22 AM.

Jul 7, 2007, 02:21 PM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,487 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	I recently found Microsofts Sync Toy and it seems alright.

Jul 25, 2007, 06:24 PM	#3
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Any backup program will do this for you.... the reason copying the directory over is so time consuming is that it copies EVERYTHING over and overwrites EVERYTHING, even if the files are the same. A proper backup program (like what mkk posted) will copy only things that have changed or are new, saving a heck of alot of time.

Aug 27, 2007, 12:46 PM	#6
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	for myself personally, when thinking about backup and recovery solutions, the software program likes Ghost and True Image will always come first. if the data you want to backup is store in and has its own partition, and by using the True Image, then you can also create a backup image of the partition to a file, or create a backup of file/folder only. the True Image can create the backup in full, incremental backup, differential backup, and you can schedule a backup time and the frequency of the backup job which can also be set.