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[Will_Robinson]

Each time I add new mp3 files to my collection I want to backup the entire collection to a second computer but I don't want to wait through the process of reloading thousands of files that haven't changed just to add a few new ones....

Is there a way to make it easy for the backup software to recognize which ones need to be backed up? For instance new files added to the collection or old files that I've altered the tag info for.

I'm  not up to speed on how these things are done. I'm just starting to use Synchromagic and had to wait through the deletion and re-copying of the whole collection just to backup a dozen files I'd added...there must be a better way!

Any help will be most appreciated!

[Alex B]

I use Danz Retrospect and it works fine. It copies the new or changed files and removes the deleted files also from the backup drive.

Karen's Replicator is a well-known freeware program for that.

[KingSparta]

Karen's Replicator is a well-known freeware program for that.

It has bugs (visual), but it does a good job

one day I may take the source code and fix it

[GHammer]

If you want a freeware app, take a look at this:

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

If you don't mind spending money for an app, this is hard to beat.

http://www.spursuits.com/suresync/suresync.htm

[KingSparta]

trying syncback-hub now, looks good

[modelmaker]

If you  are only adding files, you should be able to disable deletion/recopy function and just copy the new files. It should run a bit faster. Or wait to to do it when you go to bed.

[dcwebman]

If you want a freeware app, take a look at this:

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

Guess something happened to the site because it's no longer there.

[GHammer]

Guess something happened to the site because it's no longer there.

Guess it's a good thing I got the latest version before it went away then.

Looks to me like someone didn't get their webhost paid. The site goes to a hosting company now. Or DNS problems, or...

Try again in a few days I'd say.

[Will_Robinson]

Just an update, Syncromagic does do the job, apparantly my problem was between the keyboard and the chair 

I did download Syncback and will try it out for comparisons sake.

[KingSparta]

Guess something happened to the site because it's no longer there.

I Have The Latest Version Of Syncback On My FTP Site

[hit_ny]

I'm searching for other optoins to do backups as well. I currently mirror my collection to another drive. This makes a byte for byte identical copy but its quite time intensive.

I found an app called rsync (*nix only) that actually uses rolling checksums to do updates, do the apps mentioned above by various people use this. Only moves changed files.

I was a bit apphrehensive that not all changed tracks may be synced up.

[stirfry]

Hi,

For home and work I use robocopy which is DOS based copy program.   So using that within a batch script and  Windows Scheduler works a treat. 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=robocopy

[GHammer]

I'm searching for other optoins to do backups as well. I currently mirror my collection to another drive. This makes a byte for byte identical copy but its quite time intensive.

I found an app called rsync (*nix only) that actually uses rolling checksums to do updates, do the apps mentioned above by various people use this. Only moves changed files.

I was a bit apphrehensive that not all changed tracks may be synced up.

rsync and robocopy seem to be equivilent in their way.

I like to have something a bit easier to use and with a bit different way of determining what to backup.

But, that's why there are a number of apps out there. Isn't it?

[dcwebman]

I Have The Latest Version Of Syncback On My FTP Site

Thanks King.

[GHammer]

The Syncback developer has some info about his webhost on his personal website.
Meantime a link for the latest version 3.2.6.0 is here, which is the developer's personal site.

http://www.mjleaver.com/Software/SyncBack_Setup.zip

[hit_ny]

rsync and robocopy seem to be equivilent in their way.

I like to have something a bit easier to use and with a bit different way of determining what to backup.

But, that's why there are a number of apps out there. Isn't it?

Easier is always welcome.

What different way did you have in mind ? i was under the impression a checksum type of method would be more accurate.

Another question i have is how do people verify that thier sync is accurate ?

[KingSparta]

The Syncback developer has some info about his webhost on his personal website.
Meantime a link for the latest version 3.2.6.0 is here, which is the developer's personal site.

http://www.mjleaver.com/Software/SyncBack_Setup.zip

Looks like his site is back up

[GHammer]

Easier is always welcome.

What different way did you have in mind ? i was under the impression a checksum type of method would be more accurate.

Another question i have is how do people verify that thier sync is accurate ?

Some use FSUM http://www.slavasoft.com/fsum/
Personally I like FastSum http://www.fastsum.com/
Why? Just easier to work with, it does certain tasks for you when working with the checksum file and subdirectories.
Both are good.

As for the methods of determining differences, yes a checksum test would be the most accurate. Also one of the slowest ways. I use SureSync, and they have their own ways of knowing when files have changed. Even if the time/date/attribs/size are the same between two files. It's uncanny. And very fast. My favorite thing is it runs as a true service and has excellent scheduling. So, as long as the system is on, I don't have to worry.

Anyway, the idea is to have an accurate backup and to not backup until you are sure that the live files are not corrupt or otherwise damaged. I found what works well for me. If SyncBack had been available when I bought SureSync, I'd have saved money.

[SeanC]

Can't you just use the Handheld synchronization function in MC to 'sync' a to a share on the other computer?

That way, it automatically updates and deletes only changed files, and no external tools are required.

[IanG]

Can't you just use the Handheld synchronization function in MC to 'sync' a to a share on the other computer?

That way, it automatically updates and deletes only changed files, and no external tools are required.

I don't think MC will detect that a file has been changed, whereas that's exactly what a backup program will do.  I'd also expect a backup program to work unattended and to a schedule and offer the options of verification and logging.

That said though, it would be nice if MC included some archiving features - my photos follow Sturgeon's Law (90% of everything is crap!) but it would be nice to be able to tag the keepers and synch them to a backup.  I could do that now with a removeable HD, but I'd much rather use optical.

Ian G.

[Alex B]

The Handheld synchronization would be enough just for basic media file duplicating. I am not sure if it works for all file types that can be used in MC. It doesn't copy e.g. cover art and files, which are external to MC library. It doesn't make any sophisticated file comparisons from drive to drive.

That SyncBack looks excellent and it worked fine for a few test files. Does anyone have experiences about how well it can handle tens of thousands files and hundreds of gigabytes of data?

Also, the forthcoming pro version looks promising: http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbp-features.html

My Dantz Retrospect Express (a bundle version, which comes with Maxtor drives) is not that comprehensive in options, but it does the work as it should. It is very quick, works very smoothly and feels stable and professional. (Dantz has made backup software for decades and the server versions are prized up to $3500.)

Retrospect Express does not have the option to check and update the drives in both ways at once. If the files are changed in both drives I have to let it work twice, once in both directions. Though, this is more or less speculation since I don't usually edit the files on my backup drives.