File Backup Programs

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I’ve used Karen’s Replicator as a good manual or scheduled file backup tool for some time on Win 7.
Running it on Win 10 it appears to operate in the same way, but doesn’t actually copy files and shows errors. I assume this is something to do with MS’s changes to copy routines.
Has anyone come across this problem, or any ideas for working round it, alternatively if I have to change are there any good candidates with similar operating characteristics you can recommend?

TIA

Alex

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Check out the built-in File History. See File History in Windows. Other links at windows 10 file history.

--Joe

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Thanks Joe but I’m not using standard folders like documents etc for data storage. The beauty of Replicator was I could name source folder or partition and destination, either on the PC or an external drive without worrying about windows conventional storage settings.

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Go to Settings | Update & Security | BackUp | More*options under*”Backup using File History”. You can add or remove folders or exclude folders.

--Joe

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Robocopy is always a good standby. You can have it run permanently and monitor changes.

cheers, Paul

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I like SyncBackSE and have used it for years. There is a free version called SyncBackFree, with less features. Support is very good with both of these.

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I’ve used Karen’s Replicator as a good manual or scheduled file backup tool for some time on Win 7.

I know what you mean, just a real shame she passed before getting her programs fully up to Win10’s needs.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Good news.

I had uninstalled Replicator, so after updating Win 101 to 15025 as an Insider I reinstalled it and it works ok now.
Don’t ask me why!

Alex

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Doing backups can be as complicated and costly as you like, or as simple as sending an email.

Since I started doing backups with MS DOS Backup in 1983, many so-called Backup programs have come and gone, and I’ve evaluated a Bunch of them. (some with disastrous results).

In 1997 I found a backup program, written by a little known group in New Zealand, simply called “Ghost”.

We used it then, in my shop, to clone small HD’s to larger HD’s. We did a lot of that in those days as programs and OS’s were getting larger and larger and required more HD space.

Since then I’ve used Ghost and it’s updates to back up Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, Win-7, Win-8.1, and now Win-10.
Whether the OS is 32 bit or 64 bit, Ghost just doesn’t care. It backs up everything, even Linux, or so I’ve been told by my Software Guru and Web Master, who runs a Linux Server.

There was actually a version that ran from within Windows, but it was impossible to run the Restore function when the HD had already CRASHED. Not good!

So I always run Ghost 11.5 (DOS Version) from any bootable media, , , Floppy Disk, CD, Flash Drive or dedicated HD.
I even have Ghost on a bootable SD Memory Card. 🙂

It will do backups of all the Digital files on a HD and compress it (or not) and then save it to the location of your choice, an external HD being the best choice.
Or if I like, I can use Ghost to CLONE one hard drive to one of the same size or larger.

It’s just so comforting to know, that if my main HD (currently a 120GB SSD) blows its brains out. Like I had one do a year or so ago, in 15 minutes or less, I can be back up and running, as if nothing ever happened.

As for data files that are updated regularly, and I do have a few of those, as well as newly saved pictures, I use a very simple little Batch File using XCOPY to copy those files to a 120GB Flash drive or a USB External Drive.
I can run that batch file from a Shortcut on my desktop.

Did I mention, I like to “Keep it Simple …….”?

Ghost 11.5 is no longer supported by Symantec, the company that bought the original Ghost code.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor 😎

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Doing backups can be as complicated and costly as you like, or as simple as sending an email.

Since I started doing backups with MS DOS Backup in 1983, many so-called Backup programs have come and gone, and I’ve evaluated a Bunch of them. (some with disastrous results).

In 1997 I found a backup program, written by a little known group in New Zealand, simply called “Ghost”.

We used it then, in my shop, to clone small HD’s to larger HD’s. We did a lot of that in those days as programs and OS’s were getting larger and larger and required more HD space.

Since then I’ve used Ghost and it’s updates to back up Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, Win-7, Win-8.1, and now Win-10.
Whether the OS is 32 bit or 64 bit, Ghost just doesn’t care. It backs up everything, even Linux, or so I’ve been told by my Software Guru and Web Master, who runs a Linux Server.

There was actually a version that ran from within Windows, but it was impossible to run the Restore function when the HD had already CRASHED. Not good!

So I always run Ghost 11.5 (DOS Version) from any bootable media, , , Floppy Disk, CD, Flash Drive or dedicated HD.
I even have Ghost on a bootable SD Memory Card. 🙂

It will do backups of all the Digital files on a HD and compress it (or not) and then save it to the location of your choice, an external HD being the best choice.
Or if I like, I can use Ghost to CLONE one hard drive to one of the same size or larger.

It’s just so comforting to know, that if my main HD (currently a 120GB SSD) blows its brains out. Like I had one do a year or so ago, in 15 minutes or less, I can be back up and running, as if nothing ever happened.

As for data files that are updated regularly, and I do have a few of those, as well as newly saved pictures, I use a very simple little Batch File using XCOPY to copy those files to a 120GB Flash drive or a USB External Drive.
I can run that batch file from a Shortcut on my desktop.

Did I mention, I like to “Keep it Simple …….”?

Ghost 11.5 is no longer supported by Symantec, the company that bought the original Ghost code.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor 😎

Will Ghost backup a Ubuntu Linux drive?

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Will Ghost backup a Ubuntu Linux drive?

Possibly… if it’s an old version of Ubuntu using ext2 or ext3… but not the current default ext4 file system. Have a look at this post in the Ubuntu forum.

If Macrium Reflect won’t do it (which it should do… see this post in the Macrium Support forum) then try Clonezilla.

Hope this helps…

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Possibly… if it’s an old version of Ubuntu using ext2 or ext3… but not the current default ext4 file system. Have a look at this post in the Ubuntu forum.

If Macrium Reflect won’t do it (which it should do… see this post in the Macrium Support forum) then try Clonezilla.

Hope this helps…

Yeah, I figured I could do it by booting with the Macrium Rescue disk that I made in Macrium for Windows! I was hoping for another way, just in case I lose that Windows disk, or start with Linux on the computer.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Yeah, I figured I could do it by booting with the Macrium Rescue disk that I made in Macrium for Windows! I was hoping for another way, just in case I lose that Windows disk, or start with Linux on the computer.

Jim FYI Macrium can make a Boot entry and boot files that will allow booting to an existing disk (HDD or SSD). I used this option for a secondary drive and my external backup drive. I now don’t have to remember where I put that CD,I still have to remember to refresh the install if I upgrade the MR I use to backupimage. :cheers:

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Jim FYI Macrium can make a Boot entry and boot files that will allow booting to an existing disk (HDD or SSD). I used this option for a secondary drive and my external backup drive. I now don’t have to remember where I put that CD,I still have to remember to refresh the install if I upgrade the MR I use to backupimage. :cheers:

But the boot process has to originate from somewhere. My point is, if I have totally abandoned Windows in favor of Linux: (1) Can Macrium be installed in a Linux environment, or (2) Is there another way to boot, short of reloading Windows on the machine, if I don’t have the Macrium emergency boot disk?

It seems to me that I will need to have a Windows boot disk (with Macrium installed), or a Macrium boot disk (which can be created only from an installed copy of Macrium, on the computer you want to restore to). If I am correct, then Macrium isn’t yet ready for a Linux-only environment. Or is it?

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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But the boot process has to originate from somewhere. My point is, if I have totally abandoned Windows in favor of Linux: (1) Can Macrium be installed in a Linux environment, or (2) Is there another way to boot, short of reloading Windows on the machine, if I don’t have the Macrium emergency boot disk?

It seems to me that I will need to have a Windows boot disk (with Macrium installed), or a Macrium boot disk (which can be created only from an installed copy of Macrium, on the computer you want to restore to). If I am correct, then Macrium isn’t yet ready for a Linux-only environment. Or is it?

I do not see a Linux option for MR, I am not sure why this is as they have a Linux based CD run option. I am thinking the CD run version may offer the option to do this. If you are going the Linux route Clonzilla may be the way to go.

I have been wondering if Linux will be the OS of choice in my future and do not relish the learning curve (although WX has its own ever morphing curve). I find windows help forums much friendlier than what little I have experienced on Linux forums.

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I have been wondering if Linux will be the OS of choice in my future and do not relish the learning curve (although WX has its own ever morphing curve). I find windows help forums much friendlier than what little I have experienced on Linux forums.

Some things work very well in Linux, some do not.

I would encourage you to plunge in, using some sort of dual boot, or perhaps a spare computer for Linux. In this way, you will be ready if the time comes that you feel you should abandon Windows.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Some things work very well in Linux, some do not.

I would encourage you to plunge in, using some sort of dual boot, or perhaps a spare computer for Linux. In this way, you will be ready if the time comes that you feel you should abandon Windows.

I have been using it for years but not for my everyday computer. Ready? I still do not feel ready for post 8 windows. :o:

FWIW I first installed Linux in ’94, a distribution called Yggdrasil. It wanted to take up double the space of my 500 MB HDD and I soon put W 3.11 back. Lost opportunity perhaps. I have used Linux and Nix type OSes at work , certainly more than at home, perhaps I over stated my lack of familiarity a bit. From my experience Linux is now at a stage where a novice can survive if they do not want to customize but a guru is needed otherwise. Windows is getting there as well. Maybe I will boot up my Mint disk and let it update itself.. :cheers:

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I have been using it for years but not for my everyday computer. Ready? I still do not feel ready for post 8 windows. :o:

FWIW I first installed Linux in ’94, a distribution called Yggdrasil. It wanted to take up double the space of my 500 MB HDD and I soon put W 3.11 back. Lost opportunity perhaps. I have used Linux and Nix type OSes at work , certainly more than at home, perhaps I over stated my lack of familiarity a bit. From my experience Linux is now at a stage where a novice can survive if they do not want to customize but a guru is needed otherwise. Windows is getting there as well. Maybe I will boot up my Mint disk and let it update itself.. :cheers:

I have the latest version of Ubuntu. It’s pretty straightforward; most things install without any difficulty, such as my wireless printer. However, I haven’t been able to get the scanner part to work.

I chose Ubuntu because it appeared to be well-supported. I have since discovered that Ubuntu seems to be the best-supported version of Linux in terms of available software.

In fact, if I had a business, I would seriously consider paying Canonical for Ubuntu support, and deploying it in my business.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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So I always run Ghost 11.5 (DOS Version)

Ghost 11.5 is no longer supported by Symantec, the company that bought the original Ghost code.

Your post omits a few details:

[*]Ghost 11.5 was not a standalone retail version; it was an enterprise version (with licencing restrictions) within Ghost Solution Suite 2.5. (I know… we used it in work until Windows 7 came out.)
[*]According to Symantec, Ghost v11.5 was fully compatible with XP and Vista; nothing later.
[*]Even the last version of Ghost (v15) was only fully compatible with Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
[*]According to Symantec, there is no version of Ghost that is fully compatible with Windows 8, 8.1 or 10.
[*]The last version of Ghost was discontinued by Symantec nearly 4 years ago.

Have a look at this Symantec article for more info:

Norton Ghost has been discontinued
[Update: Updated announcement with Norton Ghost & Windows 10 compatibility info on 31-July-2015]

Hope this helps…

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I used to use Ghost for partition imaging but changed to Acronis True Image some years ago.
I still use the 2011 version, on a bootable usb drive, which works well.
It images partitions/drives irrespective of what’s on them. So data, linux partitions, any version of Windows, all come down to bits in the end, and that’s what’s saved in an image.

Alex

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After I upgraded from Vista to Win7 I set up Win7’s “Backup and Restore” to back up my data files weekly to a separate “BACKUP” partition on a separate internal HDD. That would have been about four or five years ago, and there have been several occasions when I have accidentally deleted or mistakenly modified files when I was able to restore them from within Win7’s “Backup and Restore”.

Win7’s “Backup and Restore” also creates a system image of the C: partition, but I’ve never needed to restore from one of those. About monthly I create images of my C: (OS) and D: (Data) partitions to an external USB HDD using BootIt Bare Metal which is my main backup strategy.

However, during the past few years I have attended quite a few customers who were using Personal Backup to backup their data files. If I wasn’t so comfortable using Win7’s “Backup and Restore” I would almost certainly use “Personal Backup” instead.

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[bbearren]

I agree with Paul T RE Robocopy. It’s quick, slick, will run unnoticed in the background, and is solid. I use a command line in Task Scheduler to copy My Documents to my local OneDrive folder daily. It looks like this:

C:WindowsSystem32Robocopy.exe V:UsersbbearrenDocuments A:OneDriveDocuments /MIR /XJD /R:1 /W:1 /MT:64 /V /NP /LOG:V:UsersbbearrenDesktopDocumentsCopy.log

The log file on my desktop is not actually necessary, I just use it occasionally for a quick check to see that the copy completed.

I have another command line task in Task Scheduler to copy a data partition through the network to my NAS on a daily basis. It looks like this:

C:WindowsSystem32Robocopy.exe G: \NASFilesFiles /MIR /XJD /XD “System Volume Information” /R:1 /W:1 /MT:64 /V /NP /LOG:V:UsersbbearrenDesktopFilesCopy.log

Note the /XD “System Volume Information”. Without excluding that directory, the log shows a copy failure. System Volume Information is an “Access denied” system folder that is present on all partitions, and I don’t want to copy it anyway.

And I have another for my financial files. The command lines are almost identical except for the source and target, and they only copy changed files. The first run gets everything, and subsequent runs only copy new files or changes to existing files.

I have them setup in Task Scheduler to run daily, but they can just as easily be setup to run “At logon”, “At startup”, “On idle”.

For drive images I use this routine.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by bbearren.

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“W 3.11” — ahhh, a lad after me own ‘eart! I remember those days! Long config.sys, long autoexec.bat, and so on…

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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Um, we seem to have drifted off topic on this thread…

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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Karen’s Replicator was free, if I recall correctly, and there may be other freeware that is ‘close enough’ for your purposes if you don’t care for Windows’ own solution.

I think most paid backup programs will do what you want, but there is another option that may be worth keeping in mind, and that is to buy a new external drive. They’re pretty inexpensive these days and they typically come with bundled software that includes a data backup program. In the case of WD drives, a WD My Passport (Ultra?) includes WD Backup, WD Security, and WD Tools, and it will work on any computer so long as there is at least one WD drive somewhere in the system, even if it’s only the destination for the backup. I also have a WD My Book (4T) that includes those as well as WD Acronis, which is a limited version of Acronis (no incremental backups allowed).

I’m not a good source of advice about the performance of these programs even though I have them all, so I suggest you ask for opinions from experienced users. When you factor it into the price of the drive, a drive might look like a worthwhile investment.

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