Need backup software? ASAP!

[HoldenBurn1000]

Hi there. Need a bit of software for a home user that will do an automatic backup every day, week etc. needs to come on a cd if possible so downloads not really wanted but let me know anyway.

Backups will be from a Latop going to an external HDD on the main computer. Files will be music, pics etc.

need a quick reply please

Thanks alot.

[Moby-Dick]

robocopy scripts ?

[HoldenBurn1000]

hmmm its for people that are not completly amazing with pc's. That looks a bit more user friendly?

[Moby-Dick]

surely if you set it up and schedule it then it'll do it without any user interaction at all !

[mistrip]

Acronis true image? (i think you can use it for backups but check first). Nero also has some backup software in it but i've never tried it.

[HoldenBurn1000]

Hmmm cant seemt get this robocopy to work over then LAN. have chosen sorce folder and destination folder on the LAN > hit run, and nothing! black box pops up anmd nothin backs up. pretty such I have set the time correctly aswell.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Anything else?

[cotswoldcs]

Microsoft's SyncToy is a free tool that will do the job. I have used it with success a couple of times but it has one major irritation. You can't exclude specific folders ie: to backup all of My Docs but not My Music. Whilst you can deselect a folder (ie: My Music) whenever you add extra folders to that folder, those get backed up next time you Sync - don't ask why ANYONE would want to do this. It also require the .NET Framework (v1.1) to work. If all you want to do is backup all user data from Laptop to External hard drive it will do the job very quickly and easily.

EDIT = There appears to be a new version of SyncToy available - hopefully this will solve the aforementioned problem!

A good alternative is SyncroneX which I also use. I prefer this but it does cost $20 (14 day free trial)

Acronis True Image is a great product but do you really need to backup the entire hard drive? If so I'd highly recommend this but it will take longer than synchronizing the My Docs folder.

[HoldenBurn1000]

Nope all I need is top sync 1 folder between external one a master pc and a laptop. The microsort looks good but can you set it to run at a certain time without having to do open program and hit run?

[nimblegimble]

I use Genie Backup Pro for our little organisation. It has both easy and advanced modes of operation and within no-time I'd set up 6 daily backups to our Lacie NAS. It costs about £40 but compared to the others I tried I liked it best for cost, features and ease of use. Hope this helps, Nimble.