Best way to sync a desktop PC and a laptop?

[Parm]

So, my new laptop has arrived and I'm ready to have a play with it!

I've never had a laptop before and my first question is, how can I go about keeping my PC and laptop in sync? What I'd like to do is have certain folders set to be synchronised so that I always have the most up to date versions of files on both systems.

The easiest example I guess would be my music folder, I'd like the music folders on both PCs to be synchronised so that if I add any music to say the PC, it'll sync to the laptop at some stage too.

Is this even possible? The desktop and laptop are both running Windows Vista Home Premium and are connected via a home wi-fi network.

As I say, this is my first laptop so maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree but I'm sure you chaps can point me in the right direction.

[TiG]

I've been playing with the new MS SyncToy 2 beta and think its awesome.

I've been using offline folder technology for work and our remote users, but this has been tested on a few users and its by far and away better than what I was using.

TiG

[Fraz]

Yes definitely possible. There is plenty of free software out there. I've used something called GoodSync in the past. Worked well, syncing my music, etc., between a PC, a laptop and a macbook pro.

I'm sure there are plenty of other sync apps out there as well - in fact, there was a thread the other day if you search for it.

[Moby-Dick]

scheduled robocopy

[Parm]

Thanks for the super prompt responses and suggestions!

I'm gonna give TiG's suggestion of SyncToy 2 beta a whirl, will let you know how I get on.

[Parm]

Right then, I tried using SyncToy and it does do what it says on the tin. I think however I have too many files (particularly music) and synching via wi-fi is proving to take some doing.

So, I'm now wondering if synching between the two is the best way to go about it? Not only does it take a while, but it takes double the storage space too. That got me thinking, how do those NAS drives work? I'm using a router at home, would it be beneficial to get a NAS device and hook it up to my network? Then I could have one centralised store for my stuff and access it on both devices (or more) I think...?

Seems like a good idea in theory!

[Parm]

TiG, I'm still using SyncToy and though I've managed to sync ALL my files now, it seems to be re-synching some of the same files when I run it?

I noticed today I started the sync and it started to copy some MP3s from the laptop back onto the PC, overwriting the files that were already there. Any ideas what I may be doing wrong?

[0iD]

For a cheap NAS solution I use one of these http://www.usbnow.co.uk/External_Har...duct_info.html with a 500gb spinpoint & a small patch cable from the router.

[Chopper]

i too am in the same position mate, but i didnt like the look of the ms offering, there is a product from laplink that seems to look quite good, im going to give it a try tonight and see if it works, i have my personal lappy, work lappy and home computer to sync together and im interested in getting something to do a pucker job.

[Parm]

The NAS sollution seems to be the ideal route, in theory it should do everything I need.

0iD, do you notice much performance difference when using a NAS drive?

[0iD]

Very little tbh, there's no noticeable different to me than accessing data on an internal drive. I keep all my music, movies & photo's there, streams fine.

[Parm]

How does the NAS drive work mate, is it just mapped via explorer? That's what I really want, I don't want to have to use some third party software to access the drive.

[0iD]

That's how it works, shows up as a network drive in explorer.

[Parm]

Apologies for the 101 questions here 0iD but I've got another one for ya; how's the performance when you're asking your files remotely?

Am I right in thinking you can still access the NAS drive via the web when you're away from home? I'd need to do so from my laptop if possible.

[0iD]

If it's mounted on a port of your router you should be able to get to it. Personally I don't have need so I can't give you a definitive answer. Ask Moby, he knows everything

[nex52]

try PC anywhere last version i used was around 9. something thats about 7 years ago lol! but am sure they stayed in business it was very "avangardist"