Autosync Data Backup?

[Keebler Elf]

I have a 1GB USB memory key/stick that gets a lot of use at work. As I've had them fail in the past, I back it up regularly. That involves copying the entire key to a hard drive and then burning stuff to CD, which takes up a fair bit of time.

Is there a way to autosync the transfer of data? Best case scenario would be that any file that has been updated overwrites the old file on the hard drive and stuff that hasn't been updated doesn't get copied.

Any ideas?

 

[MarkII]

Norton Ghost I believe will do this for you.

 

[jpf]

The difference between backup and autosync is that backup is only going in one direction whereas with autosync the changes can come from either source and must be merged. I think what you want to do is "just" backup which is simpler.

Any incremental or differential backup utility will backup only the changed files. If you are using Windows XP Pro it is builtin (look under system tools). XP Home has it on the installation CD (if you have one). However, it doesn't copy files but puts the whole backup into one big proprietary file.

I use Cobian backup (http://www.cobian.se) which is free and feature full and will just copy the changed files.

 

[baci2004]

I use back-up magic it works great.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Thanks Baci, that rocked! Normally it takes quite a while to transfer the data simply by copying from USB key to hard drive, but this program did it in 1-2 mins tops. I'm impressed!

 

[baci2004]

Thanks Baci, that rocked! Normally it takes quite a while to transfer the data simply by copying from USB key to hard drive, but this program did it in 1-2 mins tops. I'm impressed!

Your welcome, check your pm's.

 

[l69norm]

The difference between backup and autosync is that backup is only going in one direction whereas with autosync the changes can come from either source and must be merged. I think what you want to do is "just" backup which is simpler.....

Can't you use the XP "briefcase" to do the same thing? It will autosync files based on the file date and time.

 

[jpf]

Yes, briefcase will do that. But I've never heard of anyone being happy with the usability of that application.

Can't you use the XP "briefcase" to do the same thing? It will autosync files based on the file date and time.

 

[oldschool69]

Briefcase

XP Briefcase is a dog. However, from what i have seen in Vista, this is one of the benefits. The auto synch functionality is based on delta block ie very intelligent.

 

[Larry_Fyne]

Yes, briefcase will do that. But I've never heard of anyone being happy with the usability of that application.

I do the same thing with a memory stick and briefcase - it's simple, it works and it costs $0. It is also portable, I can edit a file on another machine and those changes make it back to the main machine.