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Do You Backup or Synchronize?

I use an external hard drive to backup, no synchronize with my working hard drive. I never really liked what backup did in Windows. I had to go to another step to get to access my files again and I did not like that at all. Until today, I was not really aware that what I am doing is called synchronizing.

All I knew whas that it wasn't easy to find a program that did what I wanted it to do. I had found one called EZBack it up, but it does not seem to be updated any longer and is from 2004. As I am still on an XP it works. Then over the last week my backup hard drive has been acting up and today I just had to look into the problem and it seems to be on its last leg.

That got me thinking that there had to be a better way to do what I wanted. So I googled synchronize drives and lo and behold, Microsoft has a free program that does exactly that. It is call SyncToy 2.0 and works both in XP and Vista. It has an easy interface and works well. I did a small test and like it. I even found a tutorial on how to use SyncToy.

Now all I have to do go shopping for a new hard drive when weather clears, and I think I might get a free replacement for my current one as I had bought a 3 year extended warranty for it that will run out in July, lucky me.

I would like to know how others deal with their backups. Please leave me a comment. Thanks.
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Unknown said…
Well, I am have been having loads and loads of problems with my hard drive filling up SOOOO I went & got a external drive called a WD Passport Essential... Thinking I was getting just an external hard drive that I could just move all my pics and music over to... then I would just simply use 2 drives for my system. Well , what I ended up with is this drive that has this sync sofware on it... That after the first time I used it, went haywire... but nonetheless, I have no idea now what I am doing! now my hard drive on my comuter is full - i keep getting these horid messages --- you have 0 that's 0 megabytes left!!! I cannot figure out what to do, because as far as I caN UNDERSTAND.... NOW THE PASSPORT IS FULL TOO BECAUSE IT JUST KEEPS SYNCING MY HARD DRIVE -- (from what I understand, when it syncs, it errases itself, then recopies what I have on my hard drive?????? as I said --- I AM TOTALLY LOST!!!! to make a long story short -- now my hard dricve is full ... my passport is full... I need room & haven't the foggiest what to do???? can you help me?
March 8, 2009 at 1:50 AM
marliescohen said…
Wow Denise, that's a bummer. I think I know what has happened.

Synchronizing can be done in 3 different ways and I seems that you chose the true synchronize way. Here are the definitions from MS SyncToy for the 3 ways to synchronize:

Synchronize:
New and updated files are copied both ways. Renames and deletes on either side are repeated on the other.

Echo:
New and updated files are copied left to right (computer to external hard drive). Renames and deletes on the left are repeated on the right.

Contribute
New and updated files are copied left to right (computer to external hard drive). Renames on the left are repeated on the right. No deletions.

I chose to echo my files from my computer hard drive to my external hard drive. So that my external hard drive mirrors all the changes and deletes I have made on my computer.

Also I only synchronize data files not programs, that also saves space.

I suggest that you check your computer hard drive's files and look for what has to be there and then delete all the extra and double stuff. If you are not sure what is double you can always find a free program that shows all the files that you have double on your hard drive. Once your computer's hard drive is the way you want it, it time to look at your external hard drive. I would simply reformat it and then start with a fresh to setup of synchronizing again, but this time make sure to only echo your computer files on your external hard drive.

I don't know what program came with your drive, but there should be an option to echo files. So far I have had no problems with MS SyncToy. It is simple and free.

Hope this helps.

Marlies
March 8, 2009 at 9:18 AM
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