Help with backing up files on Vista

[Sesame]

The problem ive got is one of the guys I work with knows less about computers than I do(which aint alot) but he really has a problem with directories and backing stuff up.

he insists on having all his data on the c drive,but when the computer dies on him as it often does(cos hes a K***) then I get it in the neck because he has lost all his data, so what I want to do is backup all his files on his c drive to the Server, any idea on the best way of doing this, preferably automatic.

[xygax]

from the root directory make a batch file called backup

xcopy *.* W:/backup \s

copies all files and folders from local (c) drive to W drive a directory and the S means do subdirectorys as well

Thats assuming dos commands still work (they did on xp)

Steve

[Sesame]

Im just not used to using Vista,. Thanks steve I did think of that one, im trying at the moment to use another backup utility, but it looks clumsy

There is supposed to be an option called "always available online" in everything Ive read you just right click and select it as an option and hey presto, the directory is available and syncs next time its plugged into the server, only problem is the option is not available on this machine, maybe our server software is the wrong version, anyone know about this option

[rceccleston]

[quote=Sesame;231161]The problem ive got is one of the guys I work with knows less about computers than I do(which aint alot) but he really has a problem with directories and backing stuff up.

he insists on having all his data on the c drive,but when the computer dies on him as it often does(cos hes a K***) then I get it in the neck because he has lost all his data, so what I want to do is backup all his files on his c drive to the Server, any idea on the best way of doing this, preferably automatic.[/quote]
Simply map another drive letter to a share on the file server and change the path of the 'my docs' to this letter. Tell him to use 'My docs'.

Alternatively, create a shortcut. Move his folders from the 'c' drive to the file server, create a shortcut on his 'c' drive to these folders with the same file names as the folders. He'll see the same names, click on them and be redirected to the server, done it many a time... lol

Good luck!!

[Dannyyy]

Same here im not use to using vista so i got a Seagate Extrenal hard drive its 80gigs and was about £35 from ebay "brand new".
So now i shall never lose a episode of LOST.

[rceccleston]

[quote=Dannyyy;231205]Same here im not use to using vista so i got a Seagate Extrenal hard drive its 80gigs and was about £35 from ebay "brand new".
So now i shall never lose a episode of LOST.[/quote]
Please note, there is a single disc in the external USB caddy which is still prone to disc failure.

For redundancy, you can purchase NAS (network attached storage) devices which have multiple discs. These can be configured to mirror or stripe the discs.

Mirroring will protect you against disc failure while striping will nearly double the throughput/bandwidth.

Good luck!!

[Twister3D]

If you have "Vista ultimate" it has its own backup facility.
goto "control panel" "system/maintenance" "back up your computer"
you have the choice to back up files or the whole computer to disk.
Its so easy and it does it on the fly, no need to shut down or anything.
I have used it loads, and to restore you just boot up into repair mode and go from there.

[Stuart]

Have a go with this [URL="http://www.iware-uk.com/"]http://www.iware-uk.com/ [/URL]

I know the person who built it

[Made2Fade]

Tony if it were me id go with rceccleston's first post, very easy to do and nothing will need to change for your mate (with regards to where he saves stuff). He simply saves his stuff to My documents/or his usual folder. All you have to do is change the location to an already mapped drive on the server. Manually copy whats in his folder to the server the first time and every time he saves something afterwards it will actually be on the server (and not in his folder like it will look like to him). Id then just maybe back the server drive up every now and then.

Cheers
Lee

[Sesame]

cheers guys.

Part of the problem is he works on the files offline so what ive done for now is im using the vista backup set to backup his files daily at 1800 the backup utility looks fairly good as it scans and only backsup new or changed files, i'll see how that works.

[rceccleston]

[quote=Sesame;231983]cheers guys.

Part of the problem is he works on the files offline so what ive done for now is im using the vista backup set to backup his files daily at 1800 the backup utility looks fairly good as it scans and only backsup new or changed files, i'll see how that works.[/quote]
If he works offline, i.e. a laptop, simply moves the files to the server and use Windows working offline feature. This will allow selected files and folders to be available offline when disconnected from the server and synchronize them automatically when he reconnects. Speaking as a qualified Microsoft professional.

Good Luck!!

[Sesame]

[quote=rceccleston;232095]If he works offline, i.e. a laptop, simply moves the files to the server and use Windows working offline feature. This will allow selected files and folders to be available offline when disconnected from the server and synchronize them automatically when he reconnects. Speaking as a qualified Microsoft professional.

Good Luck!![/quote]

I was looking to use that feature only the option is missing off of the menu options and I cant find out how to initialise it, I HATE VISTA!!!

[rceccleston]

[quote=Sesame;232583]I was looking to use that feature only the option is missing off of the menu options and I cant find out how to initialise it, I HATE VISTA!!![/quote]
Their is a 'working offline' applet in control panel to administrator the feature.

Once enabled, check server has caching enabled on selected share and then right folder on Vista PC to enable caching.

Good luck!!