A friend wants to have a simple backup for her data which at present is less
than 1Gb
If she simply copies her data presumably she would have to delete the
previous backup before updating
This strikes me as being not very satisfactory.
Is there a simpler way without using specialised software?
Blair

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Sorry I meant Flash Memory
Blair
"bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1gu2$bn1$1@aioe.org...
>A friend wants to have a simple backup for her data which at present is
>less than 1Gb
> If she simply copies her data presumably she would have to delete the
> previous backup before updating
> This strikes me as being not very satisfactory.
> Is there a simpler way without using specialised software?
> Blair
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

In article <fi1h0h$bss$1@aioe.org>, bm <Darrach@aol.com> wrote:
>Sorry I meant Flash Memory
>Blair
>"bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1gu2$bn1$1@aioe.org... 
>



You need two or more flash keyfobs and rotate between them.

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Well, there is no need to delete the previous backup first. The new copies
will overwrite the older ones. But where the current files have deleted any
items, they will not be deleted in the copy, and here backup folder will
gradually grow and fill with older stuff.

Still, it is easy and fairly effective. Better would be to use two backup
folders and alternately use them, so that  the most recent backup is never
at risk.

Even easier it to download some fine freeware programs like Karen's
Replicator, which can be set to automatically make an exact copy of the
current files into a backup folder, including eliminating deletions. It is
free, installs easily, and runs in the background to a schedule she sets up.
It is non-intrusive, and she'll not even notice it running most times.

I'd still create two destination folders, and backup to the first
frequently, I do it hourly, while having the second less often, like daily
or weekly. It buys time in case you don't discover the problem within the
first hour, there is still an older copy in the second backup.

She can back up any folders she wishes, and store them in any drive she has
including flash drives.

Good luck.

--

Blessings & peace  --- Ray
"bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1gu2$bn1$1@aioe.org...
>A friend wants to have a simple backup for her data which at present is
>less than 1Gb
> If she simply copies her data presumably she would have to delete the
> previous backup before updating
> This strikes me as being not very satisfactory.
> Is there a simpler way without using specialised software?
> Blair
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

"Al Dykes" <adykes@panix.com> wrote in message
news:fi1hpd$bag$1@panix5.panix.com...
> In article <fi1h0h$bss$1@aioe.org>, bm <Darrach@aol.com> wrote: 
>
>
>
> You need two or more flash keyfobs and rotate between them.
>
Thanks for your comment.What a very simple solution!
Blair

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Thanks for your help.Your first solution looks fairly easy which is
important as she is a fairly new user
I looked at the software which looked straightforward but I think a bit
advanced for her at this stage but could be introduced later.
One point would you clarify that with both systems the data is in the
original form and not compressed?
Blair


"Wandering" <amore.dei@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fi1i53$d09$1@news.mixmin.net...
> Well, there is no need to delete the previous backup first. The new copies
> will overwrite the older ones. But where the current files have deleted
> any items, they will not be deleted in the copy, and here backup folder
> will gradually grow and fill with older stuff.
>
> Still, it is easy and fairly effective. Better would be to use two backup
> folders and alternately use them, so that  the most recent backup is never
> at risk.
>
> Even easier it to download some fine freeware programs like Karen's
> Replicator, which can be set to automatically make an exact copy of the
> current files into a backup folder, including eliminating deletions. It is
> free, installs easily, and runs in the background to a schedule she sets
> up. It is non-intrusive, and she'll not even notice it running most times.
>
> I'd still create two destination folders, and backup to the first
> frequently, I do it hourly, while having the second less often, like daily
> or weekly. It buys time in case you don't discover the problem within the
> first hour, there is still an older copy in the second backup.
>
> She can back up any folders she wishes, and store them in any drive she
> has including flash drives.
>
> Good luck.
>
> --
>
> Blessings & peace  --- Ray
> "bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1gu2$bn1$1@aioe.org... 
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Wandering wrote:

> Even easier it to download some fine freeware programs like Karen's
> Replicator,

Or Synctoy. It's a Microsoft freebie, and I've used it for exactly this
purpose.

Remember that flash drives have a limited life.

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

In article <1195665825.28044.0@demeter.uk.clara.net>,
Chris Bartram  <news@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote:
>Wandering wrote:
> 
>
>Or Synctoy. It's a Microsoft freebie, and I've used it for exactly this
>purpose.
>
>Remember that flash drives have a limited life.



And sh*t happens.  Any backup plan that doesn't include periodic
readback testing is doomed to screw you when you need it.

Name-brand flash drives should last for a long time, but any device
can fail at any time so you have to distruct everything.

You need several flash drives and use them in rotation and remember to
take one off-site, often.

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

None of the files are compressed or altered in any way. Sub folders are
copied along with contents. You can do as you wish with the copies, they are
just like the originals, and if dragged and dropped into the original folder
will overwrite it with the backup copy.  It's all pretty simple.

PS Karen's Replicator does not compress anything either.

--

Blessings & peace  --- Ray
"bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1mp0$16b$1@aioe.org...
> Thanks for your help.Your first solution looks fairly easy which is
> important as she is a fairly new user
> I looked at the software which looked straightforward but I think a bit
> advanced for her at this stage but could be introduced later.
> One point would you clarify that with both systems the data is in the
> original form and not compressed?
> Blair
>
>
> "Wandering" <amore.dei@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:fi1i53$d09$1@news.mixmin.net... 
>
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Thanks for your help. Much obliged
Blair
"Wandering" <amore.dei@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fi2674$mra$1@aioe.org...
> None of the files are compressed or altered in any way. Sub folders are
> copied along with contents. You can do as you wish with the copies, they
> are just like the originals, and if dragged and dropped into the original
> folder will overwrite it with the backup copy.  It's all pretty simple.
>
> PS Karen's Replicator does not compress anything either.
>
> --
>
> Blessings & peace  --- Ray
> "bm" <Darrach@aol.com> wrote in message news:fi1mp0$16b$1@aioe.org... 
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]