backup software for windows

[dcw@pr]

search function is down so I can't see if this has been discussed already. can anyone recommend a good piece of software that will allow me to schedule backups from one computer to a network location? thanks,

[mattley]

If that's really all you need, you could just write a .bat file and use windows scheduler.

[dcw@pr]

and how would one do such a thing?

[_dan_]

Open notepad, and write something such as

copy c:/anyfolder/blah z:/anyotherfolder/blahblah

Save it as whatever.bat

Where the "c:anyfolder" is the source and "z:anyotherfolder" is the destination (can be a mapped network drive)

Then use "scheduled tasks" program (in programs/accessories/system tools/) to schedule the batch file to run whenever you want.

Also, you could automate it so that it zips the files up.

If you explain a bit more what you need I'm sure we can help.

Edit: use backslashes not forward ones in the bat file. For some reason PH won't post backslashes.

>> Edited by _dan_ on Friday 24th March 20:18

[dcw@pr]

ok, it's very simple.

what i want to do is copy c:\Program Files\SageAccounts\ACCDATA to \\PRSERVER\PR Share\Sage Backup

so presumably I write "copy c:\Program Files\SageAccounts\ACCDATA \\PRSERVER\PR Share\Sage Backup" in the notepad file, and save as sage backup.bat?

I think ideally I would like the script to be run each time the computer is shut down. Is that possible to do so that is happens no matter which user is shutting down the computer, or will I have to make a script for each one?


>> Edited by dcw@pr on Friday 24th March 20:36

[dcw@pr]

i've made the script, but it says "cannot find the specified file" or somethign to that effect. how do i tell it to copy the whole folder?

[jamieboy]

You'd be better with 'xcopy' rather than just 'copy', and if you use the /s parameter it'll take subdirectories too. If you run 'xcopy /?' from a command prompt, it'll show you all the options.

[dcw@pr]

ok, i've got it to work on local disks, but when i try it to the networked disk i get a syntax error

[dcw@pr]

sorted that now too. the next problem that i can't find the answer to is how do i get it to automatically overwrite the destination files, without the "do you want to replace this file" prompt coming up?

and is it possible to run the .bat at shut down?

[225]

use the copy /Y function. if you do copy /? in a dos box it will give you options that you can use. You can run a batch file at shutdown if you use a Local policy, assuming its a W2K/XP machine.

[touchingcloth]

Sounds like you might nearly have this sorted but if not I just use this:

www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm


Various options built in and it's freeware. Specify location and set it to check for changes every hour/days/weeks etc and Robert's your mothers brother.

[dcw@pr]

225 said:

use the copy /Y function. if you do copy /? in a dos box it will give you options that you can use. You can run a batch file at shutdown if you use a Local policy, assuming its a W2K/XP machine.

d'oh! the /y command was right there in front of me, but for some reason i didn't see it

am using XP, don't know what you mean by local policy. Ideally I would like the task to run only on shutdown, and not for restarts?

[_dan_]

You can run the bat file as a shutdown script using the group policy editor (gpedit.msc)

Can't help with the actual details I'm afraid but sure someone can.....

[225]

Go to the run command and type mmc hit return
When the mmc box comes up go to file, add/remove snapin, clcik add, choose group policy, local computer and then click finish.
In the console root, got to Computer configuration then windows settings the scripts. DOuble click shutdown and add the script.

I would create a test script that does a single file copy somewheere just to test then use the real script.

[225]

Or thinking about it use windows backup under accessories/system tools. Batch file will work fine though.

[dcw@pr]

225 said:

Go to the run command and type mmc hit return When the mmc box comes up go to file, add/remove snapin, clcik add, choose group policy, local computer and then click finish. In the console root, got to Computer configuration then windows settings the scripts. DOuble click shutdown and add the script. I would create a test script that does a single file copy somewheere just to test then use the real script.

there is no snapin called "group policy". the closest is "Local users and groups" but if i try with this it says that it cannt be done using wondows XP home

[225]

ahh home edition does not contain group policy, I assumed you were using professional. There is a utility to run batch files at shutdown but its not free and I have never used it
www.jspayne.com/filearchiver/sdbatch.html

[dcw@pr]

ah well, i guesss i will be running it at startup. thanks anyway