Backup laptop files to PC

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coolmanyuvraj

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Dec 9, 2016
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Hi. I have a laptop and a quiet PC. The laptop only has 2 USB 3.0 ports in terms of data transfer (just keep that in mind). The PC has a multitude of ports (and I'm willing to get an adapter if needed even if it looks ugly on that end.
Now. I would like to achieve a setup such that when the laptop is connected (wired not wireless) to the PC (through a LAN adapter or whatever) at the desk, it wakes the PC from sleep and begins backing up certain files from the laptop onto the PCs 3TB HDD. The files on the PCs HDD should also be viewable from the laptop (plz any geniuses out there)
Windows 10 on both machines. One is a Lenovo ThinkCentre (idk what model eek) and the other is a Lenovo Yoga 710 14ISK
I am competent in working with advanced features and stuff and can install Windows Server or some other OS if need be (on the PC.)

EDIT:
Some stuff clearly needs clarifying...

Scenario:

I would like to have a PC at my desk all the time, hidden away somewhere with a cable (LAN or USB you tell me) running from it into a USB 3.0 hub. This hub also has other peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse and phone dock attached (just convenience that's it)
When I get home, I pull out my laptop from my bag, set it to a specific power setting (so it doesn't turn off) and close the lid. The USB hub and HDMI out are plugged in and now everything is connected. The mountain of data (family photo archives, a crapload of documents from previous years etc;) on the 3TB HDD from the PC is now available for me to use. Also, any documents that need backing up (i.e. put in a specific folder on the laptop's SSD) are backed up in the background. When I am done at my desk, or need to go somewhere else, I pull out the USB and HDMI out (safely remove if I really need to :spamafote: ) and then move to where I need to be, assuming all backups and stuff have been done. The laptop <-> PC connection must not be wireless. I also have a HP Proliant Microserver if that's handier although have no clue on how to set that up. It doesn't have any OS on it right now.

The wake-on-connection is not necessary, but would be convenient. I kind of understand magic packets.

1) How would one go about setting up the USB/other cable to achieve aforementioned functionality?
2) Is there anything that I haven't taken into consideration (don't kill me pls)

Thank you so much for your help :)
 
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Herc08

Herc08

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Aug 6, 2016
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So, you want to connect both the desktop and computer together, and when the computer is connecting it wakes up the laptop? That seems a bit complex.

Why not just create a homegroup since they will both be on the same network. Then map a drive to your PC (this drive will connect to the laptop). And then run an scheduled backup. For this to happen, both computers must be connected to the network at the same time.
 
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corroded

corroded

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Sep 5, 2011
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I use a tool called GoodSync, it can be run for free initially, IF you have the destination shared correctly on the PC, you can set the Laptop to run the backup on a timed basis. It will look for the connection on the network for the PC on that schedule. If it is not there, it times out and resets the timer. Once "seen" it connects with the username and password you set and then does a compare between the Source and Destination and copies files.

Works great, It is how I keep my Laptop backed up onto my NAS. I also use it on
 
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jsmithepa

jsmithepa

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Jun 14, 2014
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Access to other PC HD on the LAN is done everyday, Windows' parlance: File sharing.

Just place your desktop to sleep on idle.

Program your backup program to send a Magic Packet to desktop to wake it up at the beginning of the backup procedure.

Now what backup app to use is up to you.
 
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Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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There is built-in Windows feature called "Off-line files".
- share a folder on your PC for laptop files, and copy them here.
- On your laptop map that folder as a drive letter, eg H:, mark the folder as "Available offline', and use that location to work with your files
- once in a while (or on schedule, depending on how you've setup your off-line files in the "Control Panel"), all the changes will be synced, both ways (that is, if you modify them on the PC, changes will be synched with the laptop)
 
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coolmanyuvraj

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Dec 9, 2016
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Okay a bit of clarification:
My laptop only has 256GB of internal storage
My PC has a 3TB hard drive
When the laptop is docked on the desk, it should wake up the PC and then the PCs hard drive should be viewable as an external hard drive of some kind on the laptop for me to access my less frequently accessed files (phots, music, sample packs, archives etc;)
I want to avoid going on the network as this is
a) slower even if you go for a LAN connection
b) uses up traffic on a shared network. I don't want to be hogging all the traffic and there to be barely anything left for my family :)
 
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Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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Did you read any of the answers given?

Apart from waking the PC (you should do it manually), everything else is done the moment your laptop connects (over WiFi, or over Ethernet) to your home network. You're not the first one who needs to copy files between two computers. And unless your home network is being run by turtles, that traffic won't prevent your family to watch YouTube.
 
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jsmithepa

jsmithepa

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Jun 14, 2014
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That's why backups are scheduled in the middle of the night, when everybody is asleep then you don't care how much longer or taking up resources, but I sense this breaks what you have in mind.
 
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coolmanyuvraj

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Dec 9, 2016
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First of all, yes, I can read English and so will naturally read any potential answers to a question that I have asked.
Secondly, I want it to happen over USB or a USB-LAN adapter only when I am at the desk (not always at a regular time - I am a bit flexible in terms of where and when I choose to do my work.)
Thirdly, I am aware that there have been numerous people before me who require the ability to replicate or move data. I just want the computers hard drive viewable in the explorer when the cable is plugged in and have no clue which one of the many windows settings allw for this setup.
Fourthly (?), of course, I hear that turtles are becoming the preferred wireless data transfer technology in households across the UK and across the world - but I am not a part of this movement. Call me an oldie.
Fifthly (?again), I want to be able to use my WiFi connection to its full ability without a crapload of files going from my machine to the router to the PC eating up the bandwidth allocated to me for downlading and uploading other stuff of sorts.

The internet's a sarcastic place, right?:)
 
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Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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There are tons of tutorials how to set Windows networking at home. Modern Windows versions (you did not care to mention what versions you have on your laptop, and your desktop) have something called "Home group", where all this is kind of obfuscated for ease of use. All you need to do is to map your backup folder on the desktop PC as a drive letter on your laptop. Feel free to start a new thread (with details as needed) if you need hand-holding there.

USB-to-Ethernet adapters are quite common, so you should be able to configure one of these to be used for connection to the desktop. As someone suggested, you can even have dedicated cable between them (but in that case you have to set this network with "manual" settings).

Finally - spend some of your time, and try some of the backup methods already suggested. You, and only you, are the judge here.
 
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coolmanyuvraj

Commendable
Dec 9, 2016
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Right. Point understood. I guess I'll just spend a few hours with HomeGroup and tinker till I find what I want.
Cheers for the time and effort though. Have a nice day :)

P.S. Windows Version = 10, Ann. update
 
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