Simple Backup Solution

[merk66]

I am looking for a way to keep duplicate copies of certain folders on a second hard drive. I have XP home 32bit. What I want to do is have certain folders on drive C duplicated on drive D so that if drive C fails I have a copy of the files. Currently I am copying the folders everyday, but there has to be an easier way. I have looked into synchronize, but that seems to be strictly web page/internet related. Task Scheduler doesn't seem to have the ability, unless I just need to know how to work it. Am I destined to buy backup software to do what I want? Seems like a waste if I have to do that.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[MrLinux]

Write a batch file and run it from a schedule.

 

[MRFS]

> Am I destined to buy backup software to do what I want?


No. In Command Prompt aka DOS Windows,
use the XCOPY command e.g.:

D:\> XCOPY folder X:\folder /s/e/v/d

Where:

D: is your source data partition
X: is your backup data partition


You can also create an audit trail by using re-direction e.g.:

D:\> XCOPY folder X:\folder /s/e/v/d >log


If you just want to see what files WOULD change
but without making any changes, add the "/l" option e.g.:

D:\> XCOPY folder X:\folder /s/e/v/d/l


You can get help with XCOPY's other command line options
with "/?":

D:\> XCOPY /?

To save that help file, use re-direction again:

D:\> XCOPY /? >xcopy.help.txt


hope this helps



MRFS

 

[merk66]

> Am I destined to buy backup software to do what I want?


No. In Command Prompt aka DOS Windows,
use the XCOPY command e.g.:

D:\> XCOPY folder X:\folder /s/e/v/d

Where:

D: is your source data partition
X: is your backup data partition

hope this helps



MRFS

That helps a lot, but one more question. I may find the answer myself before you reply, but here goes anyway. How do I get xcopy to recognize a folder name with a space in it, like "My Documents".

Thanks again

 

[merk66]

Nevermind, I found out that you use quotation marks to do what I needed.

D:\> XCOPY "C:\Documents and Settings" "X:\Documents and Settings" /y/h/s/e/v/d/c

Thanks a million for turning me on to XCOPY!!