Auto Backup

[pea33nut]

How can I auto backup mydocuments folder to a network drive. The guy before me did it for one of our employees but now she has a new computer and that feature is gone?

Thanks,

JN

 

[nweaver]

The backup utiltity in windows will do this...

or a batch file scheduled to run daily

or a perl script scheduled to run daily

other box may be linux with a cron job/shell script to mount the hard drive and back it up

the possibilities are endless

 

[pea33nut]

Where do I find the backup utility in Windows xp?

 

[nweaver]

in pro, it's in the programs->accessories-> system tools. In home, you have to extract it from the CD, I think (only used home about 2 times, never for backup stuff)

 

[GreyMittens]

Well either the native backup program and schedule it, or via a batch file that the scheduler can run.

something like

mybackup.bat

c:
cd\docume~1\admini~1\mydocu~1
xcopy *.* Z: /s /y


where admini~1 is your userid folder and Z: is the network drive, /s is all files and subdirectorys /y is don't prompt to over-write.

 

[nweaver]

The problem I have with that, is it's not so much a backup as it is a copy. There is a difference.

 

[GreyMittens]

Originally posted by: nweaver
The problem I have with that, is it's not so much a backup as it is a copy. There is a difference.

If you want to keep all your folder structure/files intact in one big file and catalogue over different dates, then yes, use the Windows Backup program in system tools to setup and schedule your jobs. (Full/differential etc.)

If you are serious about backing up however, at least so you have more recovery protection beyond restoring a deleted file - get serious backup such as a lto/dat drive etc. and keep your backups offsite, not just on a network drive. If your office burns down/floods etc. you're screwed. Any other method is just a jury-rigged attempt at backup.