automated data backup between partitions

[Wigwam]

as discussed elsewhere, i am planning a reformat anfd then setting up my machine thus:
C: OS/Apps [primary NTFS]
D: Data [extended NTFS]
E: Backups/Ghost images [primary FAT32]

as well as using E: to write to and store Ghost images, if possible i wold also like to do the following:
i have research on my machine [that will be stored on folders in D:]. is it possible to have a backup of particular folders stored on E: and automated such that when i do more work, the changes are updated to my backed-up copy on E:?

is it a particularly involved process and is is better done using XP commands or 3rd party software?

thanks

 

[deepakvrao]

Check out thissoftware. Its free and works great.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

 

[eklass]

you could also make a simple batch file and schedule it to run with task scheduler

 

[Wigwam]

uuummm....i'm afraid i have never written a batch file and wouldnt know how to!

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: Wigwam
uuummm....i'm afraid i have never written a batch file and wouldnt know how to!

If you know how to use the copy command from the command line you can create a batch file. Batch files are probably the most basic form of scripting in Windows.

 

[Wigwam]

rub it in why dont you.
i havent done any scripting; messing with my pc is a hobby....

 

[Zucarita9000]

You can also check out SecondCopy 2000. Lightweight, easy to use yet very useful. I use it a lot to make daily backups to my external HDD.

 

[mikecel79]

I'm not trying to rub it in. Just pointing out that you probably already have the necessary skills to create a batch file. A sample one would look like this

@echo off
copy d:\original\*.* e:\backup
copy d:\original1\*.* e:\backup

Or you can get more creative by using the xcopy command

@echo off
xcopy /s /d /i d:\folder1 e:\folder1

You can do xcopy /? on the command prompt to see all it's switches.

See batch files aren't tough.

 

[eklass]

Originally posted by: mikecel79
See batch files aren't tough.

my suggestion of batch files was that they're easy to use, fully cutomizable (copy a single file or multiple directories), completely free, and no additional overhead!

as simple as they are, they're a great backup solution

 

[Wigwam]

damn boys - you are right i am comfortable with using those commands [takes me back to yeah oldie DOS days].

btw i cant remember - what does the @echo off line do?

and thanks!

 

[Wigwam]

something else just occured to me:
is it possible to make that FAT32 images/backup partition [semi] hidden in My computer?

my machine is used by family also and i would prefer [if possible] that they do not have the option of installing anything to it [even by accident] but obviously not hidden so that i cant "see" it either.

how could i do this?

 

[eklass]

"@echo off" causes the commands you typed in not to be echo'd out (but any messages windows spits back will be)

as far as hiding a drive/partition - i've not needed it and not run into how to do it without use of third-party programs
although, now that i think about it, you should be able to right-click the drive in My Computer and set permissions (security) on it if everyone has a different login (assumming you're using Win2K or WinXP)

 

[imported_Homerr]

Also, thinking back to using DOS.....I think he will have to name the file with a .bat extension, e.g. backup.bat, which would be the file that Task Manager would run.