Just got a call from a client

[StinkyPinky]

Update from OP please. I'm interested in what caused this.

 

[BZeto]

I HAVE contacted support with no response yet. They don't have a phone number, email support only.

Anyway, my best guess is it has something to do with NTUSER.DAT files included with the backup of the "Documents and Settings" folder. I know a drive wasn't cloned or anything since the original data is still located on Computer A. Except now Computer A is missing users and profiles and Computer B's user/profiles have replaced it. I can't think of anything else that would cause this, unless it's that shitty HP Recovery partition and tool kicking it... But in that case I would expect the whole drive C: to be a fresh XP install.

I ended up getting the clients computers back up to a operational state. Renamed computer, recreated the primary user account and consolidated all documents into the correct folders. Reinstalled programs and configured them again. This is a pain in the ass.

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky
Rather odd. You sure you set the settings correctly on the software? Seems weird that it would just spam shit onto a completely different PC for no reason.

Do they have their own IT guy?

My source and destination backup paths are clear-as-day conflict free. There isn't anything special I'm changing on the backup, just a normal incremental fast backup. Keep in mind that these backups ran successfully for TWO days before they had problems.

Before I left today I did change how Computer B is backed up. Instead of running the software on Computer B to copy files to Computer A... I set Syncback on Computer A to copy files to the flash drive directly from Computer B.. meaning no middle man folder on Computer A any more.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

or HE'S the idiot.

perhaps
syncback isn't going to copy a drive image of windows to another pc while its running thats for sure.

and it is a bit stupid to backup the second pc to a shared folder ...its so unnecessary when he already was using the flash drive idea..he should have implemented it there as well.

this method put $16 in his pocket by not providing a second thumb drive.

The 2nd PC has maybe 75MB of data. What's wrong with backing up over the network so all backups will be on the same drive? Theoretically it should work FINE. As far as saving money I knew going into this that the client wanted a low cost situation. I certainly am at fault for not at least presenting an alternative, more expensive solution and giving them proper warning. However I have no doubts that my 'cheap' solution for them is more than enough, I just ran into a serious glitch that I haven't figured out yet.

 

[tranceport]

You need Tivoli Storage Manager ASAP! 🙂

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

or HE'S the idiot.

perhaps
syncback isn't going to copy a drive image of windows to another pc while its running thats for sure.

and it is a bit stupid to backup the second pc to a shared folder ...its so unnecessary when he already was using the flash drive idea..he should have implemented it there as well.

this method put $16 in his pocket by not providing a second thumb drive.

The 2nd PC has maybe 75MB of data. What's wrong with backing up over the network so all backups will be on the same drive? Theoretically it should work FINE. As far as saving money I knew going into this that the client wanted a low cost situation. I certainly am at fault for not at least presenting an alternative, more expensive solution and giving them proper warning. However I have no doubts that my 'cheap' solution for them is more than enough, I just ran into a serious glitch that I haven't figured out yet.

you add an additional level of unreliability to save a few bucks...considering a 4gb flash drive is 10 bucks..u are really just scrimping to be silly. network pc share=unreliable..esp when its not a nas or server. all things backed to a single drive instead of two = less reliable. dumb decision when its work equipment and the cost is so low. potential of problems if one pc goes down or has drive unplugged etc goes way up when setting up such a pc to pc dependent backup solution. theres cheap..and theres stupid..and this is going too far. its fine if you are doing it for your own pc. but you add complexity and higher maintenance to save almost nothing iin this situation. when something goes wrong that savings disappears in a blink of an eye..just from the cost of paying you to come back, never mind work time lost. its just dumb. if they hired you on the cheap it looks like they got what they paid for.

 

[rasczak]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

or HE'S the idiot.

perhaps
syncback isn't going to copy a drive image of windows to another pc while its running thats for sure.

and it is a bit stupid to backup the second pc to a shared folder ...its so unnecessary when he already was using the flash drive idea..he should have implemented it there as well.

this method put $16 in his pocket by not providing a second thumb drive.

The 2nd PC has maybe 75MB of data. What's wrong with backing up over the network so all backups will be on the same drive? Theoretically it should work FINE. As far as saving money I knew going into this that the client wanted a low cost situation. I certainly am at fault for not at least presenting an alternative, more expensive solution and giving them proper warning. However I have no doubts that my 'cheap' solution for them is more than enough, I just ran into a serious glitch that I haven't figured out yet.

Never ever try to prove a "theory" on a production/work machine. that's what you have your test environment for aka: your own computer or one purchased by the customer. if you had tested this plan out before trying it on the lady's computer, you would probably come across the issue beforehand and not put your customer's work at risk.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: rasczak

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

or HE'S the idiot.

perhaps
syncback isn't going to copy a drive image of windows to another pc while its running thats for sure.

and it is a bit stupid to backup the second pc to a shared folder ...its so unnecessary when he already was using the flash drive idea..he should have implemented it there as well.

this method put $16 in his pocket by not providing a second thumb drive.

The 2nd PC has maybe 75MB of data. What's wrong with backing up over the network so all backups will be on the same drive? Theoretically it should work FINE. As far as saving money I knew going into this that the client wanted a low cost situation. I certainly am at fault for not at least presenting an alternative, more expensive solution and giving them proper warning. However I have no doubts that my 'cheap' solution for them is more than enough, I just ran into a serious glitch that I haven't figured out yet.

Never ever try to prove a "theory" on a production/work machine. that's what you have your test environment for aka: your own computer or one purchased by the customer. if you had tested this plan out before trying it on the lady's computer, you would probably come across the issue beforehand and not put your customer's work at risk.

yup if they were the type to maintain a kludgy solution they wouldn't need your help in the first place. you don't install unreliable setups on clients computers.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

or HE'S the idiot.

perhaps
syncback isn't going to copy a drive image of windows to another pc while its running thats for sure.

and it is a bit stupid to backup the second pc to a shared folder ...its so unnecessary when he already was using the flash drive idea..he should have implemented it there as well.

this method put $16 in his pocket by not providing a second thumb drive.

The 2nd PC has maybe 75MB of data. What's wrong with backing up over the network so all backups will be on the same drive? Theoretically it should work FINE. As far as saving money I knew going into this that the client wanted a low cost situation. I certainly am at fault for not at least presenting an alternative, more expensive solution and giving them proper warning. However I have no doubts that my 'cheap' solution for them is more than enough, I just ran into a serious glitch that I haven't figured out yet.

The problem is you are doing more then backing up. If the computers are identical that means that computer B is taking the backups of computer A and applying it.

If what I said is not true then some ghost must have done it or another tech.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
if they hired you on the cheap it looks like they got what they paid for.

i think i said that..and looks like i may be right.

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flash drive is fine, esp on the back of a pc. someone can lift your external drive anyways.
but a 3rd solution should be to backup to an online storage solution as well. double safety.

no way computer gets named the same unless some idiot cloned the drive..she's hiring some idiot behind your back.

perhaps in a small work enviorment or home. i just wouldnt use such a thing in a professional setting.


well i gues if its just one PC i soppose

 

[Shawn]

Maybe do a system restore?

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: BZeto
I'm so confused and I have a feeling that this backup software is to blame.

ok... so three questions:

(1) Have you ever used this backup software before? and in this configuration?
(2) if the answer is no... why did you use it? were you the lowest bidder on this 'job' and decided to go with some cheapshit program so you can make 'bank' on this job?
(3) Have you ever done a backup before in a SOHO environment? if not.. wtf would you start now? and on a law office? you know, if you fuck up.. they're gonna sue your ass. i hope you are set up as a LLC... otherwise they're gonna own your nutsack till ya die.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: BZeto
I'm so confused and I have a feeling that this backup software is to blame.

ok... so three questions:

(1) Have you ever used this backup software before? and in this configuration?
(2) if the answer is no... why did you use it? were you the lowest bidder on this 'job' and decided to go with some cheapshit program so you can make 'bank' on this job?
(3) Have you ever done a backup before in a SOHO environment? if not.. wtf would you start now? and on a law office? you know, if you fuck up.. they're gonna sue your ass. i hope you are set up as a LLC... otherwise they're gonna own your nutsack till ya die.

syncback not easy to blame. it has plenty of settings on how it makes decisions on which files to keep based on files being newer etc and exactly how to keep things in sync/overwriting/ignoring whatever, you set the rules. if you set it up wrong well its just going to do what you told it to do even if it means its restoring files its not supposed to.

 

[thescreensavers]

Maybe you install all that stuff on a computer that wipes its self everyday.