Backing up large file question

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My principal data files are mp3s of classical music. Currently, the file
"mp3 Files" is 64GB in size, and holds

240 subfolders--one for each composer. As you might guess, I frequently
modify this enormous file, adding compositions or replacing one version of a
piece with another. It's taken me 5 years to assemble this collection,
and, although it has no intrinsic value, it's important to me. I would hate
to lose it to a hard drive crash. Currently, I have it backed up to 17
DVDRW discs as well as a second hard drive. Here's the problem:

Compared to the size of the file, the changes I make are small. Copying the
entire 64 GB from one HD to the other is quite time consuming. Is there a
freeware program that will make the backup HD track the main one, examining
only the dates of the last modification and updating only those files that
have changed since the last update?

IOW, how would you handle this situation?

Thanks,

Norm Strong
 
leapt out of the bath and screamed "EUREKA!" before typing in
alt.comp.freeware:
My principal data files are mp3s of classical music. Currently,
the file "mp3 Files" is 64GB in size, and holds

240 subfolders--one for each composer. As you might guess, I
frequently
modify this enormous file, adding compositions or replacing one
version of a piece with another. It's taken me 5 years to
assemble this collection, and, although it has no intrinsic value,
it's important to me. I would hate to lose it to a hard drive
crash. Currently, I have it backed up to 17 DVDRW discs as well
as a second hard drive. Here's the problem:

Compared to the size of the file, the changes I make are small.
Copying the entire 64 GB from one HD to the other is quite time
consuming. Is there a freeware program that will make the backup
HD track the main one, examining only the dates of the last
modification and updating only those files that have changed since
the last update?

IOW, how would you handle this situation?

Thanks,

Norm Strong
Click to expand...

"Karen's Replicator"

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

HTH
 
På Thu said:
My principal data files are mp3s of classical music. Currently, the file
"mp3 Files" is 64GB in size, and holds
Click to expand...

Compared to the size of the file, the changes I make are small. Copying
the
entire 64 GB from one HD to the other is quite time consuming. Is there
a
freeware program that will make the backup HD track the main one,
examining
only the dates of the last modification and updating only those files
that
have changed since the last update?

IOW, how would you handle this situation?

Thanks,

Norm Strong
Click to expand...


SyncBack
http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html

Scroll down to the middle of the page.
 
My principal data files are mp3s of classical music. Currently, the
file "mp3 Files" is 64GB in size, and holds 240 subfolders--one for
each composer.
Click to expand...

I don't think you mean to use the word "file" the way you use it in your
post. "Folder" would be better I think, unless you really do mean "file",
which, if you do, then ignore this post.

I'd use SyncBack for backing up only changed files from one HD to the
other.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/ and make sure to look closely for the
freeware version.

HTH

--
Colonel Sanders: What the #$%# is this?
Darkhelmet: This is right now.
Colonel Sanders: Then when did the past happen?
Darkhelmet: A little while ago.
Colonel Sanders: Then when is the future?
Darkhelmet: *SOON*
 
My principal data files are mp3s of classical music. Currently, the
file "mp3 Files" is 64GB in size, and holds

240 subfolders--one for each composer. As you might guess, I
frequently
modify this enormous file, adding compositions or replacing one
version of a piece with another. It's taken me 5 years to assemble
this collection, and, although it has no intrinsic value, it's
important to me. I would hate to lose it to a hard drive crash.
Currently, I have it backed up to 17 DVDRW discs as well as a second
hard drive. Here's the problem:

Compared to the size of the file, the changes I make are small.
Copying the entire 64 GB from one HD to the other is quite time
consuming. Is there a freeware program that will make the backup HD
track the main one, examining only the dates of the last modification
and updating only those files that have changed since the last update?

IOW, how would you handle this situation?

Thanks,

Norm Strong
Click to expand...

Simple from a DOS window using the built in Xcopy. Use either the /D or
/M options. Type Xcopy /? for an explanation of all the options.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W]
[/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U]
[/K] [/N]

source Specifies the file(s) to copy.

destination Specifies the location and/or name of new files.

/M Copies files with the archive attribute set,
turns off the archive attribute.

/D:date Copies files changed on or after the specified date.
If no date is given, copies only those files whose
source time is newer than the destination time.

Or an external program called XXCOPY for even greater options.
http://www.xxcopy.com/index.htm
 
Simple from a DOS window using the built in Xcopy. Use either the /D or
/M options. Type Xcopy /? for an explanation of all the options.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W]
[/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U]
[/K] [/N]
Click to expand...


An inportant feature to look for in any software used for backing up, is
whether it can restore from a command line. Obviously, restoring files is
needed when your PC/diskdrive/OS crashes. In that case, you can often boot
the PC from a rescue dos, or simulated cmd type floppy. Some emergency
command lines, in the absence of windows can handle 32bits, and long file
names, and some cannot. At worst, one's restore command should be run-able
from a 16 bit command line, and you can restore long file names from some
list of short-to-long names you generate from appropriate software.
 
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