Need example of backing up disk....

[jim]

I'd like to get some .net sample code that shows me how to make a complete
backup of a hard drive (like my C: drive) to another location (say my D:
drive) while the C: drive is in use.

Basically, I'd like to make and give away free backup software because
Acronis has given me so many problems.

Any help or links you could provide would be greatly appreciated. (Please
include your name to be added to the credits screen in the free
application.)

jim

 

[Cor Ligthert[MVP]]

Jim,

I don't think that any version of VB is the right programma language, as in
fact not any managed language.

Maybe raw C can help you or otherwise Intel Assembler.

Just my opinion,

Cor

 

[Smokey Grindel]

So you want to make software that you do not know how to make to be better
then Acronis which is actually relatively stable? im so lost on your logic..

 

[Ben white]

Jim,

I don't think that any version of VB is the right programma language, as in
fact not any managed language.

Maybe raw C can help you or otherwise Intel Assembler.

Just my opinion,

Cor

Cor -
IMHO the appropriate language is the language the programmer choses to
do the application in. VB isn't inherently wrong and C isn't
inherently right. Yes he wants to back things up [IO intensive and
Richter puts that whole issue to bed, along with the simple sense of
how the different paradigms get executed] but I doubt that is the only
requirement. Right language is decided in the totality of the design
and in consideration of all the requirements. (His first stated
requirement is vengeance - that is a language agnostic goal) There
were C neanderthals who said I couldn't do a "real-time" app in VB.
Done, delivered and still being used by a major manufacturing
organization to handle toxic chemicals. Once the definitions were
understood it met and exceeded all requirements. Cutting to the
chase, language snobbery doesn't elevate the art of programming which
is how I see these forums. Answering the question as Peter did does.

Jim -

I recently finished a utlity that handles backing up things in a very
simplistic manner as you seem to be asking. I did it using the
facilities Peter described, I also took a couple of ideas from another
Site (Code Project) and use a pie chart as a progress bar just for
giggles. Motivation is good but have some fun along the way.

 

[Cor Ligthert[MVP]]

Ben,

This has nothing to do with preference, as you want to make a complete
immage of a drive, despite of all security options, despite of what is
happening in that time, then you have to use software that is not running on
the OS level.

Just my opinion.

Cor

Jim,

I don't think that any version of VB is the right programma language, as
in
fact not any managed language.

Maybe raw C can help you or otherwise Intel Assembler.

Just my opinion,

Cor

Cor -
IMHO the appropriate language is the language the programmer choses to
do the application in. VB isn't inherently wrong and C isn't
inherently right. Yes he wants to back things up [IO intensive and
Richter puts that whole issue to bed, along with the simple sense of
how the different paradigms get executed] but I doubt that is the only
requirement. Right language is decided in the totality of the design
and in consideration of all the requirements. (His first stated
requirement is vengeance - that is a language agnostic goal) There
were C neanderthals who said I couldn't do a "real-time" app in VB.
Done, delivered and still being used by a major manufacturing
organization to handle toxic chemicals. Once the definitions were
understood it met and exceeded all requirements. Cutting to the
chase, language snobbery doesn't elevate the art of programming which
is how I see these forums. Answering the question as Peter did does.

Jim -

I recently finished a utlity that handles backing up things in a very
simplistic manner as you seem to be asking. I did it using the
facilities Peter described, I also took a couple of ideas from another
Site (Code Project) and use a pie chart as a progress bar just for
giggles. Motivation is good but have some fun along the way.

 

[jim]

Admitting that I \have never written backup software, I have written many
hundreds of applications in VB, VB.Net and some older languages like Turbo
Pascal.

In asking for the source code, I was hoping to accomplish 2 main things.
(1) To learn more about a process than I currently know and (2) get a head
start on the project.

As for you r ability to follow the logic therein.....well, you can do what
you can do.

jim

 

[jim]

He said he wants to back up the disk while it's in use. No imaging
utility is going to do that. You need to be able to lock the whole disk
to make an image. No sane person would try to image a disk _while_ the
data on that disk is being modified, and at least for the moment I'm going
to assume that the OP is sane (I don't see anything in the headers to
suggest he's posting from a psychiatric ward ).

I will leave it to others to judge my sanoty.

But, as for your statements about what is possible, you are mistaken. When
Acronis True Image works as it should, it backs up everything on the whole
partition. That includes OS files even while the OS is in use. It runs
from Windows and backs up Windows as it is runnig from within the OS.

The problem that I am having with it presently isn't backing things up as
much as it not deleting old copies as it should when the drive being used
for backups is filled. The software supposedly does this, but I am having
problems on a great many PCs using this feature.

Talking to Acronis is difficult at best and is just an exercise in
frustration. So, getting them to fix the issue is not very likely.

Hence, I'd like to make a simple app that backs up the entire drive (even
while in use - if they do it, it can be done) to another location and delete
old copies when the destination location is too full to accept a new image.

Acronis TrueImage 11 says it does those things, but I can show you 10 or 20
PCs where it does not work as advertised.

I am tired of trying to contact a living breathing person at Acronis (seems
they really dont give a fvck about you after the sale) and I'd like to give
away my app to keep more people from falling prey to Acronis' promises that
it can't back up.

Thanks again!

jim

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

But, as for your statements about what is possible, you are mistaken. When
Acronis True Image works as it should, it backs up everything on the whole
partition. That includes OS files even while the OS is in use. It runs
from Windows and backs up Windows as it is runnig from within the OS.

Most operating systems has low level calls to read files even
though they are in use.

But there are not much point. Unless it is a log based file
system, then the open files can be be corrupt/inconsistent
in the created image.

And no - NTFS is not a real log based file system.

Arne

 

[Ben white]

Hate to see a person without help when they ask. Can you give me some
idea of where you are and where your "blind spots" are?

 

[jim]

Hate to see a person without help when they ask. Can you give me some
idea of where you are and where your "blind spots" are?

I am wondering how to back up in-use files. I am currently looking into
using Windows Shadow Copy service - but that will only work if it is
installed and endabled. Perhaps there is a way for me to install or enable
it if it is not enabled.....still looking.

Thanks!

 

[kimiraikkonen]

I am wondering how to back up in-use files. I am currently looking into
using Windows Shadow Copy service - but that will only work if it is
installed and endabled. Perhaps there is a way for me to install or enable
it if it is not enabled.....still looking.

Thanks!

Jim,
If your intention is to programme through Volume Shadow Copy Service,
you shouldn't worry about the service's running status, you can
start / stop or query status using servicecontroller component in your
toolbox:

' Check status and start if service is not running:
' First set ServiceName property to "VSS"
' srvcontroller is your component name here
If Not srvcontroller.Status =
ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus.Running Then
srvcontroller.Start()
End If

Hope this makes sense,

Onur Güzel