When moving/copying files in XP - how do you verify them?

[twmonahan]

Oh the old days - when you would specify with DOS to verify ( /v )
copy or moving of files.

Now I use windows explorer (drag and drop). I'm continually moving
folder from one hard drive to another (and sometimes an external HDD)
for backup purposes.

I know the files I burn to DVD are verified (its an option in
Nero)...but when I'm just moving them around on HDDs - how do I know
they didn't get corrupted or diminish their integrity?

Is there a way to turn on "verify" in explorer? Is it already built-
in and happening without me knowing? Should I assume the NTFS
storage is enough and that my files are safe in transit and
afterwards.

Advice?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Oh the old days - when you would specify with DOS to verify ( /v )
copy or moving of files.

Now I use windows explorer (drag and drop). I'm continually moving
folder from one hard drive to another (and sometimes an external HDD)
for backup purposes.

I know the files I burn to DVD are verified (its an option in
Nero)...but when I'm just moving them around on HDDs - how do I know
they didn't get corrupted or diminish their integrity?

Is there a way to turn on "verify" in explorer? Is it already built-
in and happening without me knowing? Should I assume the NTFS
storage is enough and that my files are safe in transit and
afterwards.

Advice?

If you're serious about backing up your files then you should automate
the process in a batch file. It will give you several big advantages over
your current drag & drop method:
- The batch file will never forget which folders to back up.
- You can arrange it so that only new or modified files get backed up
so that unchanged files are skipped.
- You can verify the copy process
- You can create a log
- You can schedule the task to take place automatically