xcopy and potential problems?

[Sam]

I was doing some backup reading on xcopy (preparing to back up my work,
papers, research data, etc.) when I came across this page:
http://navasgrp.home.att.net/tech/clone_copy.htm#XCOPY

Just wanted to know if the problems mentioned in the webpage exist in
Windows XP and Windows 2000 as well. If yes, I will use some other
method. If no, then are there any other potential problems in using
xcopy for backingu pdata that I need to be careful about?

thanks,
Sam.

 

[David H. Lipman]

Try; Robocopy

It is more advanced than XCopy. It can even preserve NTFS permissions.

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6700/rh6705.htm

--
Dave




|
| I was doing some backup reading on xcopy (preparing to back up my work,
| papers, research data, etc.) when I came across this page:
| http://navasgrp.home.att.net/tech/clone_copy.htm#XCOPY
|
| Just wanted to know if the problems mentioned in the webpage exist in
| Windows XP and Windows 2000 as well. If yes, I will use some other
| method. If no, then are there any other potential problems in using
| xcopy for backingu pdata that I need to be careful about?
|
| thanks,
| Sam.
| --
| Please remove the underscores ( the '_' symbols) from my email address
| to obtain the correct one. Apologies, but the fudging is to remove spam.

 

[Jack Gillis]

For what it is worth, I have used xcopy in a batch file under XP SP2 for
along time to back up and restore my data. It has never let me down.

 

[Bill Bradshaw]

I was doing some backup reading on xcopy (preparing to back up my
work, papers, research data, etc.) when I came across this page:
http://navasgrp.home.att.net/tech/clone_copy.htm#XCOPY

Just wanted to know if the problems mentioned in the webpage exist in
Windows XP and Windows 2000 as well. If yes, I will use some other
method. If no, then are there any other potential problems in using
xcopy for backingu pdata that I need to be careful about?

Take a look at XXCOPY:

XXCOPY is simply a logical extension to XCOPY. It remains
faithfully compatible with XCOPY in the invocation syntax,
yet, adds many innovative features to be a very serious
utility for anyone who feels comfortable in managing files
in command line mode (DOS Box). XXCOPY has grown to be not
just a file copy program but also a file removal, search and
list utility. Its short name preserving capability makes it
ideal to clone a system disk which can be made bootable.
XXCOPY runs under Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP and comes with a
16-bit version XXCOPY16 which allows copying files in DOS
envrionment using short name only (to be later expanded to
long name). You may also use it for synchronizing systems.
In short, it is an industrial strenth utility for system
administrators.

http://www.xxcopy.com

There is also a support group at (e-mail address removed)

 

[Sam]

Apparently, _Sam_, on 22/02/05 12:27,typed:

I was doing some backup reading on xcopy (preparing to back up my work,
papers, research data, etc.) when I came across this page:
http://navasgrp.home.att.net/tech/clone_copy.htm#XCOPY

Just wanted to know if the problems mentioned in the webpage exist in
Windows XP and Windows 2000 as well. If yes, I will use some other
method. If no, then are there any other potential problems in using
xcopy for backingu pdata that I need to be careful about?

thanks,
Sam.

Okay, I have experimented a bit with the command and it seems to have
worked fine ... for now at least. I used these, just in case,:
Xcopy "C:\data\Source Folder\*.*" "G:\BACKUP\*.*" /F/S/D/Y/E/K/N

BTW, why do I need to have that "*.*" have to mention the folder names?
Supposed I have "source folder" to copy to "G:" and that "G:\source
folder" already exists. Why doesn't this work:
Xcopy "C:\data\Source Folder" "G:\" /F/S/D/Y/E/K/N

This just copies the contents of "source folder" into "G:" and not in
"G:\source folder".


Secondly, even though I managed to make the command work, I also came
upon this:
http://www.uv.tietgen.dk/staff/mlha/PC/Soft/DOS/xcopy.htm
Pay special attention to the section '"But! But! You're Wrong! It Does
Work, I Did It Myself!".'

Sam.

 

[Don Taylor]

Apparently, _Sam_, on 22/02/05 12:27,typed:

Okay, I have experimented a bit with the command and it seems to have
worked fine ... for now at least. I used these, just in case,:
Xcopy "C:\data\Source Folder\*.*" "G:\BACKUP\*.*" /F/S/D/Y/E/K/N

BTW, why do I need to have that "*.*" have to mention the folder names?
Supposed I have "source folder" to copy to "G:" and that "G:\source
folder" already exists. Why doesn't this work:
Xcopy "C:\data\Source Folder" "G:\" /F/S/D/Y/E/K/N

This just copies the contents of "source folder" into "G:" and not in
"G:\source folder".

Secondly, even though I managed to make the command work, I also came
upon this:
http://www.uv.tietgen.dk/staff/mlha/PC/Soft/DOS/xcopy.htm
Pay special attention to the section '"But! But! You're Wrong! It Does
Work, I Did It Myself!".'

Google for xxcopy and read what the author of that has to say.
He isn't selling anything but he has LOTS of experiences with
the deep details of xcopy, long filenames, disk cloning, etc.

 

[Jeffrey Randow (MVP)]

I second Robocopy... I use it create an offsite backup at my office
(on a portable hard drive)...

---
Jeffrey Randow (Network MVP)

Remote Networking Technology FAQ -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
My Networking Blog: http://www.networkblog.net
MS Network Community -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/community/centers/networking/default.mspx
MS Home Networking Community -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/communities/wireless.mspx