backup hard drive (Page 2): I use SynchBack to copy files from one drive to another. I have been using it for about 10 years with no problems. I also use it to update files and file...

photoman43

I use SynchBack to copy files from one drive to another. I have been using it for about 10 years with no problems. I also use it to update files and file folders already copied using a Mirror Update. My files are NOT COMPRESSED with this backup software.

There is a free version and a paid version. Go here to learn ore about it. Read and understand how to do Full Backup and Mirror Backups.

https://www.2brightsparks.com/

https://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/compare-simple.html

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Yep, once you’ve had a restore fail... Those events are often accompanied by dozens of people going home, unable to work, panic with a room full of worried admins, CIO and SEs from the backup SW and storage company, the salespeople involved, and if unsuccessful, the “resignation” of the CIO and admin(s) involved. Not a pretty picture. Maybe you can tell that I’ve seen it up close and personal.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

farwest wrote:

I bought another hard drive to backup my photos from the first backup drive so I would have two copies. What is the best way to copy to the other drive? Can I do it in Windows Explorer or should I use cloning software?

I use an external connected Hard Drive Dock in addition to a RAID. This dock will take full size HDs and laptop has. They are in 1 or 2 drive versions. You mount the drive, reformat as necessary and then drag and drop. Essentially it is another HD on your computer.

Search for "drive dock" on Google and you will find many options. They "just work" although not as fast as an internal drive.

tomc601 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I use GoodSync. You can get it free which works fine or you can upgrade. I think I paid $29 for the upgrade. You can sync the entire drive or down to folder level. I've been very pleased with it.
https://www.goodsync.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAxeX_BRASEiwAc1QdkTWeMXVbbu5qO5BE5jvK6qxsEPnkkJRm9MRqWyutenCmVCuP0868jBoCToQQAvD_BwE

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

bweber wrote:

I use Carbon Copy Cloner to back up my images from one drive to another. < snip >

This, on my Mac, for the reasons listed. It lets you specify when the backups occur (mine are all between 3 and 6AM) and where they should go. I back up photos to two different external drives, and documents (which is everything else, on my machine) to a third external drive. I can also select subfolders NOT to back up. I use it as a file copying service, but it can also do image copies.

There are probably a dozen similar choices for Windows boxes.

Any of them will take a bit of study to figure out how to set them up to do what YOU want them to do. So before you start, it helps to have a solid plan of just exactly what files/folders you want to to place where.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Interesting observation - Ask 100 people how they backup and you'll get 100 different answers.
None right, none wrong, just different methodologies, each working for the respective user.
Some more cumbersome, some less.
The point is, do some kind of BACKUP! One that works for you.

photoman43

Longshadow wrote:

Interesting observation - Ask 100 people how they backup and you'll get 100 different answers.
None right, none wrong, just different methodologies, each working for the respective user.
Some more cumbersome, some less.
The point is, do some kind of BACKUP! One that works for you.

YES; How you do the backup is not as important as making sure you do them--all the time. I triple backup all of my images.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

farwest wrote:

I bought another hard drive to backup my photos from the first backup drive so I would have two copies. What is the best way to copy to the other drive? Can I do it in Windows Explorer or should I use cloning software?

I think you should get cloning software. If you are organizing your main picture folder and you purposely delete 186 files, when you clone those files will be deleted from the backup drive too. Not what you get with drag and drop. If you have folders on your main photo drive that never change (86,223 photos of stage shows) I don't need these checked every time I back up. They are already well backed up. I tell my cloner program not to bother with those. Also, cloning with a program is so easy. Open program, chose chore, click start. It takes me about five seconds to start my backup, or I could program it to happen automatically. No dragging and dropping or choosing files. Two clicks and go eat dinner. Nothing is compressed. This just duplicates my organization files. Lightroom is on a different drive and is backed up to a different hard drive. All Easy, Peasy.
...Cam

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

farwest wrote:

I bought another hard drive to backup my photos from the first backup drive so I would have two copies. What is the best way to copy to the other drive? Can I do it in Windows Explorer or should I use cloning software?

Look at Beyond Compare at https://scootersoftware.com. It isn't cloning software.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

farwest wrote:

I bought another hard drive to backup my photos from the first backup drive so I would have two copies. What is the best way to copy to the other drive? Can I do it in Windows Explorer or should I use cloning software?

Windows Explorer "Drag and Drop." Works every time.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

In order for my local backups to stay current, I use a backup program (app) on my PC. It is SyncBack by Firetrust. There is a free version which is smart enough to only copy files to the backup that are not there or newer than than the ones that are already there. This speeds up the update process dramatically. It is run in the background unattended (automatically) and you can specify how often. It can do a backup or a synchronization. It can distinguish between drives.

I also backup to the cloud using Amazon Photo (free with Prime) and Carbonite.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CamB wrote:

I think you should get cloning software. If you ar... (show quote)

Does your cloning program append the <last> backup or put changed files in a new place?

For me, copying everything for a backup gives me a complete independent backup each time. I don't have to go but one place for any of the files. I use a batch file where I just give it the backup date and destination. Only takes moments to start.
(101 ways...

)

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Longshadow wrote:

Does your cloning program append the <last> backup or put changed files in a new place?

For me, copying everything for a backup gives me a complete independent backup each time. I don't have to go but one place for any of the files. I use a batch file where I just give it the backup date and destination. Only takes moments to start.
(101 ways...

)

My program apends the last BU. Only changes things that are changed in the main file. Goes very fast. Often in just seconds.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CamB wrote:

My program apends the last BU. Only changes things that are changed in the main file. Goes very fast. Often in just seconds.

lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

bobbyjohn wrote:

I use Macrium Reflect Free for my backups. I hav... (show quote)