SLOW DOS Copy to USB 2 HDD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fred S *****
  • Start date Start date
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Fred S *****

Hi,

I created a batch file which uses the DOS "copy" command and it simply
copies digital pics from a hard disk to an external HDD (USB 2.0)at the
end of the day.

My friend tells me that it takes about 55 minutes to copy 2.5 GB of data.

Does anyone have an idea to improve this process? I looked at the xcopy
switches and was hoping to be able to copy only files that are new on
that day - it appears that the date has to be entered in the command
which would not be easy for the user to do.

Right now, I use a simple copy *.* to the External and it over writes
all of the files that haven't even changed.

Need some help, thanks, Fred
 
Fred said:
Hi,

I created a batch file which uses the DOS "copy" command and it simply
copies digital pics from a hard disk to an external HDD (USB 2.0)at the
end of the day.

My friend tells me that it takes about 55 minutes to copy 2.5 GB of data.

Does anyone have an idea to improve this process? I looked at the xcopy
switches and was hoping to be able to copy only files that are new on
that day - it appears that the date has to be entered in the command
which would not be easy for the user to do.
Click to expand...

If you just use the /D switch without any date it will only copy the
files where the source is newer than the destination. I use XCopy with
several more switches to backup around one million files to a backup
hard drive and it only takes an hour or two. You might want to make
sure that the USB drive is actually running at USB 2.0 speeds.
 
Michael,

Thanks, I'll try that to see how it works.

Also, we installed a USB2.0 card in that PC and now I'm wondering if my
friend had the external plugged into one of the old (USB 1.1) ports.

I'll check on that too.

Fred
 
Fred said:
Hi,

I created a batch file which uses the DOS "copy" command and it simply
copies digital pics from a hard disk to an external HDD (USB 2.0)at
the end of the day.

My friend tells me that it takes about 55 minutes to copy 2.5 GB of
data.
Does anyone have an idea to improve this process? I looked at the
xcopy switches and was hoping to be able to copy only files that are
new on that day - it appears that the date has to be entered in the
command which would not be easy for the user to do.

Right now, I use a simple copy *.* to the External and it over writes
all of the files that haven't even changed.

Need some help, thanks, Fred
Click to expand...

Look at SyncToy. It is well suited for this task. I use it to keep copies of
my pictures up to date on a USB drive and also a network share. It will be
slow the first time.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...54-c975-4814-9649-cce41af06eb7&DisplayLang=en

Kerry
 
Michael,

Thanks again for your input - I played around with the D switch and it
works as you say.

Now my only issue is how to deal with files removed from the source
group. A new total copy simply recreates while xcopy adds - but that
still is pretty good.

Fred
 
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