Use a scheduled task to backup from one PC to another

  • Thread starter Thread starter JB
  • Start date Start date
J

JB

Hi, I'm trying to create a scheduled task that copies a folder and all
files, sub folders etc within from one PC to another on the same local
network i.e. backup said folder nightly.

Now I've tried using a .bat file but no DOS copy command seemed to
copy all files and sub folders, I could not copy across files
contained in a subfolder whilst files in the main folder were copied
OK.

I'm now wondering if there's anything in XP I can use to automate the
copying without relying on a .bat file?

Cheers John
 
JB said:
Hi, I'm trying to create a scheduled task that copies a folder and all
files, sub folders etc within from one PC to another on the same local
network i.e. backup said folder nightly.

Now I've tried using a .bat file but no DOS copy command seemed to
copy all files and sub folders, I could not copy across files
contained in a subfolder whilst files in the main folder were copied
OK.

I'm now wondering if there's anything in XP I can use to automate the
copying without relying on a .bat file?

Cheers John
Click to expand...

I have used XCopy in a batch file to do that for many years with no
problems. The only time you may run into a problem is with the
Documents and Settings folder. XP seems to think you have no right to
copy some of your own files that are in that tree. If you use the don't
stop on errors switch it is possible to copy most of that tree.
 
JB said:
Hi, I'm trying to create a scheduled task that copies a folder and all
files, sub folders etc within from one PC to another on the same local
network i.e. backup said folder nightly.

Now I've tried using a .bat file but no DOS copy command seemed to
copy all files and sub folders, I could not copy across files
contained in a subfolder whilst files in the main folder were copied
OK.

I'm now wondering if there's anything in XP I can use to automate the
copying without relying on a .bat file?

Cheers John
Click to expand...

This batch command should do what you want:

xcopy source destination /E /C /H /R /Y

For details, open a command prompt window and type:

xcopy /?

However, I prefer an intelligent backup program that can determine
which files have changed and copy only them, such as:

Second Copy
http://www.centered.com

Microsoft SyncToy
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...54-C975-4814-9649-CCE41AF06EB7&displaylang=en

Karen's Replicator
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Steve said:
This batch command should do what you want:

xcopy source destination /E /C /H /R /Y

For details, open a command prompt window and type:

xcopy /?

However, I prefer an intelligent backup program that can determine
which files have changed and copy only them, such as:
Click to expand...

That is what the /D switch does, it only copies file with a newer time
stamp than the existing file.
 
"Michael said:
That is what the /D switch does, it only copies file with a newer time
stamp than the existing file.
Click to expand...

I hadn't noticed that switch, Michael. Thanks for pointing it out!
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
<[email protected]>, "Michael






I hadn't noticed that switch, Michael. Thanks for pointing it out!
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Programhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback - I'll give the xcopy command a go. I
thought I'd be able to do it using xcopy just couldn't fathom out how
from the help.

Cheers

John
 
Just to let you both know, I've got the xcopy working fine!

The /D option does the trick with the timestamps.

Cheers to you both again!

JB
 
JB said:
Just to let you both know, I've got the xcopy working fine!

The /D option does the trick with the timestamps.

Cheers to you both again!

JB
Click to expand...

I started using XCopy extensively when I found that using Microsoft's
drag and drop method of copying would take days to copy the contents of
a folder to another drive. Xcopy does the same thing in minutes.
Sometimes the newest and greatest isn't so great.
 
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