XP Home Edition - ntbackup.msi

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Kate

I am thinking of installing the above Backup utility. Can anyone
confirm that it saves in the file`s native format, please?

Thanks
Kate
 
Kate said:
I am thinking of installing the above Backup utility. Can anyone
confirm that it saves in the file`s native format, please?
Click to expand...

By, "...it saves in the file's native format...", do you mean it makes an
uncompressed/unchanged copy of the files? Just like you would using the
copy/move/xcopy/etc commands?

As far as I know - NTBackup puts everything into .BKF files - for which you
need to use NTBackup (or another utility that will read the data from such
files) to get the data back out.
 
Kate said:
I am thinking of installing the above Backup utility. Can anyone confirm that it saves in the
file`s native format, please?

Thanks
Kate
Click to expand...
No, the files are in compressed format. Also, from history, the MS Backup is a very poor
application.
The files made by Windows 98 backup could not be read by Windows XP backup and I suspect that the
Backup by XP cannot be read by Vista backup.

Find a third party program to do your backups.
Many will do native format and you can use them in many versions of Windows.
 
Shenan Stanley said:
By, "...it saves in the file's native format...", do you mean it
makes an uncompressed/unchanged copy of the files? Just like you
would using the copy/move/xcopy/etc commands?

As far as I know - NTBackup puts everything into .BKF files - for
which you need to use NTBackup (or another utility that will read
the data from such files) to get the data back out.
Click to expand...

That is what I feared. I currently use a backup program which saves
files in its own format, which means that if I need to restore
anything, I have to use the same software. Nor can I see or open what
has been saved. I want to back up, say, compressed .tiffs as
compressed .tiffs, .docs as .docs, etc, so I guess that I shall have
to manually copy/move what I wish to back up and make sure I keep
up-to-date, rather than being able to automate it. I have about 7GB
of data that I want to copy to an external hard drive. Is
Ctrl+drag-and-drop a reliable method do you know, please, or can you
recommend a better method?

Thanks for getting back to me.
Kate
 
Kate said:
I am thinking of installing the above Backup utility. Can anyone
confirm that it saves in the file`s native format, please?
Click to expand...

Shenan said:
By, "...it saves in the file's native format...", do you mean it
makes an uncompressed/unchanged copy of the files? Just like you
would using the copy/move/xcopy/etc commands?

As far as I know - NTBackup puts everything into .BKF files - for
which you need to use NTBackup (or another utility that will read
the data from such files) to get the data back out.
Click to expand...
That is what I feared. I currently use a backup program which saves
files in its own format, which means that if I need to restore
anything, I have to use the same software. Nor can I see or open
what has been saved. I want to back up, say, compressed .tiffs as
compressed .tiffs, .docs as .docs, etc, so I guess that I shall have
to manually copy/move what I wish to back up and make sure I keep
up-to-date, rather than being able to automate it. I have about 7GB
of data that I want to copy to an external hard drive. Is
Ctrl+drag-and-drop a reliable method do you know, please, or can you
recommend a better method?
Click to expand...

So you are looking for a synchronization application more than a backup
application. Subtle difference.

You could utilize "SyncToy" from Microsoft to synchronize several folders
between two places (in different ways) or some other third party
'synchronization' application.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...54-C975-4814-9649-CCE41AF06EB7&displaylang=en
 
Shenan Stanley said:
So you are looking for a synchronization application more than a
backup application. Subtle difference.

You could utilize "SyncToy" from Microsoft to synchronize several
folders between two places (in different ways) or some other third
party 'synchronization' application.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...54-C975-4814-9649-CCE41AF06EB7&displaylang=en
Click to expand...

That sounds just the thing I wanted. I had no idea such software was
available so thank you very much for telling me.

I have tried to post another query 3 times, but it hasn`t appeared on
my computer for some reason, so I wonder if you could help me on
another matter, please? Could you tell me how to freeze and then
scroll the boot-up window? I don`t want to enter Set Up, but am
curious to see what is on the screen; also, the knowledge might be
useful one day. I remember being able to do it in Win 98SE, but
cannot recall how.

Many thanks
Kate
 
Kate said:
That sounds just the thing I wanted. I had no idea such software was
available so thank you very much for telling me.

I have tried to post another query 3 times, but it hasn`t appeared on
my computer for some reason, so I wonder if you could help me on
another matter, please? Could you tell me how to freeze and then
scroll the boot-up window? I don`t want to enter Set Up, but am
curious to see what is on the screen; also, the knowledge might be
useful one day. I remember being able to do it in Win 98SE, but
cannot recall how.

Many thanks
Kate
Click to expand...
Press the "Pause - Break" key on the keyboard. Then press it again to restart the roll.
Be aware, you will have to be quick.
 
Press the "Pause - Break" key on the keyboard. Then press it again
to restart the roll.
Be aware, you will have to be quick.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I shall give it a try.
Reverting to my original question and Shenan Stanley`s suggestion of
SyncToy, I have found that I need .net framework to run this utility.
Unfortunately, when I went to download it, I was given a choice of x64
version, x86 version or IA64 version, with no explanation of the
differences. I have posted a query on the .net.framework NG, but in
case I do not get a reply, I would like to ask if anyone here can tell
me which version I should download, please.

Thanks again for your help and patience
Kate
 
Kate said:
Reverting to my original question and Shenan Stanley`s suggestion of
SyncToy, I have found that I need .net framework to run this
utility. Unfortunately, when I went to download it, I was given a
choice of x64 version, x86 version or IA64 version, with no
explanation of the differences. I have posted a query on the
.net.framework NG, but in case I do not get a reply, I would like
to ask if anyone here can tell me which version I should download,
please.
Click to expand...

You are unlikely to need a 64 bit.
You should get the x86 (32bit version.)
 
Shenan Stanley said:
You are unlikely to need a 64 bit.
You should get the x86 (32bit version.)
Click to expand...

Thank you yet again, Shenan. Yes, the 32 bit version is the one I
need. If the download page had put "x86 (32 bit)", I wouldn`t have had
to ask.

Kate
 
Kate said:
Thank you yet again, Shenan. Yes, the 32 bit version is the one I
need. If the download page had put "x86 (32 bit)", I wouldn`t have
had to ask.
Click to expand...

*grin*
I understand. I have often thought that should be done myself - but it is
not. ;-)
 
Kate said:
I am thinking of installing the above Backup utility. Can anyone confirm
that it saves in the file`s native format, please?

Thanks
Kate
Click to expand...

As noted elsewhere, you are asking about synchronization. However, this is
extremely inefficient, and a better plan is to use a backup app that is
reliable and has a well-understood file format.

For example, Backup Plus uses the Zip format (though its files are named
..bac). The Zip file format is very well understood and very reliable, and
there are plenty of utilities should things go wrong. You are by no means
tied to any one application to read them.

The one problem with it is that it can't create files larger than 4 gig, due
to a limitation in its zip engine.

Backup programs normally contain CRC checks to help protect and detect the
integrity of your data. It's quite possible to damage a file in its
original format, to the point where it can't be opened.

I use a combination of an imaging program and Backup PLus or other Zip
utility, depending on context.

HTH
-pk
 
Kate said:
That is what I feared. I currently use a backup program which saves
files in its own format, which means that if I need to restore
anything, I have to use the same software. Nor can I see or open what has
been saved. I want to back up, say, compressed .tiffs as compressed
.tiffs, .docs as .docs, etc, so I guess that I shall have to manually
copy/move what I wish to back up and make sure I keep up-to-date, rather
than being able to automate it. I have about 7GB of data that I want to
copy to an external hard drive. Is
Ctrl+drag-and-drop a reliable method do you know, please, or can you
recommend a better method?
Click to expand...

For raw copies, I normally use FileSync. This will also do bitwise
comparisons, so you can be certain that the source and copy are identical.
In addition, if it encounters an error, it won't just give up and go away,
like the Windows functions do. It will make a note, go to the next file,
and give you a list of problems at the end.

www.fileware.com
http://www.fileware.com/download.htm

HTH
-pk
 
Patrick Keenan said:
As noted elsewhere, you are asking about synchronization. However,
this is extremely inefficient, and a better plan is to use a backup
app that is reliable and has a well-understood file format.

For example, Backup Plus uses the Zip format (though its files are
named .bac). The Zip file format is very well understood and very
reliable, and there are plenty of utilities should things go wrong.
You are by no means tied to any one application to read them.

The one problem with it is that it can't create files larger than 4
gig, due to a limitation in its zip engine.

Backup programs normally contain CRC checks to help protect and
detect the integrity of your data. It's quite possible to damage a
file in its original format, to the point where it can't be opened.
Click to expand...

Oh dear, I`m even more undecided now! I have been running scheduled
backups on a QIC tapedrive for years, using Yosemitetech`s Tapeware,
but the tapes are very expensive, do not last all that long, and
backups were giving me a lot of grief recently. So, I bought an
external USB 2.0 HD and downloaded a trial version of Yosemitetech`s
Backup Desktop. Then someone pointed out that, as all my backups are
in the Yosemite format, I am now obliged to use their software in
order to do restores should they prove necessary. It also occurred to
me that, as I cannot view the backed up files either on tape or the
HD, I cannot know if they are correct. I have to take it on trust that
they are. Hence, I thought that if I copied them in their native
format, I would be able to check that they had saved correctly. I
don`t really need to synchronise my files, I suppose, but I thought it
would be easier than trying to remember to save two copies of every
new or changed file. Incidentally, I shall still back up to tape as
well, and I also burn our photos on DVD. It might be overkill, but I
shall then have three different types of media to choose to restore
from in the event of a disaster. Can`t be too careful!

Kate
 
Kate said:
Oh dear, I`m even more undecided now! I have been running scheduled
backups on a QIC tapedrive for years, using Yosemitetech`s Tapeware,
but the tapes are very expensive, do not last all that long, and
backups were giving me a lot of grief recently. So, I bought an
external USB 2.0 HD and downloaded a trial version of Yosemitetech`s
Backup Desktop. Then someone pointed out that, as all my backups are
in the Yosemite format, I am now obliged to use their software in
order to do restores should they prove necessary.
Click to expand...

Actually, you are obliged to do this once.

Do a restore to a new location, then you can use whatever you like to back
them up again in another format.

Of course, if the source data is the same, and if you have all of it, you
can just switch formats and walk away from the old backups; you don't then
need to do a restore.
It also occurred to
me that, as I cannot view the backed up files either on tape
Click to expand...

You should be able to view the files. That's a pretty basic function of a
reasonable backup program. You may have to mount the tape or image, but
you should be able to browse and pick out files.

One problem with tape is that being sequential, it's very slow.

Many backup programs can also write to CD/RW and DVD/RW as long as packet
writing software is installed, such as Nero's InCD, Sonic DLA, or Roxio
DirectCD. XP does not have the built-in ability to do this. Packet
writing software will format the optical disk so it can be written to just
like any other disk. These disks can be quite inexpensive now.

or the
HD, I cannot know if they are correct. I have to take it on trust that
they are. Hence, I thought that if I copied them in their native
format, I would be able to check that they had saved correctly.
Click to expand...

The issue is more likely to be media degradation. Tapes wear, hard disks
fail, DVDs probably last longest but not forever.

During the copy process for any backup, CRC checks should be happening and
you should see errors in the logs or on screen if there is file damage.
I
don`t really need to synchronise my files, I suppose, but I thought it
would be easier than trying to remember to save two copies of every
new or changed file.
Click to expand...

At businesses, we normally use a set of five DVDs or CDs and an incremental
backup. All the systems are set to back up specific files every night, and
the CD is changed every morning by a specific person - it's their first
task. This means that there are always five copies, with one no more than
a day old. And periodically, another copy is made for offsite storage.

It's important to periodically check the backups. They shouldn't be
regarded as a black hole.

Incidentally, I shall still back up to tape as
well, and I also burn our photos on DVD. It might be overkill, but I
shall then have three different types of media to choose to restore
from in the event of a disaster. Can`t be too careful!
Click to expand...

It's not overkill. A single backup is almost never enough. Store one
offsite, pretty much *anywhere* else. This is important in case of things
like fire.
 
Richard said:
No, the files are in compressed format. Also, from history, the MS Backup is a very poor
application.
The files made by Windows 98 backup could not be read by Windows XP backup and I suspect that the
Backup by XP cannot be read by Vista backup.

Find a third party program to do your backups.
Many will do native format and you can use them in many versions of Windows.
Click to expand...
MS Backup is an adequate Backup program. I used it, scripted for years
on 2000.

Cheers,

Cliff
 
Kate said:
That is what I feared. I currently use a backup program which saves
files in its own format, which means that if I need to restore
anything, I have to use the same software. Nor can I see or open what
has been saved.
Click to expand...
It is unlikely that the backup program doesn't in some way allow you to
tell what is in a backup, but it depends on the program whether or not
it makes this easy!

Cheers,

Cliff
 
Kate said:
Oh dear, I`m even more undecided now! I have been running scheduled
backups on a QIC tapedrive for years, using Yosemitetech`s Tapeware,
but the tapes are very expensive, do not last all that long, and
backups were giving me a lot of grief recently. So, I bought an
external USB 2.0 HD and downloaded a trial version of Yosemitetech`s
Backup Desktop. Then someone pointed out that, as all my backups are
in the Yosemite format, I am now obliged to use their software in
order to do restores should they prove necessary. It also occurred to
me that, as I cannot view the backed up files either on tape or the
HD, I cannot know if they are correct. I have to take it on trust that
they are. Hence, I thought that if I copied them in their native
format, I would be able to check that they had saved correctly. I
don`t really need to synchronise my files, I suppose, but I thought it
would be easier than trying to remember to save two copies of every
new or changed file. Incidentally, I shall still back up to tape as
well, and I also burn our photos on DVD. It might be overkill, but I
shall then have three different types of media to choose to restore
from in the event of a disaster. Can`t be too careful!
Click to expand...
You abaolutely can't be too careful! I don't know of any backup software
that doesn't allow you to 'look inside' a backup in some way, and it is
always good to make a file copy as well.

Cheers,

Cliff
 
You abaolutely can't be too careful! I don't know of any backup
software that doesn't allow you to 'look inside' a backup in some
way, and it is always good to make a file copy as well.

Cheers,

Cliff
Click to expand...
When I said that I cannot view the files that have been backed up, I
meant that I cannot open them to see if they are OK. It *is* possible
to see a list of files in an archive. It looks as though these
archives are in RAR format, so now I am wondering if I should buy the
WinRAR software. Too many choices! <sigh>

I had hoped that with the Yosemitetech software I could restore to a
different location, e.g. unpack to the external HD, but it only allows
restores to the file`s original location on the PC.

You have all been very helpful and the various ideas and advice will
help me to make a more informed choice, although I shall probably not
go with the synchronisation option after all, as that means the
software and external HD will be running continuously and my puny
system and the HD may not be up to it.

Thank again
Kate
 
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