Backup Software Fucking Sucks

krozman · 08-30-2007, 10:52 AM

So I went out and purchased a 500gb MyBook to back up my office files every day. I configure my backup software to look for changed files within the specified directories, and if changed or new files/directories, they backup only those changed files.

The problem, of course, is that I WANT only one backup directory. What I am getting with the WD Backup software that came with the MyBook, is this:

This is unacceptable because after only one year, i'm going to have 365 directories. I want one directory that overwrites after every day and backs up accordingly.

I'm willing to pay for good software, so any recommendations?

chaos · 08-30-2007, 11:15 AM

I'm not sure of the software, never used it, but try changing your backup strategy within the software to perform a full backup daily. There should be an option to change the period of time you maintain the backup for, change that to 1 day and then you should have what you want.

I use the netgear software that comes with the SC101 from netgear, and it's shit, but has options like these so I assume that for consumer backup software it's pretty standard.

makist · 08-30-2007, 11:19 AM

Acronis TrueImage is your friend, friend.

krozman · 08-30-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos

try changing your backup strategy within the software to perform a full backup daily. .

All that does with my software is create a new directory each day with a full copy of everything. I'm basically looking for something I don't have to maintain. Plus, a full backup takes literally 4 hours, given the tens of thousands of small word and word perfect documents I back up. I know i'm not asking for the impossible here. I'll check out the Acronis TrueImage thing.

Angerz · 08-30-2007, 12:01 PM

This is gonna sound stupid, but is there a checkbox or something that you missed where you can choose to append/overwrite instead of create new file?

Soriak · 08-30-2007, 12:24 PM

I like Mozy, but I guess an online service isn't suited for your office documents...

chaos · 08-30-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krozman

All that does with my software is create a new directory each day with a full copy of everything. I'm basically looking for something I don't have to maintain. Plus, a full backup takes literally 4 hours, given the tens of thousands of small word and word perfect documents I back up. I know i'm not asking for the impossible here. I'll check out the Acronis TrueImage thing.

The reason I suggested full is I can't see why you'd want to do an incremental style backup that you'll be overwriting every day. You'll only be providing backups of files for 1 day that way. But, I have no idea what you do so maybe this works for what you need.

I have to think you are just missing some option in the program though.

krozman · 08-30-2007, 12:47 PM

These are the only settings i'm given with the software i'm using.

So no, not a checkmark i'm missing, I wish I were that stupid and fixing it were that easy.

chaos · 08-30-2007, 12:50 PM

try options?

You're right that software fucking sucks.

Menoz · 08-30-2007, 02:12 PM

You're missing something, I have that same software and I have it back-up certain folders on my hard drive every morning.

Zeste · 08-30-2007, 03:25 PM

SecondCopy for Windows is AWESOME and will do exactly what you want.

I used it for years, I would just set up profiles that had a "source" and "Destination", and it would then scan and update only the changed files/folders. Every day, it would manage the backup and sync for over 100,000 work files. Also, if you poke around the options, you can have it archive deleted files into a special folder, so if you decide you want something back, it's still archived.

Also, you could Sync it, so if you take a drive from home to work, if you edit files at home, it will sync it with work, so it essentially can determine if the file is newer on the source or destination, and updates both accordingly. I drag a WD Passport 120gb USB drive from home with me every day, so I would just Sync my work machine with that drive, and then sync it with my home machine and vice versa.

I *highly* recommend it. ..:: Second Copy ::.. Secure your data with automatic backups

Oh and for my fellow Mac friends - ChronoSync does everything I mentioned above and more. That's what I use now that I am in a 100% mac work/home environment.

Frax · 08-30-2007, 05:44 PM

#vdump -0 -f /dev/rmt0 /

oh, wait, inferior OS backups you are talking about :/

prescient63 · 08-30-2007, 09:47 PM

I'm going to go with soriak and say get an online service since if you are keeping your backup for business in the same building it is essentially useless. You have a little fire and there is no way to recover your data. I'm not trying to sound all doom and gloom, but its pretty common sense to keep your stuff in two different locations.

Slide · 09-01-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frax

#vdump -0 -f /dev/rmt0 /

oh, wait, inferior OS backups you are talking about :/

rsync.

08-30-2007, 10:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
krozman Fires of Heaven WoW Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 323	Backup Software Fucking Sucks So I went out and purchased a 500gb MyBook to back up my office files every day. I configure my backup software to look for changed files within the specified directories, and if changed or new files/directories, they backup only those changed files. The problem, of course, is that I WANT only one backup directory. What I am getting with the WD Backup software that came with the MyBook, is this: This is unacceptable because after only one year, i'm going to have 365 directories. I want one directory that overwrites after every day and backs up accordingly. I'm willing to pay for good software, so any recommendations?

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08-30-2007, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
chaos Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,884 +17 Internets	I'm not sure of the software, never used it, but try changing your backup strategy within the software to perform a full backup daily. There should be an option to change the period of time you maintain the backup for, change that to 1 day and then you should have what you want. I use the netgear software that comes with the SC101 from netgear, and it's shit, but has options like these so I assume that for consumer backup software it's pretty standard.

08-30-2007, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
makist Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rodcet Nife Posts: 773 -2 Internets	Acronis TrueImage is your friend, friend.

08-30-2007, 12:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Angerz Rock and Roll Gangster Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,852 -3 Internets	This is gonna sound stupid, but is there a checkbox or something that you missed where you can choose to append/overwrite instead of create new file?

08-30-2007, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Soriak Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 4,995 +36 Internets	I like Mozy, but I guess an online service isn't suited for your office documents...

08-30-2007, 12:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
krozman Fires of Heaven WoW Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 323	These are the only settings i'm given with the software i'm using. So no, not a checkmark i'm missing, I wish I were that stupid and fixing it were that easy.

08-30-2007, 12:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
chaos Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,884 +17 Internets	try options? You're right that software fucking sucks.

08-30-2007, 02:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Menoz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 614	You're missing something, I have that same software and I have it back-up certain folders on my hard drive every morning.

08-30-2007, 03:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zeste Ben's Secret Assassins - HIPPITY HOP RABBIT Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,076 +23 Internets	SecondCopy for Windows is AWESOME and will do exactly what you want. I used it for years, I would just set up profiles that had a "source" and "Destination", and it would then scan and update only the changed files/folders. Every day, it would manage the backup and sync for over 100,000 work files. Also, if you poke around the options, you can have it archive deleted files into a special folder, so if you decide you want something back, it's still archived. Also, you could Sync it, so if you take a drive from home to work, if you edit files at home, it will sync it with work, so it essentially can determine if the file is newer on the source or destination, and updates both accordingly. I drag a WD Passport 120gb USB drive from home with me every day, so I would just Sync my work machine with that drive, and then sync it with my home machine and vice versa. I highly recommend it. ..:: Second Copy ::.. Secure your data with automatic backups Oh and for my fellow Mac friends - ChronoSync does everything I mentioned above and more. That's what I use now that I am in a 100% mac work/home environment.

08-30-2007, 05:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Frax Please Don't Fuck Up! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Axis of Evil Posts: 2,924	#vdump -0 -f /dev/rmt0 / oh, wait, inferior OS backups you are talking about :/

08-30-2007, 09:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
prescient63 You can't blame women for what they do wrong in the same way that you can't blame a dog for what it does wrong. Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,484 -5 Internets	I'm going to go with soriak and say get an online service since if you are keeping your backup for business in the same building it is essentially useless. You have a little fire and there is no way to recover your data. I'm not trying to sound all doom and gloom, but its pretty common sense to keep your stuff in two different locations.