Washand Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Hi, I have a question about backing up files using Windows XP Home, or any other version of Windows. This problem has been bugging me for years and I am not sure if I am just missing something very basic.All I want to do is use Windows Explorer to copy a lot of files (several thousand in many different folders) from one location to another. I select the folders I want to copy, click Copy and then paste the folders to the target drive and the copying starts. Unfortunately there is always at least one file lurking somewhere which will not copy for some reason. So after waiting sometimes hours for the copying to complete, an error message pops up saying that this file cannot be copied. OK, that would be fine if it just skipped that file and continued copying the others. But that's too simple for Microsoft. Instead, the copying process is aborted and you are left with files half copied. The problem is, it's difficult to tell which files have been copied where, and I end up in a big mess spending hours of my time comparing copied folder sizes with the original and trying to work out the location of the file it didn't like (which is conveniently not written on the error message).Am I the only one with this problem? Why is it still not sorted after so many generations of Windows? Is there any other way of copying (as opposed to using Backup) which has a smarter way of handling files when there is one that won't copy? I presume there is a technical reason why file copying cannot just continue after an error message, but it has caused me endless frustration. At least in DOS you could force copying of all files, but I don't think there is a way of doing that in Windows, or is there?Washand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 You can use XCOPY with the switch /C which will continue to copy if errors occur.But you are wasting your time...There are far more easier ways to backup for example Acronis True Image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washand Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks for your suggestion. It's sad when the great might of Microsoft Windows has to rely on a DOS command for such a basic requirement as copying files without error interruption. It's really hard to believe.As for backup software, yes, there are many on the market and I have tried a few. Trouble is, the ones I have tried back up all files to single backup file, and it is hard to access a file you want without restoring everything. What I want is a program that faithfully copies everything from one location to another without compression or encryption and without bleating every 5 minutes and breaking down mid-flow. I'm reluctant to download and install every backup program on the planet to find the right one and I have yet to come across a program description that specifically says it will do what I want. Can Acronis True Image do this? If not, is there any other program that can do it?Many thanks to anyone that can help!Washand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I can thoroughly recommend a back-up programme called Second Copy. I have used it for 4 years and it does exectly what you are looking for by taking exact copies of selected files to whichever source you choose. It can also be set to keep archive copies of files - which enables you to recover files that have been changed.I automatically make an incremental back-up of all my data files each time the computer is shut down and can recover any version of any file by simply using Windows ExplorerIt aint expensive - and is worth every penny. See Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washand Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks, that sounds exactly what I need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.