Off topic - software question

  WinXP SOFTWARE QUESTION:

I've just posted this question in 'alt.backup-software', but I'm new to that
group and have no idea if there is anyone alive in there! I am therefore
repeating my question in this group because I know there are a few of you in
here who will be able (and hopefully willing?) to help me...


Windows XP, 2GB RAM, 2 Internal hard drives, 1 External laptop hard drive in
USB caddy as backup device.

My internal drive is split 80GB C (System) and the rest as D (Files). I
currently use SyncToy to backup certain folders manually, but wondered if
there is any software that could maintain a live backup (echo) of my
important files every time they are saved? I'm basically looking for a live
Raid1 (mirror) type software setup that works on specific folders, or
perhaps at the partition level, rather than at the drive level.

My D Drive currently contains a few hundred GB of files that I don't need to
backup - music, camcorder HD video, games etc. My important files are spread
over 4 main folders and take up about 40GB and will increase by maybe
1GB/year at most. I mention this to highlight that I could define a
partition on the internal drive to match the size of the USB backup drive if
necessary - if 2 matching partitions are the only option.

So, anyone know of any folder mirroring or partition mirroring backup
software. SyncToy does the job perfectly at the moment, but is manual, so
I'm not prepared to spend much money on automating this and would therefore
prefer a freeware option.

Thanks,
GT

 

Not sure how helpful this is but, take a look:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-folder-synchronization-utility.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_synchronization_software  

 
Thanks for those pointers. I've discovered PureSync and it does exactly what
I require - there is an option to synchronise files when one changes and it
appears to work!

 

    Backing up the whole system then I don't know, cuz I have spent lot of
$$$$ on backup system (started with floppy, SCSI tape backup, 250M tape, few
others I don't remember the names, and hard drive etc.).  But I have never
restored any, then the software, hardware no longer work with newer Windows,
and some incompatible etc. so I never have a chance to use it.

    So for years, I just burn them to DVDs (hundreds of them) and rarely look
at those old junks.  Cuz

1. SOFTWARES, they will be old within few months

2. SYSTEM, it will be useless after awhile.  Unless you are running a
business then backing up current data is useful.

3. DATA, most of them if you won't use now then you may not use them later.
Yup! I have been a DATA collector for decades, and I do have lot of old DATA
which I have no idea where they are now.

    So, I would say burning to DVDs is my style.

 
I don't want to backup the whole system! The system drive is not backup up -
I have install disks for everything. The majority of my data is not backed
up either. I was looking for a live backup (mirror-type) solution, not an
archiving solution.