Using Briefcase as a backup method. Pros and cons please.

[slaterlp]

T60, xp pro sp2

I was wondering if the briefcase folder included in windows since w9x days, and still in XPpro, can be used as a simple frequent backup tool for my data and even my entire documents and settings folder.

I used to use it when at work to sync my laptop with my desktop. Now I am just a home user with only need of a data backup to external disk.

All you do is right click and update all.

All I want is a current copy of my data duplicated on an external drive.

But I dont want to have to delete the current backup copy, and then do a full copy each time as it takes too long and I dont need or want a succession of backups from different dates.

I have a batch file that uses xcopy with all the switches to copy changed files. But of course that wont take account of me deleting folders or files. So the destination can still end up containing stuff I dont want unless I delete it all first. (Like I said I have no need of an archive).

From what I can see, briefcase seems to do what I want, but surely it cant be that simple otherwise it would be promoted a lot more than it is.

So is there a briefcase expert out there that can tell me if I wrong.

My understanding, is that once I have created a Briefcase on my external drive, and then copied my data folder, (with all its subfolders and files) to it, ----Briefcase appears to be able to recognise ALL my changes and pretty quickly duplicate my laptop c drive data including any additions or deletions or alterations to files that I have made.

But if it can do this, then why is it not used more?

Suppose my laptop disk crashed. I install new disk, reinstate operating system using r and r or acronis or whatever, and then simply copy the contents of the briefcase from my external drive back to the NEW C drive on my laptop.

And why dont I use some other software?

Well. XP backup isn't that flexible, nor is R and R, I only have the free edition of Acronis, Courtesy of Seagate Diskwizard, and I dont want to pay for anymore software. Also I just dont know enough about backup methods to know what is possible.

I cant help thnking there is a glaring error in my thinking.

So oppinions please

[craigmontHunter]

I used it for a long time, it I think that it would do what you want it to do, and if all you want it for, backing up files. It has the advantage of you are able to go anywhere, work on a file, come back and it will take into account which one was changed. You only need to make sure to run it regularly (daily) if you are going to work on things on other computers. What I would reccomend is copying the "My Documents" folder into the breifcase, and any other individual folders/files in your documents and settings folder (favorites, e-mail) because you do not need a lot of the files in the case of a re-install and they may actually give you problems.

The best way to find out is to try backing up with it and watch for any hiccups in the process.

Jack

[jdhurst]

I used Briefcase for a long time to do just what you said: Backup critical documents from my Laptop to my Desktop, and have them useable in both places. Briefcase up to Windows XP worked reliably but not particularly fast. In Vista, Briefcase is a pig. It is so slow, I could carve my replicas out of stone with a chisel much faster. Unuseable in Vista. Offline Files (Microsoft's replacement) is easily corrupted and broken and further does not support all document types. Unuseable in Vista.

So after some research, I settled on SyncBack Pro (2brightsparks.com). It is not free, but it is cheap, and it does precisely what you want. Most highly recommended. ... JDH

[craigmontHunter]

Forgot about this, but what about the synctoy powertoy (google it), free from M$, it syncs files back and forth like briefcase, and it is more flexable, but a little bit slower in xp. It may be worth a look.

Jack

[jdhurst]

I tried SyncToy.

1. It breaks simply by looking at it cross-eyed.
2. It does not handle important files.

I gave it up as vastly less reliable and workable than Briefcase. Briefcase works - it is just slow.
... JDH