An Image Backup that's Very Easy to Use?

Brian,

I really do not know. Drive snapshot does not offer a similar option for the command interface and because of this, I never used it without the -Go option
when I run scheduled backups.

ps. about the hash. I run a test and DS can also recover small corruptions even without the hash file.

Panagiotis

 

Wendi,

The latest version for you.....

Code:

@echo off
if not defined RunTask set RunTask=1 & start "DS" /min %SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /c "%0" & goto :EOF
set path=C:\Snapshot
CD /d G:\Images
start "" /min /wait snapshot.exe C: C_full.sna -R -L0 -T -W -Go
IF EXIST snap_02.sna (DEL snap_02.sna)
IF EXIST snap_01.sna (REN snap_01.sna snap_02.sna)
REN C_full.sna snap_01.sna

 

Panagiotis,

I'm confused here; doesn't that happen regardless of the -Go switch? What I meant by my remark was that since the DS windows and progress indicator are minimized (when adding the -Go switch to post #26's batch-file) I don't see how the progress indicator serves a purpose (or is the actual progress still evident when minimized?). If I am still not 'getting it' I would appreciate receiving further explanation.

Cruise

-----
Ps: It has been my understanding that the sole purpose of creating a DS hash file is for differential images; is that not so?

 

Brian,

Since IFW offers so many more backup options than DS, which IFW backup options are envoked by this batch-file?

Cruise

----
Ps. Let's not hijack Wendi's thread (with an IFW discussion) - we should take this to it's own thread.

 

If I may add my 2 cents regarding data backup, I would recommend a simple to use and inexpensive solution, FabAutobackup V3,
http://fpnet.fr/?page=ab3presentation&lang=en

Very efficient in saving the useful data to an external drive in a non proprietary format. Quite simple to use IMHO.

Regarding imaging, I would recommend an alternative solution to DS, which is R-Drive Image (www.r-tt.com), which has greatly improved over the past few years, it is rock solid, and recovery media are easy to build and very efficient in recognizing hardware. It supports both incremental and differential backup, can be used from a GUI and command line.

 

MerleOne,

Thanks for your interest, but your proposed solution doesn't fit my friend's needs.

Wendi

 

Wendi,

Sorry it doesn't match what you are looking for. Still I think these are interesting solutions for beginners, who have slightly different requirements.

 

Good Morning Brian,

I had a full teaching schedule yesterday, but now that the weekend is here I will install and try the above batch file on my PC (but I first need to help my parents with their latest PC problem!). If the batch-file works, and I expect it will, I'll go to my friend's house tomorrow (Sun in NY) to install and try it on her PC and of course, show her how to use it. If I run into any issues with it on my PC today, I'll be back here.

Thanks for everything!

Wendi

 

Brian, I'm back with my test results:

For my initial test (on my PC) I modified your batch-file (above) so that it targeted my backup drive/directory and I created DS.cmd. Then I created the 'Snapshot' folder in C: and copied DS.cmd and snapshot.exe to the folder (I had to rename snapshot64.exe to snapshot.exe). I then sent a DS.cmd shortcut the desktop, double-clicked on it and off it went and some time later the backup was successful. Yippee!!!

Two observations and questions:

Is there any way to avoid the UAC popup upon double-clicking the DS.cmd shortcut? (it's intimidating to a novice). If not, I may just opt for setting up scheduled snapshots on my friend's PC.

The backup created is named snap_01.sna and the corresponding hash file is named c_full.hsh. Other than the extension, shouldn't they have the same name?

Wendi

Re my 2nd question: Since the images created by the batch-file are full backups (i.e., no differentials) why even create a hash file?

 

Wendi,

Nice work.

I use snapshot.exe (the 32-bit file). You only have to use snapshot64.exe in a 64-bit recovery environment as that environment can't handle 32-bit exes.

No, unless you are running DS in a schedule.

No, I didn't change its name in the batch file. You can ignore the .hsh file.

It was Panagiotis' idea. See Message #59. He made another reference to the .hsh file in Message #76.


Edit.... For testing on your computer you can remove -T. The process will finish in less than half the time.
Edit.... To edit a batch file, right click it, Edit.

 

Brian,

Before leaving for my friend's house tomorrow I would like to test a 'scheduling version' of your DS batch-file on my system (thus comparing it to the one I just tested). I know you outlined it earlier in this thread, but with everything that's been discussed since then I'd feel much more comfortable if you would post the appropriate batch-file (with brief instructions).

Wendi

 

Wendi, I think scheduling is the way to go for your friend too. Make sure everything is OK doing it manually then schedule the batch file. I see you are going to test this on your computer. Good.

See Message #22. No change. Use your current batch file.

Any questions?

 

I kind of think that's the way to go as well. First of all, it circumvents forgetfulnes on my friend's part. Secondly (according to what you indicated), scheduling the backup circumvents the UAC popup!

Just one question (at this time), what happens if her PC isn't up and running on the scheduled day/time for the batch-file to execute? Does the backup occur the very next time the system is booted-up? ...or is it skipped unitl the next scheduled date?

Wendi

 

That's what happens.

 

I'm wrong.

http://superuser.com/questions/3125...e-if-the-computer-was-off-at-the-scheduled-ti

Edit.... I tested this and it works. The missed task commences about ten minutes after starting the computer.

 

Brian,

Imho, this is an excellent (and appropriate) backup solution for Wendi's friend. The non-scheduled version is as simple as it gets (just dbl-click and it runs) and the scheduled version isn't just simple, it's transparent. Well done!

Cruise

 

One thought from me -----

Wendi, you might have to tell your friend that she will have to delete some backups from the drive eventually. Unless DS does that for you when a certain preset backup set size is reached.

 

Cruise,

Thanks. We don't know for sure yet but I suspect all of Wendi's friend's data files are stored in the C: drive. If that is so then an image backup contains "everything". The OS and the personal files. If her computer "dies" she can mount her backup in any other computer and extract her personal files.

 

Barry,

The batch file does this for her....

IF EXIST snap_02.sna (DEL snap_02.sna)
IF EXIST snap_01.sna (REN snap_01.sna snap_02.sna)
REN C_full.sna snap_01.sna

Only the two most recent images are kept. I thought that was enough and any more probably wouldn't fit on the USB external HD anyway.

 

OK, just thought I would mention it in case it had been overlooked somehow.

 

Hi Brian,

I just returned after spending Sun afternoon and evening with my gf and her children. It's now 1 AM on Mon here in NY, but as I don't have any teaching assignments today and as I know it's mid-afternoon in NSW, I thought I'd bring you up to speed...

Let me say right away that I installed your batch-file on her PC and ran it while at the same time explaining it's operation to her. We enjoyed a glass of wine (well, maybe two) while the backup ran and it finished without a hitch. I didn't get a chance to implement the scheduled version because we went over several other PC issues (unrelated to backing-up), but when I told her that the next time I came over I would modify the backup so that it was totally automatic she thought that was a wonderful idea.

Btw, I added the -o switch back into the batch file as I don't see any need for DS' hash files since we are just making full backups. Also, to clarify some open issues, all personal data file are on the C-partition. The D-partition (FAT32) is for HP-Recovery. The large E-partition is mostly empty (it looks like her late husband used it for software downloads and application setup files). Finally, I instructed her to leave the external USB drive connected to the desktop PC.

So it's been a long (but pleasant) day and night for me, and my body tells me it's bed-time.

Wendi

 

Wendi,

Great to hear from you and I note your time. It is 1620 here, Monday.

As we've already discussed, the image backup contains "everything".
If her internal HD fails she is covered.
If she buys a new computer she is covered.
If the external HD fails she just needs to recreate the backups on another external HD.
If both HDs fail (unlikely but not impossible) then she should be prepared with a secondary backup. I prefer another external HD but I understand she might prefer not to buy one. You could put her personal files (in native format) on DVDs as a secondary backup. I'll leave the topic of a secondary backup to your judgement.

Concerning her old .sna backups. Check them but I doubt they contain anything that isn't currently in the C: drive. If so, most could be deleted to free up space.

 

One point I forgot to mention. She could bring her USB external HD to your house (along with a bottle of wine) and extract selected personal files from the image backup and copy them to your HD. A .sna image backup is versatile. Nothing needs to be installed on your computer. Just double click snapshot.exe.

 

I'll do that this coming weekend after I setup scheduled backups. After yesterday's backup there was about 400GB of free space on her USB drive and I'm sure that some (if not all) of the old .sna's can be deleted. It would make me feel even better if you could modify the batch-file to create and save 3 .sna images instead of just 2 (hash files not needed).

I didn't think it was possible Brian, but I'm one step ahead of you. I brought my 1TB portable USB drive with me yesterday and after creating the .sna image I copied it onto my portable drive.

Wendi

 

You are probably correct about Paragon, however, their download for the free version is impossible to follow - it goes thru CNet (whom I do not like) and is not clear how exactly to continue. Maybe I am just dense, but I didn't find it worth messing with. I went ahead and installed Macrium Reflect and have been using it. You might check this out when recommending it (Paragon) to other users...