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Automatic incremental backups to flash drive

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Steve_Storm
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Automatic incremental backups to flash drive

I will be overly detailed, as I would like to get an overly detailed response. I have a laptop running WinXP sp2. I would like to be able to plug in an usb key (8GB Sandisc micro) to the laptop and have it automatically copy folder x from the laptop to the usb key. There would be nothing on the key but whatever program does the copying and folder x. I can say that this will be the only computer this key ever is plugged into and it always shows up as the same ‘E’ drive letter. I would like(if possible) to have it save the file as an incremental backup each time ie; filename1, filename2, etc. I am not worried about encryption or compression as the files needing backup are neither large nor sensitive. I would like the process to be silent and automated. I have thought about creating an autorun file that will launch Toucan; letting it do the copying, however I really know nothing about creating scripts for Toucan so I am open to suggestions. One thing that I would like is to make sure the program that does the copying is contained to the usb key, and follows PortableApps.com standards. I feel like I am probably overlooking some easy solution. I would appreciate any input from the community, and sorry about the lengthy post, I wanted to be thorough.

ottosykora
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dont know exactly

sure all can be done with a bat file , but you can see the app USBagent, which can launch more then one app and start a backup software of your choice on the computer, giving him the job to do what you want.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.withopf.com%2Ft...

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

Steve_Storm
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interesting..

Your response is interesting, however I am left with the same problem of trying to learn the best way to write a bat file. I think my best bet would be creating an autorun.inf that will launch Toucan, however I am at a a loss as to how to write a script for that. It would be nice if the author of Toucan would chime in. Thank you for your response, however I am going to wait and see if any other ideas float this way first...

ottosykora
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usbagent

was meant by me to replace the bat files in fact. This its purpose. It has an ini to put few setting in it, but this is quite clear.

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

alpha1
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A while ago I wrote a sort

A while ago I wrote a sort script to backup some folders on my flash drive, I could easily convert it to do the basic portableapps folders. I'll see if i can find the source and fix it up to work on portableapps

and yes it was written in NSIS.

Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.

Steve_Storm
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Thanks!

That sounds like what I am looking for! I knew somebody would know how to do this. I look forward to giving it a try.

Steve Lamerton
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Sorry

I didnt reply sooner, not many of the devs read the off-topic forum. Scripting in Toucan is pretty simple, if you go to the settings tab and click help and look at the command line section that should tell you all you need to know.

Basically you just need to run Toucan with a command line parameter of the job file that you have previously saved. For example if you have a job called 'backupdrvie' calling 'toucan.exe backupdrive' will run the job for you.

Steve_Storm
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Thanks Steve!

Steve, I feel honored to have gotten a reply from you. I have looked at the Toucan help files (I felt a little lost). I see the commands needed, however I am not an "advanced user"... Being a fan of Toucan, I knew that it could do the job, I wasn't sure of how to put it into practice for this particular situation. I will give it a shot and let you know how it went. Know that I am learning as I go, which is a good thing, I think.

alpha1
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yea, Steve's Toucan is

yea, Steve's Toucan is probably more on the lines of what you were looking for. my script was just to backup a couple key files and folders I have, set to autorun, but editing the autorun.ini file. I'll try to edit and post it anyway, but toucan should do everthing you need and more.

Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.

Steve_Storm
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The autorun script

The autorun script is what I had in mind; again, I am not good at writing scripts, so even with Toucan, I would have the same issue. Whichever solution is the easiest is the one I will most likely go with. Alpha1, I look forward to trying your script. Thanks for the replies!

alpha1
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ok, I'm working on tweaking

ok, I'm working on tweaking it for that use now, hopefully this weekend I can post it

Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.

EvilDaveCanada
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Automatic incremental backups to flash drive

check out this program, XXcopy
www.xxcopy.com
totally standalone, runs in a command window & has a command list beyond imagine

Steve_Storm
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Thanks

I will check it out. Thank you for your suggestion.

laurakaska
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Interesting

Very light program Wink But as long as it works I can't complain!

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