Looking for advice on free file sync software

Shetlander · 15 Apr 2008 at 12:06

OK, this is what I want to do. I have all "My Documents" on a seperate 250gb drive and would like to mirror this onto my external Buffalo Linkstion so that the files can be accessed from my EEE without the main computer on.
I am looking for a FREE program that will track changes made on either drive and make the necessary adjustments on the other (copy, delete etc).

I have so far come across a few programs,

Synctoy - appears to do what I want but wondered if there was any problems with long file names etc. Does this work in the background?

Allway Sync - Does what I want but has a limit of 20,000 file syncs in a 30 day period without paying for a Pro licence.

Ideal software would be something that would sync both drives in the background, bi-directional, using a GUI (comandline I havnt a clue), making changes nearly as they happen.

Open to alternative suggestions as this is my first steps into networking and file backups/syncing.

LeperousDust · 15 Apr 2008 at 13:08

synctoy and robocopy are the best out there.

Robocopy is better, well more lightweight but you said you don't want to fart around with command line. If you don't want to put the initial effort in to learn this, then i've never had a problem with synctoy either, i've had pretty long filenames/folders but never tested it thouroughly.

Bubo · 15 Apr 2008 at 13:38

Syncback is what I use. I use it for periodic manual syncs of certain folders, but I think you can set it to run on a schedule.

jbloggs · 15 Apr 2008 at 15:32

LeperousDust said:
synctoy and robosync are the best out there.

Roboysync is better....

Do you not mean Robocopy...?

PCDave · 15 Apr 2008 at 15:35

i use syncback as well very handy and free to

LeperousDust · 15 Apr 2008 at 15:42

jbloggs said:
Do you not mean Robocopy...?

Yes of course i do

having, a dozy moment there i see

Shetlander · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:03

OK, tried Synctoy last night. All worked fine and out of over 20,000 files it complained about the file length of 4 of them. Other than that all went well.
I havnt put it into scheduled tasks yet but probably will later.

Does anybody know of a FREE program like Synctoy that actually tracks files changes and copies the differences as you go?

Greenlizard0 · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:46

I used to use SyncToy - but it doesn't make it perfect, I found that empty rogue folders were left on the back up volume. I use SnycBack which appears to be the guff

bledd · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:00

can't you just fix the filenames?

ideally, you should use filenames that are 8 characters long, (not a limitation anymore, but still)

Shetlander · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:02

Yes, thats what I did when it found them.

I think it might have had something to do with the fact they where files, within a folder, within a folder .....

Greenlizard0

Will have a look at Syncback. Thanks

LeperousDust · 16 Apr 2008 at 14:19

Synctoy can sync just files that have changed or added, one way or both?

Shetlander · 17 Apr 2008 at 09:20

But if Im not mistaken, Synctoy doesnt monitor file changes in the background. You either have to schedule it or tell it to do it.

I am looking for something that is free and does the above also.

LeperousDust · 17 Apr 2008 at 12:02

Oh i see, i'm unsure of anything that monitors, thats more resource intensive (obviously) robocopy would be better (albeit command line) set to a quick repeat schedule if you need things doing often, so you'll only ever be 30 mins or less out of date?