21 replies to this topic

[shadragon]

XCOPY is what I used to use to transfer all data files newer than a certain date from the data drive on my computer at the lab to the removeable drive I carried back to Catalina. I then used XCOPY to copy the same files to the data drive on my home computer. Worked like a charm.

While we're talking backup methods... why isn't there a Laplink like capability built into Microsoft's OSes so you can only copy files that are newer onto a backup drive.

XCOPY <source path> <destination path> /D will only copy newer files or files that do not already exist in the destination. So:

XCOPY C:\ E:\ /D /E /V /C /H /K /Y would copy all files on C: drive to the E: drive including all sub-folders, verify the file copied correctly, do folders and sub-folders, continue on errors, copy correct file permissions and not ask if you want to over-write the destination file if it exists.

To see the rest of the commands available you can type:

XCOPY /? to see all options in any command window.

Having said that, if you have W2003, Vista or higher you can use Robocopy which has the same capability as XCOPY but much more flexibility including retry on error, copies open files and bandwidth control.

To see if you have it type robocopy /? in your command window and see if it is installed.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Thankfully, the root of Windows is still DOS. It gives some of us old-school-types the ability to use things we've known for a loooooong time!

[peterbj7]

I had completely forgotten about Laplink, which I used to use all the time in those days. I don't think I ever used Xcopy, though I will have a look at Robocopy. But Bill, you ought to have a look at Beyond Compare - you get side-by-side displays of two directory structures just as used to happen with Laplink, coupled with some very powerful options and routines that you can automate. Ever since I first discovered it I've used nothing else. It isn't free, but they give such an extended period of "trial' that you can get away with not ever paying for it. I'm going to though, because it is such a well designed and user-friendly routine.

[Scubatooth]

Thankfully, the root of Windows is still DOS. It gives some of us old-school-types the ability to use things we've known for a loooooong time!

Especially when the whiz bang software solutions are expensive and dont do the job correctly.

[shadragon]

There are many free alternatives. Karens Replicator is free and syncs dirs. This option from Microsoft SyncToy does as well.

XCOPY will not replicate file deletions, which is good and bad. However, there are lots of options for the low or no budget PC user.

Sourceforge.net is a great place to start for Open Source software of any type.

[Scubatooth]

Simon

Im aware of sourceforge, and have gotten alot of freeware/trailware there. Im just looking for a good way to move files around from one External HDD to another and verify there been copied. Biggest problem im having with memeo active sync is its not copying all of the files as when i go to check the file volumes in the folder the counts are off. that and a couple of the files on a copy in windows explorer getting a redundent cyclic error (yet the file is not corrupt)and it kills the copy.

[shadragon]

Hey tooth,

Karens Replicator will sync drives. However, if you want to do it the old fashioned way...

XCOPY <source drive:\> <destination drive:\> /D /E /V /C /G /H /K /O /Y

or

ROBOCOPY <source drive:\> <destination drive:\> /COPY:DATSOU /W:10 /R:100 /MIR

This will copy all files regardless of type. /MIR in robocopy will "mirror" a drive directory structure exactly.

Before doing that wipe the destination drive then you are sure to be starting on the right foot. If you do not do that, these commands will still work fine.

The only other time I have seen source and destination drive sizes being different after doing the above was when someone tried to copy several 4GB+ sized files from NTFS to a FAT32 partition.