Complete backup of Data directory

[mallettron]

Hi Steve, is it possible to completely backup the data directory automatically from within Cumulus
Ive recently had a Windows XP problem where the only option was to reformat and I lost some info. I managed to get it back as I use the realtime bit in internet settings to save recent data onto a network drive but would really like something to automatically backup the data directory

Ronnie

[steve]

I don't really see general backing up as a function of Cumulus; it keeps backups of the 'active' files so that you can more easily "rewind" if you get bad data, but I think that beyond that it should just be part of your normal backup procedure. Alternatively, the Toolbox has a backup facility.

[Super-T]

I use SmartSync to do backups and it will backup all of the Cumulus files to a spare hard drive, even when Cumulus id running. No need to shut down to close the open files.
Plenty of other backup solutions will do the same for you nowadays.

[dhrandy]

I use GFI Backup (it's free) and backup my data files to my server. It runs fine with XP.

http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm

[Super-T]

does it back up open files or do you have to close C1 first?

[dhrandy]

does it back up open files or do you have to close C1 first?

Backup open Files using Volume Shadow Copy Service
You can back up files even if they are still open using Windows’ Volume Shadow Copy Service. (You must have administrative rights for this service to work as well as Windows XP with SP1 or above, or Windows Vista)

Source - http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm/backup-hm-features.htm

[RayProudfoot]

I reply on a BATch file in XP called every 6 hours by Scheduled Tasks, a free XP utility in Accessories-System Tools.

The data is copied to a USB memory stick that remains plugged in to the netbook running Cumulus. Here is the contents of the BATch file. The 'E' drive is the memory stick.

CLS
@ECHO OFF
ECHO.
ECHO This file backs up Cumulus Data Files...
ECHO.
CLS
xcopy c:\progra~1\cumulus\*.* e:\backup\cumulus1 /M /E /Y
echo Cumulus files copied...
echo
echo Process completed.
exit

The /M switch copies only files that have the archive switch set.
The /E switch copies all subfolders including any empty ones.
The /Y switch supresses the confirmation message to overwrite an existing file.

Simple, uses existing software and has never failed on me.

[daj]

I use Cumulus Toolbox and love it (ok, I wrote it )

It will backup all the data files every hour, or day and zips them up too. Backups are not over written so you can go back to a point in time if needed. Also, no point backing up files that are not needed in the folder.

Many equally useful solutions are mentioned above, so mine was shameless plug!

[mallettron]

Hi all, thanks for the replies

Ive tried the toolbox but found that I kept getting errors and Cumulus stopped for no reason (it never stopped when Toolbox wasn't installed) so I've uninstalled it and everything is fine again

Ive tried the XP backup but its a clumsy interface. I may loo for a portable app for backup

Thanks again

Ronnie

[daj]

Ive tried the toolbox but found that I kept getting errors and Cumulus stopped for no reason (it never stopped when Toolbox wasn't installed) so I've uninstalled it and everything is fine again

Oh dear -- the two are not linked in any way; shame you had a problem. I hope you find what you are looking for.