Good Software to Backup the SD Card?

[Smeech]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I was doing what rda990 said, but you either have to overwrite one by one or overwrite all--so if I have two MODIFIED files i'd have to overwrite all just to overwrite those two.. if that makes any sense.

I tried MML and DoubleTwist, and they (as you guys probably already know) only sync certain files.

So, I took takeshi's advice, and downloaded a backup program. I found a nice program called "Alway Sync" Allway Sync: Free File Synchronization, Backup, Data Replication, PC Sync Software, Freeware, File Sync, Data Synchronization Software

It's an easy to use program. When it opens up, you have one source/drive on the left, and another source/drive on the right.

On the left source/drive, I selected my mounted droid (drive G)

On the right source/drive, I selected a new folder I created on my HDD called DROID SYNC INFO

Then, I clicked "Analyze". It analyzed the two locations and came up with a warning stating that the differences between the two locations were significant, but that was normal if it was my first job. So I clicked "Ignore" and then proceeded to sync.

The sync job was as quick as any other program I have tried. Sync'd ALL files on SD card.

Then upon completion, I closed Alway Sync, unmounted my phone and used my droid to download a pic from the internet and played Snesoid and saved a few save states in one of the games.

I connected my phone back to PC, mounted the card and opened Alway Sync and clicked "Analyze". It indicated that I had one new file and 4 changed files. I clicked "Syncronize" and it copied over the new file and replaced the 4 changed files (save slots from Snesoid).

I haven't explored the other options of Alway Sync (like any auto-sync option or schedule option), but the program seems to have a lot of options. It is free, quick and easy.

Now I can use Astro to backup my apps to the card, and use Alway Sync to backup my SD card to PC without the need to replace files that already exist and have not been modified. In addition, when you open Alway Sync it comes up with the previous two drives/folders used, so in theory all you need to do is mount you phone, open the program and click analyze (or skip and just sync) --no need to find locations again (unless drive G changes for some reason, i.e. different USB port or a thumb drive plugged in)

[Flomaster]

thank you Smeech for the write up I am going to doing this now..

like you said when copying the entire root of the SdCard I dont want to over write my mp3s and photos just for a few new files.

-=Jason=-

[gentlefury]

In Astro you mean Application Backup/Manager? I just backed up all my apps using it.

But it doesnt back up all the data on your setup just the apps...

If you want to backup the whole phone what's the best way.

astro file manager backs up all yur apps too i've had to use it and it works great

Root, SPRecovery, Nandroid backup and just check everything, it will be a huge file but everything on your droid will be backed up to one folder which can be restored later if you brick your phone or have to exchange it for a manufacturer defect.

Backup Droid

Copy Backup to hard drive

Get new Droid

Restore....

It's as if you are on the same phone!!

[Smeech]

thank you Smeech for the write up I am going to doing this now..

like you said when copying the entire root of the SdCard I dont want to over write my mp3s and photos just for a few new files.

-=Jason=-

Exactly.

This program worked well for me, hope it does the same for you. It's a small program, doesn't take up space or seem to take up many resources.

[Smeech]

Flomaster, did the program work out for you?

[kwest12]

Cool thread guys, I'm gonna give that backup program a shot shortly. For now I think I'll just use the most sure fire way I know though.

I already have adb setup for use so I just open a command prompt, use the "cd" command to specify the directory I have the adb program in, and then use the command

adb pull /sdcard/ "C:\Directory where I\keep my files\yes spaces can be used as long as you use the quotes like I did here"

FYI, you shouldn't have to mount your card to do this: I had mine in PC mode when I did it, so yeah.... (actually you might have to have your phone in pc mode to even use adb.... not certain of that though).

It's a more foolproof way than trying to do a highlight all, copy/paste job. It grabs everything on your sdcard and throws it in the folder you've specified.

This actually may be a good way to check whether the other program is getting everything it should be too: just do a backup each way and then compare to make sure they're the exact same size (there's probably a better way to check but I'm not gonna worry that much about it lol)

EDIT1: I did a search for Allway Sync to see if it was the best option and I found this page (read the comments too, they're quite insightful) : http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...on-utility.htm
It looks like it was updated very recently (3/1/11) and the comments are still quite active. I think it convinced me that "FreeFileSync" is going to be a better choice for me. Thanks again!

EDIT2: I found a fatal flaw with the adb pull method: it leaves out folders with the "." in front of them. FreeFileSync picks those files up. Just b/c I'm curious, does anyone know how to make adb grab the files with the period in front of them?