Some Backup tips . . .

H

Haysu

New member
We got into a neat topic on another thread, but so as not to be off topic, I'll post here anew.

I use 4 backups. "Good Lord!," you're probably thinking . . . here's why.

1. I use CardBackup from jkware to backup at 5AM and 5PM daily, to two separate SD Card folders.

2. Since I use TealLock to protect private data such as contacts address book, calendar and spreadhseets, I EXCLUDE them from the the jkware backups. There's no point having protected information if it's right there on the SD Card backup should you lose the Palm. Instead I back those up using TealBackup, which does it in 128 bit blowfish encryption. They are backed up automatically at 4AM, and the other one is set for "manual."

3. I don't recommend "compressed" or "zipped" backups, because if on restore anything gets "mangled," not only do you back up the "mangle" on future backups - you also hotsync the nastiness to your Desktop folders.

As of now, the T5 is having backup problems with most or all backup programs, and the LifeDrive doesn't seem capable of it at all. This is discussed on the Tealpoint forum at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tealtalk/

Just wanted to throw these out for anyone using a T-Series or older Palm with an SD Slot.
 
I use FlyBackup, and though it compresses the backups to save space, it has a function to verify the integrity of a backup file if you need to restore from it. Whether that actually does what it says is unknown, as I have never had a problem with it, not yet anyways.

As a safeguard I also backup my SD card contents (selectively) on my PC in case the SD cards get's toasted somehow.
 
I have the freeware "Inner Backup" on my SD card. It seems to just copy every file in RAM (I don't think it copies the a68k files, but it wouldn't have to anyway) to a folder on the SD card. I haven't tested its "restore" abilities yet, but I back that folder up to my PC anyway and could use Pilot Install to dump the files back in if all does not go well.

Once my Zodiac arrives and I have my TE's data on it, I'll hard-reset the TE and test Inner Backup's restore function. If it doesn't work properly, no big worries--I'll get something else for the Z.

Inner Backup is pretty bare-bones--it creates a backup when you tap the Backup button, gives you the option to delete a backup archive, and has a Restore button, but no ability to schedule automatic backups and no partial-backup option. You press the button and away it goes, copying the whole lot to the card. But it's freeware.
 
So, I have tried using multiple backup programs and if I try more than one, I get an error message. Hummmmm, now I need to pursue this and figure out why. I have Tealback up, backup plus, and previously used backup buddy. Are there special tricks to use more than one application that I am overlooking? I got a error message with backup buddy and stopped using it. I tried using Innerback up and I got an error message as well...hummm, guess I am clueless here, maybe I am expecting too much in what mutliple backup applications will do for me....will appreciate all or any input.
C
 
Carol - you're far from clueless - the programs may not be up to par! Your T5 will bring out EXTRA special little "snags" for extra fun. Read the Tealpoint User Forum if you have chance, on T5/LD backup hitches.

BackupBuddy was a huge waste of time and TRASH for me. Others disagree. jkware's CardBackup "glitched" once on me but still restored okay, and has been flawless every other time. TealBackup glitched once (on a test) because I did not disable all hacks first (it's picky about those!). But both work, both have been tested with hard resets.

That's why I use these two, and why other people use what they're using. We have to remember that 1) all of us combined use a hell of a lot of differing programs under different situations, with different launchers and hacks and JS/JF and everything else. 2) T5 owners may have, as I said above, "extra snags." 3) LifeDrive: you're outta luck, at least so far.

You've got to use what you like - for me its CardBackup and TealBackup - but somone else might LOVE what they've got, as these other posts reflect. I'd be curous how other apps function on the T5, if at all.

My only recommendation would be test them (as you and others on here have) and see if they actually work. It's a little painful - but it's the only way you'll really know. You're not doing anything wrong - you're just finding shortcomings in the proggies with respect to your individual unit and app useage(s).
 
I've always been surprised that Palm never included a card backup program as standard. The last Palm I used was a IIIc and I've used some model of Clie ever since. They all come with foolproof, easy to use backup program standard. It doesn't have some of the things I'd like such as incremental backup and selective restore but it's a good way to always keep a backup available and save yourself from disaster. Unfortunately, when my present TJ37 dies, I'll be faced with looking at a Palm machine as a replacement so I've been interested in these backup threads to see what's available.
 
I use FlyBackup, because it's NOT free, which means if it screws up on me there is a better chance I can get support for it. It also allows scheduling by days, hours, or an interval of time. It maybe isn't the best program, and it's pretty basic, but it works great.

I have used it to restore my T|E from the SD card, as a test, and even once I when I was not near my desk and if it had not worked, I would have been screwed, because I had a spec sheet I NEEDED to access in a PDF. I had been working on a text file in WordToGo and when I went to save and exit, something in the version of DocsToGo that came with my hand-held crashed my T|E, HARD! And I mean everything was wiped in the RAM when DocsToGo crashed! It was bad, but I knew I had a backup, so I hard reset again, just to be sure everything was gone, and after I set-up the Palm's digitizer and preferences I opened FlyBackup from the SD card. I checked my last backup file's integrity and it said it was fine, so I restored it and about a minute later, and after an automatic soft reset, everything was back, like nothing had happened. I was very happy.

I agree that these backup features should be standard.
 
I use both FlyBackup and Backup Buddy VFS Pro.

I've got (what I feel is) a "sweet" set up right now that's working great for me.

Here's what it is:

1) FlyBackup is used as a manual backup utility each day after work. I also SAVE one backup at all times and then replace the oldest each time I backup. Note that I have FlyBackup copied to the card so that I will have my backup in case of a hard reset. Also, I have it (the backups) password protected (for what it's worth).

2) Backup Buddy VFS Pro is used as my "scheduled" backup. I have it set to backup at 2 am every day and only keep one copy of it. It is also encrypted. I use it as my "scheduled" back up because it actually allows me to backup (scheduled) even though it is copied to the card ...........really nice! I also have it as being "allowed" to run even if my handheld is locked. Ergo, if it's 2 am and my handheld is locked, BBVFS can still perform it's thing.

This has been an excellent set up for me. Luckily I have not needed to test the "restore" function yet on my Tungsten T3. I did have the same set up on my Palm m515 though and tested the restore features almost every other day .....lol. They worked fine.

Later,

Syno
 
I finally have my backup situation taken care of. I am successfully :D using:
TealBackup
Backup Plus
Backup Man
FlyBackUp.
Eureka!!!!! :D
C
 
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