Solved Using xcopy tools to transfer desktop files/folders from a second HD

[loninappleton]

That's the best subject line I could muster.


I have had some HD failures after a power interuption. One was hosed and I reformated that.
A clone HD to HD was in progress when the power failed. The target disk which still has data can transfer files off of it. They are visible to Explorer. But Desktop on the Target is the problem. I retrieved the DOS command to view the Desktop on the second HD.

What are the DOS commands to scroll through pages of directory in DOS mode? I can never seem to recall or find the sequence of C:\DIR whatever and the command to stop the page roll and then continue to see the files and folders with the space bar or key to scroll a list.

Once that is done, xcopy or robocopy are the only tools mentioned in what I could find.

I need the steps to get through this and extract what is missing from the Desktop on that second (target) disk.

xcopy and robocopy are obscure commands to me. I tried using them years ago but nothing came of it. I don't remember any success at all.

Is there an ISO program run from a CD that can display both HD's and automate the xcopy tasks?

A lot of questions here but the old DOS format is the only solution.

 

[br4]

To pause the DIR command after each screen, use /P .

Here's a URL you might find helpful: MS-DOS and Windows command line dir command

I use either Syncback or Syncexp to copy files from one directory to another. I have them set up to only copy files that have changed from what is in the destination folder.

Hope this helps.

 

[samuria]

Robocopy is simple just use robocopy c:\folder d:\folder /mir that mirrors all the files from one drive to the other with all folders

 

[SIW2]

that's the best subject line i could muster.


I have had some hd failures after a power interuption. One was hosed and i reformated that.
A clone hd to hd was in progress when the power failed. The target disk which still has data can transfer files off of it. They are visible to explorer. But desktop on the target is the problem. I retrieved the dos command to view the desktop on the second hd.

What are the dos commands to scroll through pages of directory in dos mode? I can never seem to recall or find the sequence of c:\dir whatever and the command to stop the page roll and then continue to see the files and folders with the space bar or key to scroll a list.

Once that is done, xcopy or robocopy are the only tools mentioned in what i could find.

I need the steps to get through this and extract what is missing from the desktop on that second (target) disk.

Xcopy and robocopy are obscure commands to me. I tried using them years ago but nothing came of it. I don't remember any success at all.

Is there an iso program run from a cd that can display both hd's and automate the xcopy tasks?

A lot of questions here but the old dos format is the only solution.

View attachment XCopyTool.zip

 

[Paul Black]

Hi SIW2,

View attachment 409415

Great little tool!
I like the way you can hover over the switches to see what each one does.
Here's the link if anybody wants more info => Simplify file management with the XCopy Tool.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

"if you don't use it, you loose it"


If I forget the switches for any DOS command, here's what I do:


Run----CMD----Enter


At the command prompt type the name of the command like this:
XCOPY /? > C:\xcopy.txt


That command line will print out all the possible switches to the xcopy.txt file in the root directory of C:.
It's over a page, so you might want to print it out.



You could do the same thing with the Dir command.


Once I've done all that, I print out the .txt file, and drop the printout in a file, for future reference.


DOS is still very useful, if one can remember how to use it.


Cheers Mates!

 

[loninappleton]

This will get me started. What is frustrating is the constant errors of one comma out of place, misspellings etc especially in paths to the desktop. I can't remember the path now.

C:\
cd D:
D:\users\lon\desktop or something
goes to the desktop.

Then D:\DIR /p (?)

And doing it backward from D: to C:

I will look at xcopy tool and the other replies. Will not have quick replies myself. Baby steps more like it.

The disk is almost good to use, just won't boot. I wondered if a simple transfer of Win32 folder from C: to D: would get me out of the jam.

 

[loninappleton]

I always have a lot of questions. Maybe I'm jumping the gun. I looked at xcopytools and it shows what I would see in Explorer, not showing any way to make the path to the D:\ desktop folder info I'm seeking. Is xcopy tool a sheel of DOS or

does it just run in Win7 with it's nice interface?


I'll practice with the DOS pause control to see if I can at least find what I want back.

 

[SIW2]

not showing any way to make the path to the D:\ desktop folder info I'm seeking

Click Select Source (top left) and browse to the source folder you want to copy.

Click Select Destination (top right) and browse to the destination to copy it to.

 

[loninappleton]

I can make a screen shot of what I see if needed but I don't see how to make the path in the right way that DOS does
for the xcopy program which is (remembering) C:\users\myname\desktop but on the d: drive.

 

[SIW2]

Do you understand how to use a browse dialog?

Click Select Source

A browse dialog opens

Browse to d:\users\myname\desktop

 

[loninappleton]

I'll see if I can figure it out.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi loninappleton,

I'll see if I can figure it out.

It really is quite simple, just follow what SIW2 has said below . . .

Click Select Source (top left) and browse to the source folder you want to copy.

Click Select Destination (top right) and browse to the destination to copy it to.

Do you understand how to use a browse dialog?

Click Select Source

A browse dialog opens

Browse to d:\users\myname\desktop

I hope this helps!

 

[loninappleton]

Aside from reading instructions, here is what I have done with the xcopy tool.



Unzip the zip file.


a file xcopytool.hta html application is unzipped

using Explorer from the Start menu gives several options shown

xcopytool.exe > That winks open a DOS window and closes

run xcopytool.hta > gives the actual program box in the screen shot attached

selection of source as D: gives what is shown in the screen shot

I'm writng this out as a notes file to save for such times as I ever have
to do it again. But if there's any more Q and A to do on it, I'm just going
to something other than xcopytool.



Not being lazy about it. Between Q and A in this thread I've used DOS to find the desktop
on drive D: After inspecting that I see that saved files can be replaced with new (program downloads
etc.) and the large folder I sought is not listed. Perhaps it was a shortcut. I'm looking
at a search tool called Everything which works well in C: to find misplaced things like .lnk shortcut
files. Right now I don't know if it is an effective tool for D:.


I'll mark the thread solved soon since I'm looking at other tools than xcopy or xcopytool.

 

[SIW2]

What is xcopytool.exe? I have never seen that.


You are almost there. Select the source you wish to copy ( as in your screenshot)

Then select destination to copy it to.

A window will pop up asking you to confirm the source and destination.

Then you can tick any of the switches you want ( those are the little boxes).

Then click OK for xcopy to do the job.

I don't know how it could be any simpler.

 

[loninappleton]

One additional note.


After closing this thread I had some practice with a program called Everything by Voidtools. It is full featured and has done what I wanted to do which is to simply drag and drop from the D: back
to the C: drive and also give access to desktop on D:


The Everything tool is free at:


voidtools


Run Everything on D: open a Window for C: and drag and drop.

 

[SIW2]

I have been using everything for years.