Failed backup - yet again

[speedyfastcat]

Every time I attempt to back up files, which takes forever, at the very end I always get a message: backup completed but some files were skipped! What files? What does skipped mean? Is this a valid backup? If files are skipped, does this compromise backup? As usual, MS does not provide any help or direction after that error message which is done in RED which would indicate that this is serious and dire! No fixes, no suggestions, no ideas where to go to resolve this matter (why am I not surprised?).
So, dear Forum, can anyone please help me with this. As I said, it is an ongoing and continuing issues.
Many thanks ...

 

[dja]

I no longer use MS backup as it failed once too often. The files it FAILED to back up were jpg files. It backed up the folders but not the pictures although other documents were ok. Fortunately I had the Raw images backed up elsewhere.

I suggest you use a third party product. I use EaseUS Todo Backup Free

 

[kado897]

Hi speedyfastcat and welcome to Seven Forums. The usual cause of this is deleting a folder that is specified in the backup. The cure for it is to go through the Backup Configuration again.

 

[speedyfastcat]

Sorry for delay in responding.
I may have neglected to have replies emailed to me.
What is a backup configuration?
Who is deleting folder?
Why?
What folder is being deleted?
Is this folder important?
Who specifies this folder in the backup?
Why?
Thanks ...

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Sorry for delay in responding.
I may have neglected to have replies emailed to me.
What is a backup configuration?
Who is deleting folder?
Why?
What folder is being deleted?
Is this folder important?
Who specifies this folder in the backup?
Why?
Thanks ...

One thing at a time.

What are you trying to back up? Windows? Personal data? "Everything"?

Generally speaking: you have control over what is backed up--the backup configuration.

I'm guessing you are using the built-in Windows Backup? There are simpler and more easily understood alternatives. Many would say they are superior as well.

If you don't understand the application you are using, it may be time to quit using it.

 

[speedyfastcat]

I'm sorry you didn't read my earlier query.
Factory restore backup, including Windows, has been made.
Scheduled backup is for files and data.
What do you mean by "everything"?
I am doing a basic back-up under Backup and Restore.
I do know how to back-up, your sarcasm to the contrary, but I will admit that the instructions to do the MS backup leave a lot to be desired. I haven't been able to locate a partial vs. complete backup instructions. I'm sure it's there; it is very difficult to maneuver around MS.
Thank you for that very helpful statement that it may be time for me to stop using a particular application since I clearly don't understand it!
If you are able to disclose the names of these simpler applications, more easily understood, and superior (always a good thing) alternatives you are referring to, it would greatly be appreciated. After all, those of us who are in need of simplicity and easy to comprehend applications would find those alternatives to be ever so helpful.
Thank you.

 

[SIW2]

If you are trying to backup files and folders ( not an image of your drive), you can't do better than Karen's Replicator

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Speedy:

I was not being sarcastic in the least. The MS tool is a first generation tool and is not refined or well-presented to the user.

Simpler applications to back up Windows (eg, your C partition):

Macrium would be my first choice. It's a free download.

Acronis would be my second choice. It is free if you have a Western Digital or Seagate hard drive.

Easiest to backup personal data files (as opposed to Windows), not using an "image":

Synctoy or Karen's Replicator or Second Copy. The first 2 are free. The last one is free for 30 days and $30 if you want to use it thereafter.

I would urge you not to rely on images to back up your personal data, but images are the only way to back up Windows per se.

I'd also advise you to not rely on an automated schedule. Do it manually. Maybe daily for your data and weekly, monthly, or quarterly for Windows itself. Manual backups keep you from being complacent and keep your head in the game.

And make full images rather than incrementals.

 

[Brds7t7]

Hello speedyfastcat,

Freefilesync is also another good file backup tool.

FreeFileSync | Free Security & Utilities software downloads at SourceForge.net

 

[speedyfastcat]

Thanks for your reply.
Why do you recommend this product?

 

[Brds7t7]

Speedy,

Have a look at these links. It's late here and my bed is calling me.

See what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX37AifCJ6Q

FreeFileSync - CNET Download.com

 

[Brds7t7]

By the way, alll the products Ignatz mentioned are all very good. It just comes down to personal choice really.

 

[kado897]

Sorry for delay in responding.
I may have neglected to have replies emailed to me.
What is a backup configuration?
Who is deleting folder?
Why?
What folder is being deleted?
Is this folder important?
Who specifies this folder in the backup?
Why?
Thanks ...

You need to go to Control Panel->System and Security->Backup and Restore and press the change settings button.



Just run through the wizard and everything should be back to normal. Sometimes when you add, remove or rename folders that are in the backup set Windows Backup doesn't understand what is going on.

I see that Burdus has recommended FreeFileSync and pointed you to my video. That would be my choice as an alternative to the Windows Backup for data files. For images I recommend Macrium Reflect Free. The link is in my signature.

 

[whs]

I have made the experience that many of those backup programs - especially the ones built into Windows - do strange things that I do not understand. That is why I just copy my data manually to an external drive or make an image of the data partition (on those systems where I have a seperate data partition) using free Macrium.

I also recommend to enable restore points on data partitions and allocate sufficient space for about 10 restore points. That is often handy if you lost files. They are easy to recover with Shadow Explorer

 

[kado897]

Shadow Explorer is good but Windows has built in support for restore points on data volumes using the Previous Versions tab in the file and folder properties dialogue.

 

[whs]

Keith, previous version is fine if you still have a version of the file. But what do you do when the file has been totally deleted - e.g. by accident.

 

[kado897]

Hi Wolfgang. You go to Previous Versions of the containing folder or the drive if a root folder has been deleted.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
This is one of those cases where I REALLY would spend the 40 or so USD on a commercial backup product.
I don't know about you but in my case the DATA I have stored on various computers is worth FAR MORE than the entire Computer(s) and some of it would be nearly impossible to re-create or take hours or even weeks to do so.

For example I can't imagine having to rip over 1000 CD's again (assuming I can even find them all), re-create photo libraries, music folders etc. to say nothing of important documents like Income Tax statements etc.

the 45 or so USD I spent on Acronis IMO was money EXTREMELY WELL SPENT.

The MS built in backup gives mixed results for different people -- it's slightly better in the new W8 Consumer edition but still nothing like as good as a decent 3rd party product.

The other advantages these commercial products give you is that they can do what's known as Incremental Backups -- that is for example at the end of the day when you run a backup only data that's changed is backed up.

You can exclude particular types of files such as temporary one's or particular directories.

These types of backups also can make BOOTABL:E restore images of your OS so if your whole system becomes non bootable - simply insert the backup bootable media and restore.

Ms Backup is better than nothing - but its results appear to be too unpredictable to rely on it completely.

BTW also when taking backups ALWAYS have more than one copy - HDD's are cheap these days -- recovering lost data ISN'T. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[whs]

Hi Wolfgang. You go to Previous Versions of the containing folder or the drive if a root folder has been deleted.

Understand Keith. But that may have some undesirable effects. If you go to a higher level folder - e.g. the root folder - you may reset a lot of other files that were updated in the meantime. With Shadow Explorer you can pick the exact file you want to restore. I think that is an advantage.

Try it once, it is really easy. You just navigate to the file in question in the shadow and right click on it. Then you can retrieve it.

 

[kado897]

Yes I also use Shadow Explorer.

If you double click the previous version for a folder or drive it doesn't restore, it opens in Windows Explorer.