Solved Problems getting auto backups to work in new Win 7 installation

[Doctor Ed]

I've got a 1 week old i7 running Windows 7 Pro and have mostly got it set up nicely (encountering the usual glitches and hiccups along the way).

In my previous box, I used Freebyte Backup ("FBBackup") to back up all new files to a different drive once a day in the middle of the night. The app was executed automatically by Freebyte Task Scheduler, which is freeware, is easy to run, and has a very small footprint. Worked great with zero maintenance for 5 years.

So natch I set up the same system on my new computer, but it won't work. Well, it did work once, but hasn't since. FBBackup works fine when executed manually, and the scheduler will run it manually too, but the scheduler won't run it automatically. Maybe it's because I'm not logged in when the backup time comes, or maybe it's because of some mysterious missing authorizations. I'm still doing tests to try to find out.

They say if you can't solve a problem, change the problem. So I decided to try Windows Task Scheduler to run FBBackup. I wrote a .bat file to run FBBackup, with the right parameters. It runs fine manually. I set up Windows Task Scheduler to run it in the middle of the night, and even set options to 'Run whether logged on or not' and to 'Wake the computer'.

The scheduled time to run hasn't come yet, but I decided to do a manual test. When I go into Windows Task Scheduler try to run the task manually by clicking on Run, nothing happens. A bad sign, I would say.

So this seemingly simple issue is starting to get complicated. I'm starting to resort to random measures to try to fix it.

I suspect the OS is still partially locked down because of Windows permissions and admin-related stuff, but I am not sure what exactly the state is or what to do about it. (The computer has only one account, and it is an admin account.)

Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Tookeri]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums!

I did a test and it didn't run here either. But when I changed to "Run only when user is logged on" it did run, so give that a try.

 

[Doctor Ed]

Thanks.

So I selected 'Run only when user is logged on' and now I can run it manually. Weird.

And now that I can run it manually from Scheduler, I see some errors are coming up that are path related and another one related to the app. I will work on those and maybe it will solve the problems.

But eventually this needs to run unattended, when the computer is dormant...

Ed

 

[Doctor Ed]

OK, the backup prog is set up nicely, and executes as required when I manually click Run in Windows Task Scheduler. 'Run only when user is logged on' is checked.

However, the prog won't run automatically when the appointed time is reached. I tested it when the monitor was on and the computer was active, as well as when the monitor had turned off and the computer was not yet asleep.

I don't know what to do next.

 

[Tookeri]

I did a test and set a trigger to start a certain time and it worked. So something must be wrong in your case.

Under Action where you define what program to run, try and also enter a value for the field "Start in (optional)"

Don't know if this would help, but I sometimes use this as the first code in a batch file to make sure I'm in the right directory regardless of how the batch file was launched and the "start in" folder:

:: Set current directory to where this batch file is stored
cd /d %~dp0

 

[Doctor Ed]

Thanks, Tookeri.

Last night after Win Task Scheduler failed to run, I reset the trigger time to 4:30 AM and rebooted the computer. Rebooting sometimes solves problems. Then I deliberately ignored the Task Scheduler and went to bed. This morning I noticed that it had executed the backup task (!!) at the appointed hour, exactly as it should.

I also had the Freebyte Task Scheduler set to run, but it failed.

One scheduler is all I need, of course. So I will abandon the FB scheduler and go with the Win version.

Will it work tomorrow too? Time will tell.

I appreciate your help. Will update tomorrow.

 

[Doctor Ed]

Don't know if this would help, but I sometimes use this as the first code in a batch file to make sure I'm in the right directory regardless of how the batch file was launched and the "start in" folder:

:: Set current directory to where this batch file is stored
cd /d %~dp0

That is useful to know, and I will make a note of it.

But I have changed the way the task is executed. Instead of running a .bat file containing a line with the executable and the arguments, now I execute the .exe file and put the necessary arguments into the field for that in Win Task Scheduler. Might make no difference, but I don't want to tempt fate by changing things now.

 

[Doctor Ed]

Windows Task Scheduler did a successful backup again last night. This is two nights in a row now. Success.

It is still frustrating that FB Task Scheduler won't work on my new box, because it should, and won't. I like to think that I control what happens on my computer. But I think I will give up on it anyway.

With that, I think this issue is done.

 

[Tookeri]

Yes, sometimes we are forced to use alternative solutions without fully understanding why. That's computers sometimes

Great you found a solution that works!