Backup Fail

The way I have it setup:

I created a folder in Documents on the C: Drive
_FreeFileSync-Jobs
This folder has to remain unchanged or the jobs wont work, the jobs that are asked to run will refer to and rely on the jobs in this folder.

Any FreeFileSync jobs, FreeFileSync Batch jobs or RealTimeSync jobs I create, I save to the Documents\_FreeFileSync-Jobs folder.

On the backup drive I have created a folder _Backups or _FreeFileSync-Backups
In the _Backups folder I have other folders which are related to the backup jobs I have created:

• External drive:\_backups\_FreeFileSync-Jobs folder
  • _backups\_FreeFileSync-Jobs\ (I back that up also so I can use them again if I reinstall)
  • _backups\Documents\
  • _backups\Clients\
  • _backups\Graphic Design\
  • _backups\Pictures\

etc
etc etc

• A FreeFileSync job is a job you create for a manual backup process.
• A FreeFileSync Batch job is a job that contains multiple FreeFileSync jobs that you can also run manually.
• A RealTimeSync job is a container that is used to create a real time sync for FreeFileSync jobs or FreeFileSync Batch jobs, or both at the same time.

When you click on a RealTimeSync job, it is loaded as a running process. So for the entire session you are in with Windows, the files will be monitored until you reboot and run the RealTimeSync job again on next boot.

• You can automate this by adding the RealTimeSync job to your startup folder and it will be activated when Windows starts.
• You backup jobs will start to be monitored in real time when Windows starts … or
• You can create a task in Task Scheduler to do the same, however the startup folder is the easiest and works the same way.

@antspants. I think he is using manual sync right now. He said he backups his folders once a week. I did not know how to tell him how to set up realtime sync. Thus, your name was mentioned.
@kodakjack Do you want to set up realtime sync or continue to manually sync those folders?

Even mentioning RealTimeSynch is something new. It gets downloaded with FreeFileSynch, but its use is not covered. I guess I’m OK with doing it manually for now. I can always get into a more automated later.
The help I’ve gotten here has been great. I can’t thank you enough.

kodakjack said:

Even mentioning RealTimeSynch is something new. It gets downloaded with FreeFileSynch, but its use is not covered.

Click to expand...

It’s easy, I can teach you.

RealTimeSync explination


Tutorial:


Any questions, please do ask.

Rather than re-setup jobs in RealTimeSync, you open (File/Open) an existing FreeFileSync job/jobs/batch job, and they will automatically be added to the RealTimeSync window so you can save it (File/Save As) as a RealTimeSync job.

You then add it, or a shortcut to the RealTimeSync file into your startup folder

Create the job and save it, open the folder where you saved the job.
Right click on the job and select Create Shortcut.
Cut (or Copy/Paste) the shortcut and paste it as follows:

Press Windows+R and enter shell:startup" into the Run window and press enter.
Your Startup folder will open.
Cut (or Copy/Paste) the shortcut and paste it into the Startup folder to launch the RealTimeSync job when your PC starts

It’s best to save all jobs you create (FreeFileSync Jobs\FreeFileSync Batch Jobs\RealTimeSync Jobs) into the same folder for your convenience.
As I mentioned in my Structure posts, perhaps \Documents\_FreeFileSync-Jobs\
I place the _ before the folder name so it stays at the top of my Documents folder

When I last used FreeFileSynch, I ended up reformatting the SSD drive and using the program as described. Today, I wanted to do the same thing and it told me the files were corrupted. I used the Tools for that drive and it says it cannot fix the drive. I guess it's junk and I'll have to get another one.

If that SSd is one of the many cheap no-name drives floating around out there, I highly suggest you replace it with a quality drive. If it is a name brand drive it should have a warranty.