Mirror backup question

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drtim
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:36 pm

Mirror backup question

Post by drtim »

I am upgrading one of my hard drives. I will be moving content from that drive to the new drive and removing the old drive. Thus the source drive is changing, but the destination drive stays the same. I am doing a mirror backup. The backup is over 6TB. Can this be done easily, as in simply changing the backup source drive in settings, but retaining the same destination drive, without having Backup4all think that it is a brand new backup, and thus a very long first time backup? Thank you.

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

You need to change the source drive and keep the same drive letter, so that Backup4all will consider them the same sources.
Also make sure the files are "cloned" not just copied, so that none of the files/folders attributes will be changed when you copy them (for example the creation date).
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

drtim
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:36 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by drtim »

If I change the source drive to the same drive letter, does it matter if one was an 8TB drive and the other is a much larger drive? I am not familiar with cloning files, any simple directions or tools to use? Thanks.

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

The source drive size is not important for Backup4all. Changing the source drive with a larger one will not affect Backup4all.
You need to find a computer specialist to assist you moving/copying the files from one drive to another without changing any dates/attributes.
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

drtim
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:36 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by drtim »

I am going to try an application for cloning data. I will not be using this for backup purposes; rather for cloning purposes. I have been using your Backup4all software for years and am happy with it. I am sure I am able to learn how to properly clone. Do you think this is a good decision? Thanks for your input.

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

If that hard drive does not have system files on it, you can also use Backup4all to restore the backup from destination to the empty new drive. The original files will be restored.
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

drtim
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:36 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by drtim »

Yes, that sounds like that work. That is my situation. Do you have a tutorial on this topic by chance? Thanks.

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Mirror backup question

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

The restore is simple.
Just connect the new empty hard drive and assign it the drive letter of the old source drive (which is now disconnected). Then open Backup4all and restore the backup in the original location.
Press Restore button and then press Finish to start the restore process.
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

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