Looking for freeware for file transfer....

NHP · Rated PG Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 6 Location: PA

We have a new external hard drive and we would like to transfer the majority of data from our home computer over to this new hard drive to free up space on the computer.

Major files that we would like to tranfer are pictures, videos and all our itunes songs/vid.

So my question is what is the best way to go about doing this? Should I just copy the files over to the new drive or are there any freeware programs out there that wil make thsi even eaiser???

Also what do I need to watch out for in terms of moving the itunes files over to an external hard drive?

Oh and it might be good for us to just back-up the computer as a whole if there is software out there for that and you think that is the best option...

DeathStar · Posted: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:02:59 Post Subject:

What operating system are you using?

NHP · Rated PG Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 6 Location: PA

Windows XP Home Edition

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:14:41 Post Subject:

Well the copy function in Windows or other operating systems should work just fine. But personally, being the command line interface lover I am, I use rsync. It's a Linux/UNIX application, but can be used on Windows with the use of Cygwin.

I use it to keep files synced between my mom's Windows work computers and my home Linux server for backups. It's fast for file transfers and very good to use when you want to keep the external drive in sync with your computer if you're using it for backups.

Here's the howto for the Windows rsync I used:
http://www.gaztronics.net/rsync.php

NHP · Rated PG Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 6 Location: PA

Not looking to go that route.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:58:34 Post Subject:

SyncBack Free Edition...use The Google and try it out

**BeerCheeze** · Posted: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:22:06 Post Subject:

SyncBack looks like a good choice.

OOO And B|F if you ever recommend Cygwin to anyone again, I will find you cover you in butter and honey take you to the zoo and drop you off in the bear cage.... Laughing

I HATE Cygwin! Worst software EVER!

You want to do unix commands in Windows? Use : http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/. You want to run a Unix/Linux program in windows... DON'T!!! Run in on Unux/Linux!

**Jason** · Posted: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:16:29 Post Subject:

Hi NHP!

I use SuncBack as well. The interface may look like it has too many options, but it does make things very easy. You can setup a schedule for backing up files, so it will automatically do it weekly, monthly, whatever... and only overwrite files that changed or add new files. That saves a bunch of time over copying everything again.

Not sure on iTunes copying... Still never used that and never owned an iPod! Laughing

**BeerCheeze** · Posted: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:04:14 Post Subject:

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:00:37 Post Subject: