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Backup software

Hi experts. I am desperately seeking some guidance from an experienced user. I have been struggling with my new Jamin for 2 weeks and I have had to do more hard resets in those two weeks than I did on my old Palm PDA's in 5 years. So I realise I need some backup software that saves the whole of my memory, so that I can do a simple & relatively quick restore. What utilities do you recommend I consider?

Sprite Backup.

I recommend SpB Backup

thank you very much for your recommendations. I will try the spb backup and see how that goes.

It's Sprite for me. I've heard of some issues with Spb but who knows. I'd investigate why so many hard resets. I've had my device for 4 months and haven't done one - and yes, I do mess with it and instal loads of software all the time. Perhaps it's because I've got Sprite !!! On my previous device I had one hard reset and Sprite re-installed EVERYTHING to precisely as it was.

back up soft
I use also sprite back up, I back my device on the sd card and also at my desktop.

SPB Backup
I use SPB and have done full recoveries and restores in a totally perfect fashion from it.
1 hard reset, 5 minutes later, device restored, resync for data since last backup and done.
perfect.

Restore a back up after ROM upgrade?

I'm currently running a cooked wm 6.1 ROM, if I want to upgrade is there a way to backup/restore my non-rom programs and PIM info to a new ROM using sprite or spb? I heard sprite allows you to restore across ROM/devises but I looked through all options and there wasn't one that I could see about only backing up non-rom info. I hope this makes any sense and if anyone has answer I sincerely thank you in advance.

short and sweet, you can't backup programs
You can backup their installers though (cabs) (on your storage card) and use sdauto run with a uc compliant rom to reinstall all of your programs.
but if you are not a frequent flasher than i would just suggest writing down everything you have installed and reinstalling it.
PIM backup will store things like contacts, messages ect.

joel2009 said:
short and sweet, you can't backup programs
You can backup their installers though (cabs) (on your storage card) and use sdauto run with a uc compliant rom to reinstall all of your programs.
but if you are not a frequent flasher than i would just suggest writing down everything you have installed and reinstalling it.
PIM backup will store things like contacts, messages ect.
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thanks for the response, the sdauto thing sounds promising. I did see it in the kitchen but I don't know how it works.

I believe the latest SPB backup has an option for restoring after a ROM change. However I have not fully investigated this.
Mike

Since i've been backing up and flashing for a long long while now, i've had the distinct pleasure of finding out that in most cases, you can use a previous backup on a new rom unless the system structure stays the same.
you CAN back programs up, as mike said using SPB Backup (Or clone.. if you can afford it )

nir36 said:
Since i've been backing up and flashing for a long long while now, i've had the distinct pleasure of finding out that in most cases, you can use a previous backup on a new rom unless the system structure stays the same.
you CAN back programs up, as mike said using SPB Backup (Or clone.. if you can afford it )
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thanks for the response. just curious, if you're cooking a new rom to remove some programs that you found you didn't need, then restore a back up will it put those file back into your windows folder? I only ask because I have an apache and main memory mb's are like Manhattan real estate, there's very little of it and it's very valuable Also what's the difference between spb clone and backup? The description sound about the same. Thanks again

There's another thread going on here on the same issue.
Even if it has the feature, i would personally not recommend it. Going through the time to reinstall your stuff (use Sashimi) is more worth it imo.

12gage said:
thanks for the response. just curious, if you're cooking a new rom to remove some programs that you found you didn't need, then restore a back up will it put those file back into your windows folder? I only ask because I have an apache and main memory mb's are like Manhattan real estate, there's very little of it and it's very valuable Also what's the difference between spb clone and backup? The description sound about the same. Thanks again
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SPB Clone, for instance, backs up all program files folder. meaning you will get all system files and all program files directories back after the backup.
there are problems with it tho. if the app tries to update a different rom it gets stuck in most cases and stuff won't work and so.. since it replaces stuff in the new rom with stuff from the old rom.
as said here.. you should install everything again after flashing a new rom...and use backups when working on the same one.

Complete Backup (Image/Bin?)

Hi all,
Sorry for seems like a noob question, I was wondering is there a utility that I can get a complete backup of my WM (i780) where I can restore it later if I wanted.
I was hoping to save "everything", including calls/contacts/apps/data, kind of like an image backup of the PC Harddisk (in this case, the phone's storage).
I'm a bit confused about the structure of the phone's storage as it seems flashing the ROM does modify some part of the storage (or is it all part?)
Thanks a lot.
Clive

Well, when i used to flash phones a lot, I used to use spb backup to save my phone in a usable state.
The only thing is, is that it wont save the rom itself, so you will need to flash back to the same rom as you started with, then restore the backup.
You cant put a backup from one rom version over another, at least not one made by a program that backs up the registry, or you will end up with unstable results.

You should use either SPB Backup or SPB Clone to backup the system and PIMBackup2.8 to backup the contacts/messages/....

nir36 said:
You should use either SPB Backup or SPB Clone to backup the system and PIMBackup2.8 to backup the contacts/messages/....
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so true!!! i had to do a hard reset the other day (too much tinkering again) and the back up i did just before the tinkering started (using sprite backup) was corrupt and didnt restore, much to my horror. Thankfully i had done another backup 2 days before hand, so i didnt loose too much.
Using PIM backup too meant i at least had upto date contacts and messages moral of the story?.... 2 backups is better than 1 haha.

The latest version of SPB Backup is supposed to work even after ROM upgrades, never tried it myslef so can't pass comment.

ALWAYS backup. ALWAYS. i backup about once a week. it's no trouble... you don't have to work for it.. just clicking a few buttons and you won't lose anything unless you lose your device

And how true that is, very nearly lost my mail server this week at home, had to power it down for the electrician and then it failed to come back up.
Matter was made worse by the fact it runs headless in a cupboard, so it was either run a long VGA cable to my main PC or physically move the box. I went for the latter, as it turned out it was a failing disc and a scandisk wiped the boot sector, that fixed and so far all is good to go. Guess I need to get a new HDD for it this week.

I just bought 2 500GB HDDs 2 weeks ago after making 2 other 250GB ones in RAID to backup all the important stuff like pictures documents and music (which i worked for 12 years to collect).
Btw, whoever is using commercial software.. i'd suggest SPB Clone. it's only good for companies because they demand like 300$ for it.. so i got myself a copy from work
it's magnificent.

Thanks a lot, I will try SPB backup (Clone, if I can snatch one from friends)
Clive

Best Back Up? Question

After two weeks... and several soft resents and only two hard resets... I now have everything set up and working well and smooth on my TP2 (Sprint). All my email, preferences and setting are exactly what I want themn to be.
My question is. What is the best way to back ALL of this up. Is there a programs that can save this 'state' and created a sort of restore point; so that is everything goes kablooey, I can get the device back to this exact state easily? Freeware preferable, but not a must.
I know I am noob, but I am trying to learn so thanks. It was a long time coming and WinMo 6.1 is a so different to me that the Palm system I was using until now.
Please let me know... It is greatly appreciated.
Matt

As far as I know, you have 5 options
1) PIM Backup - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=299705
FREE
Really good at backing up ALL your text messages, contacts, appointments, etc. It can run automatically if desired. I've had issues when trying to restore emails and email accounts to my phone, but those aren't that hard to setup without it.
2)Microsoft MyPhone - http://sn1-p3.myphone.microsoft.com/mkweb/Start.po
FREE
Service works well. It backs up your info (Text, contacts, appointments, email) to the "cloud". It will even backup your files too, like photos and songs. You can also have this run on a schedule as well. Also has tools to locate your phone if you lose it (GPS location, make your phone rings even if it's on silent) but you gotta pay for them.
3) Flexilis Mobile - https://beta.flexilis.com/
FREE
Same as Microsoft MyPhone, but it's all free. They're still working on the GPS location function for the TP2, however their "scream" function is pretty cool, even works of the phone is set to silent too.
EDIT: forgot to mention, I wouldn't advise setting up the firewall on this program, I've had issues when trying to connect to ANY wifi spot (even my home's) when the firewall is on.
4)SPB Backup - http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/?en
$24.95
Haven't actually tried this one but from the looks of it, it can backup "System Data" which I think means system preferences.
5) Resco Backup - http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/backup/
$19.99
Looks like it will backup EVERYTHING, the new version will also upload your backup to the FTP server of your choice. Haven't tried this one yet either
Also I know there is a program floating around the Rhodium forums that will re-installed ALL your programs. I forgot the link though.

I use MS MyPhone and SPB Backup... SPB is pretty easy to use, but so is MyPhone, but with MyPhone there have been some glitches in the past (which I experianced, like the contact restore issue) but those seem to be resolved now at least ( I know I havent had the issue again since getting the new version). SPB costs money, MyPhone does not. Both are simple, and easy to use. I would suggest trying them all, find the one you like best and stick with it.

I use SunnySoft BackupManager 4.x.
This software will restore you to whatever point in time it was when you did the backup. This software can be customized to backup the whole device or just parts of it.
I tried SPB on previous winmo phones and did not like it.
I also have had no issues with getting the software from 1 phone to the other. All it took was an email with my new phones key sent to them to get a new code for the new phone.

+1 for SPB its worth the money backs up and saves everything.

Sprite Backup isn't bad. Used it a lot on my MotoQ9c with no issues.

huntm856 said:
Sprite Backup isn't bad. Used it a lot on my MotoQ9c with no issues.
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Yeah, just make sure you use the same version for restore as you did while backing up. Tried to restore my roommates palm treo (a couple years ago) and the program didn't want to because it said that the version I backed up with was to old.

+1 on SPB Backup. And when they say it backs up everything, they mean everything. Data, apps, the works. Great program and well worth the money IMHO.
I've tried Sprite Backup but it gave me problems. I tried doing a backup, reflashed my ROM, and when I tried to restore the file wouldn't work. All my data was gone. So -10 for Sprite Backup.

Sprite works for me
I've used Sprite on my Wizard and on my Fuze/Raphael.
This is the copy I'm using now, copied from my Fuze, and it is working fine:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jnxk4wzojh3
One thing you might find is that it usually works best to restore to a device that is factory fresh, i.e. hard reset to factory specs, or to your base ROM whatever that is. If you have a stock ROM you may get an error when you try to run the restore file directly.
I keep a copy of the Sprite Backup.CAB on my storage card, and load it after the hard reset, then use it to open the backup file.
If you have a cooked ROM you probably can just run the exe backup file.

colorado_al said:
If you have a cooked ROM you probably can just run the exe backup file.
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I am think about this... but I have not the first clue on how to flash a new ROM, where to find one that is right... is there a faq on this whole process.
I just want a nice stable system...

My vote is with SPB backup.
It makes backups on schedule, I do one every day, then automatically copies the backups to my desktop when I connect it by activesync.
Smooth, reliable, I've restored 1/2 a dozen times without a problem.
Worth the money.

ROM upgrade and Backup question.

Hi to All..
Hope everyone is well.
If this question has been answer else where then my apologies to all.
I have an XDA Orbit that came with WM6(prob 6.1) and am wishing to upgrade the rom to 6.5..... I regularly backup the internal memory to MicroSD using Sprite Backup.... I backup ALL internal content so apps, registry and settings etc are backed up. Now my question is this... If I do a rom upgrade can I simply restore the backup file thus returning the Orbit to original state before the upgrade with the change being of cause a 6.5 rom and not a 6.1 rom.. I just don't want to have to reinstall over 250 apps if I can help it....
regards
Lohtse

Hi,
Yes you can restore your apps from sd card after flashing (of course taking out your SD before flashing!)
Just remember that some apps may not be compatible with 6.5, also 6.5 takes a lot of more RAM so be sure you have enough to run all you need.
Hope it helped,

Doing a full sprite restore is kind of a lousy idea, if you ask me, especially when upgrading from 6.1 to 6.5. How many registry entries from 6.1 will either useless in 6.5 or in conflict? Beats me, but it will affect device performance. What's worse, if you're not happy with the new rom, you won't know if it's the rom's fault for sucking or if it's your fault for importing a lot of bad registry settings. In some cases, I've read that doing a full restore locks up the pda, with a hard reset being the only way to get it going again.
You have 250 apps installed? Holy crap, that's a ton!!! All I can say is this: keep your cabs. If you have them all, you can have them automatically installed with sashimi. (If not, you can use sk tools to re-pack any installed program back into a cab.) I guess it may be worth it to try the sprite backup just because of the enormous amount of crap you've installed (no offense, lol). I would actually recommend that you try out Resco Backup. I haven't used it myself (have the demo, though). It allows you to do more selective restores than Sprite. Also, you can unpack the backup on your pc later if you find that you're missing things. It costs about 20 bucks, but it's really the only backup utility that I've ever been tempted to buy. I already own sk tools, and it does a good job of backing up stuff, but Resco sounds pretty sweet.