Hello, I am using windows 7 and have just tried to use FreeFileSync to mirror from one external 1tb hard drive to another external 1tb hard drive. I am still new to how to do this, but the first thing I noticed in my properties on each drive is that they did not match. The folders matched up, but the files were off by 833 the first time I did this. I then deleted and started over and the ssecond time I am still off by 332 files. When I do a file compare it show nothing.
How does this work????
Free File Sync Mirror does not match byte for byte
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
Hello again,
I think I have figured out that the reason my files are not matching is that on my original I have windows system files - like Thumbs.db and desktop.ini files that are not copied over when FFS copies to my external drive.
So now I would like know How can I get FFS to also copy these system files so that my mirror backups match byte for byte - so then I am assured that FFS has copied EVERYTHING properly?????
I think I have figured out that the reason my files are not matching is that on my original I have windows system files - like Thumbs.db and desktop.ini files that are not copied over when FFS copies to my external drive.
So now I would like know How can I get FFS to also copy these system files so that my mirror backups match byte for byte - so then I am assured that FFS has copied EVERYTHING properly?????
- Posts: 141
- Joined: 10 Sep 2009
My question would be... why would you want to do that? This looks like a job for a cloning software like Macrium Reflect.
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
Hello,
Thanks for responding. I am new to backing things up. I was told that I should use FFS since I cannot afford a Raid system at this time. I have never heard of Macrium Reflect but I will google it. My intended goal is to simply back up my files and folders that I have compiled so that I don't lose this information. I don't want to copy my OS etc since I can always reinstall. So I need to feel comfortable that the software I am using to back up my info has actually backed up (or copied in this scenario) everything. The only way I can think of to check this is by a properties check??
Thanks for responding. I am new to backing things up. I was told that I should use FFS since I cannot afford a Raid system at this time. I have never heard of Macrium Reflect but I will google it. My intended goal is to simply back up my files and folders that I have compiled so that I don't lose this information. I don't want to copy my OS etc since I can always reinstall. So I need to feel comfortable that the software I am using to back up my info has actually backed up (or copied in this scenario) everything. The only way I can think of to check this is by a properties check??
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- Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Where do you see this difference? Files like Thumbs and desktop are hidden file that I don't bother with.
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
I had my show hidden files check box showing my hidden files is how I saw the hidden files. Actually I did a mirror copy of a smaller directory and I couldn't figure out why the properties of files and folders did not match. I now have the hidden files not showing but when I click on properties for each directory to compare bytes, files and folders the bytes and files are still not matching. The folders do match.
I actually did a file by file check and FFS did copy it all, although the files and bytes did not match.I am about to do a mirror of 206 Gb and I want to feel comfortable that FFS does copy EVERYTHING.
I don't know how to confirm that it doesn't miss anything. Do You??
I actually did a file by file check and FFS did copy it all, although the files and bytes did not match.I am about to do a mirror of 206 Gb and I want to feel comfortable that FFS does copy EVERYTHING.
I don't know how to confirm that it doesn't miss anything. Do You??
- Posts: 141
- Joined: 10 Sep 2009
When FFS finishes it's mirror sync, does its interface show that the sync was good and no files are left to copy from either side to the other?
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
Sorry I don't know where to look to make sense of that??
The Screen is blank on both sides when it is finished - nothing shows - it looks like it does before I start anything.
The Screen is blank on both sides when it is finished - nothing shows - it looks like it does before I start anything.
- Posts: 141
- Joined: 10 Sep 2009
You click compare and see differences on both sides. you then click sync and both sides should be blank when the sync is complete. If that's the case then you're in sync.
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 12 Nov 2013
Thanks for this - I greatly appreciate your help.
