Database Users

A good Full Backup Software (Data+Configuration+Install)

I am looking for a good backup software to save all the files and configuration between Hard Resets or ROM Upgrades, for Windows Mobile 5, thanks

I've seen several people on here recommend Sunnysoft Backup Manager. I've just now downloaded the trial, so I haven't had a cance to try it yet, but it does look to be very configurable. Since there's a free trial (14 days) give it a shot and see if it fits your needs.
http://www.sunnysoft.cz/en_clanek.php?clanekid=51

I have tested the Sunnysoft Backup Manager. It does backup and restore my Wizard, but only for files and programs. All my PIM data are lost. :?
BTW, The "Data Backup" program seems to work in the Dell x51v WM5.0 machine. Could anyone extract it from x51v and try if it work in HTC Universal or Wizard? :?:
kelford said:
I've seen several people on here recommend Sunnysoft Backup Manager. I've just now downloaded the trial, so I haven't had a cance to try it yet, but it does look to be very configurable. Since there's a free trial (14 days) give it a shot and see if it fits your needs.
http://www.sunnysoft.cz/en_clanek.php?clanekid=51
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Click to collapse

if you rename the file pim.vol (located in the root directory) to something like pim.vol.old and then do a soft reset and then start the restore, your pim data will be restored too.
Wolfgang

Yeah. Your idea works! It works even I just rename the pim.vol and start restore without soft reset.
Thanks a lot.
woschirmer said:
if you rename the file pim.vol (located in the root directory) to something like pim.vol.old and then do a soft reset and then start the restore, your pim data will be restored too.
Wolfgang
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Click to collapse

Sorry,
but why should the software backup my PIM-data ?
Just do a sync .. and they are there.
- Superbowl

Superbowl,
I don't trust outlook and otoh I'm on the road a lot of times without any chance to sync my data. So a local backup/copy is very helpful.
I had already some hardresets (not with the MDA Pro, but with other devices) without knowing where they came from and I was really happy to be able to restore my device in the hotel.
Wolfgang

but the "other devices" were doing a hard reset everytime u were running out of batteries, that s why it was usefull to have the contacts saved too.
Now this does not apply anymore.
I would need to restore my Data only after Rom upgrades, which i would prefer doing it on my home computer.(which has the contacts synchronized in outlook).

backup software
I am using sprite backup for a long time and it is amazing. I believe it is far better than the sunnysoft. At least 4-5 times faster.
It is reliable and restoring the state % 100. Morover scheduled or battery level dependant backups are available, too.

From Sprite Backup Website :
http://www.spritesoftware.com/en/personal/products/windows_mobile/pocket_pc.htm
"Windows Mobile 2005 devices cannot use Sprite Backup. We will be releasing a new version that will be compatible with these devices in the near future. Please keep visiting this site for updates. "

I missed WM 2005 part !!!

Backup Software Found!

I bought Spb Backup a couple of days ago and have just had a major problem with no option but to hard reset.
Spb Backup... wow!
It put me right back to where I was before, applications, Registry hacks all my vga settings.. the lot! its like I never even did a hard reset!
The backup file was stored on the SD card and its an excutable, you just run it, correct the clock and hey presto jobs a goodun! 8)
oh and activesync didnt see any difference!

Did you notice any duplication of application icons, something I notice in another backup application?

That's true. Nice program and cheaper than Sprite backup......

cktlcmd said:
Did you notice any duplication of application icons, something I notice in another backup application?
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Nope didn't notice any duplication, not found any ill affects and like previously said its cheap

dherrero said:
That's true. Nice program and cheaper than Sprite backup......
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Ya, also Spb seems to have much better compression than Sprite.. AND Spb leaves you with an exe thats self installable

One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?

cktlcmd said:
One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?
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Haven't tried that, I don't see why not. The only problem that you might have is if you have scheduled backups setup.. because the app needs to wake the system and the SD card may not be ready quick enough. I have mine installed in the extended ROM.
Download the trial and give it a shot

How do you install it to extended ROM?

One problem I found with SPB Backup, whilst backing up, it hangs at midpoint and then finally finishes but with an error message stating that file 'history.txt' wasnt backed up. Happens everytime. Any idea why?
Thanks. Cheers

I have been trialling this in Beta for a month or so. Even the beta's were good.
However, I do recommend anybody that is considering using it after a failure or error, to hard reset the device prior to the restore, otherwise it overrides and adds to what is already there, so if there are extra files and extra registry entries, they will remain.
The originals will all be restored correctly though, so you are unlikely to detect a problem.
I have restored, and hard reset on many occassions throughout the beta, and it works a dream.

Is it possible to backup, upgrade to a new complete ROM and then restore?
Or when you upgrade to a new rom you cannot use older ROMs backup?
Thank you.

I dont believe you can restore over an upgraded rom.
primarily cause the rom files are not copied. my entire backup, compressed 11mb.
you probably could, and when we were fiddling with WM2003SE for the himalaya model, we used this peculiar feature to do that.
YOu might try it and see, but some of the system files, dlls and hidden files may get modified some how, dont know enough about it. depends on the size and extent of the upgrade, it will probably work, but maybe a little unstable.
Either way, its not recommended. What I do is a fresh rebuild without syncing, with all my registrations, connections, and website usernames and all customisations done, and then call it a "virgin" backup, so that it can always be a perfect starting point for a base machine on a new ROM. This is then kept for te life of that ROM incase I want to go back to a nice clean environment without to much effort.

Hi does anyone know if this will backup txt messages to

cktlcmd said:
One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, you cand. I did it

simon_darley said:
I have been trialling this in Beta for a month or so. Even the beta's were good.
However, I do recommend anybody that is considering using it after a failure or error, to hard reset the device prior to the restore, otherwise it overrides and adds to what is already there, so if there are extra files and extra registry entries, they will remain.
The originals will all be restored correctly though, so you are unlikely to detect a problem.
I have restored, and hard reset on many occassions throughout the beta, and it works a dream.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldnt, bacause you need to restore the registry to make your apps working again but in the new ROM the registry structure or data may (and normally do) change, so you would corrupt the new rom

scotjen1 said:
Hi does anyone know if this will backup txt messages to
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Yep, it backs up all your text messages and your emails

Thanks vbjoe am installing now.

Problems on my JASJAR
First of all it duplicates Alarm notifications on my JASJAR. Secondly if you hard reset the device and then restore the backup, it always hangs at almost 100%. Had to cancel the restore and restart the device. But once restarted, it looks like everything is restored despite that restore hangup. But i am not certain, might be some problem in restoring with i come across later in future.
Can't depend on it.

Backup program
Try Sunnysoft backup manager.
http://www.sunnysoft.cz/en_clanek.php?clanekid=51

hangs happened to me, i left it on its own and it did finish restore on my wizard

Backup Program

The old 6601 I used to use (and the Hitachi, etc.) had a nice backup utility. You would click on it and it would back up everything you installed and stick it in a cab file. After doing a hard reset, it would restore your backup for you.
I'm not seeing anything like this on the 8525. I'm assuming that if I could install the backup program on the 8525 it would work.
Where can I find this to install it?

i think sprite backup does that...

bapski said:
i think sprite backup does that...
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Indeed and I use SPB Backup. Gets me backup and running after a hard reset in around 10 mins. (as if nothing had ever gone wrong)
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=21046
I also backup before any major installation. So I have a few backups on SD card. You never know sometimes until few weeks later that a certain installation messed something up some weeks ago.
Mike

I have tried Sprite backup and it locks up my 8525 75% of the time. The rest of the time, it says that the backup is corrupt.
Since there were backup programs on older HTC roms for other devices, has anyone cooked a ROM yet that has this backup program?
Seems dumb to pay for one when there was one that worked just fine for free.

mikechannon said:
Indeed and I use SPB Backup. Gets me backup and running after a hard reset in around 10 mins. (as if nothing had ever gone wrong)
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=21046
I also backup before any major installation. So I have a few backups on SD card. You never know sometimes until few weeks later that a certain installation messed something up some weeks ago.
Mike
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Mike ive been after something like this for a while but the 'SPB' allergy keeps getting me.
Does it work with WM6 and the cooked stuff we are using???

mrvanx said:
Mike ive been after something like this for a while but the 'SPB' allergy keeps getting me.
Does it work with WM6 and the cooked stuff we are using???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
trying it right now... whats with the spb allergy? ive lots loaded, hopefully theyll behave and not give me any trouble/s.
also have a sprite backup just in case.

You're both missing the point.
Let's grab the backup program on the other ROMs and use it. It works perfectly.

which other ROMs??

Reread what I originally said. The Blue Angel and the Apache both had backup programs on their ROMs -- at least the Sprint versions did, I'm unsure about any other versions.

Sprite Backup works great for me. It backs up automatically every night and takes less than a minute. If you're having lots of errors, maybe you need to try a hard reset and then try the backup program again?

SPB Backup V Sprite Backup Manager

Has anyone tried both of the above? Which is regarded as better?
Do they backup everything?
I need to send my machine back to HTC for a repair and they say it will lose everything so I will back it up. So I want to back up everything!
Before I get a program to do this can anyone shed some light on which is best and why?

Vote for SPB. Extremely fool proof. Havent used Sprite.

My Vote is for SPB
I have been using SPB for 2 years and I have to say it is the best for me , easy to customize and quick, has all the features that u need. creates a self extracting restore file u don't need to reinstall SPB to use it. Give it a try. Sprite is just as good I have used it as well but I have to recommend SPB for ease of use.
Ed...

Spb for me too.
If i remember correctly Sprite does NOT Backup the Registry.

Vote for SPB too.
I never have a problem with.

ausi said:
Spb for me too.
If i remember correctly Sprite does NOT Backup the Registry.
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So, from a hard reset by starting the self extracting executable my device would be returned to its original state? Is that correct?

for_me, Spb Backup

Sprite is more capable - can restore to a different device something spb cannot do?

More q's
And what if you change ROM in the meantime? Or if you upgrade to WM6 and the backup was done on the WM5?

The FD said:
So, from a hard reset by starting the self extracting executable my device would be returned to its original state? Is that correct?
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Exactly correct!!........i do it all the time without any problems.

sabestian said:
And what if you change ROM in the meantime? Or if you upgrade to WM6 and the backup was done on the WM5?
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Neither Sprite nor Spb will help you there, remember you're basically changing the OS while your installed programs relate to the installed OS at that time.

ausi said:
Neither Sprite nor Spb will help you there, remember you're basically changing the OS while your installed programs relate to the installed OS at that time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they don't actually change the OS back to the version that was previously installed? All the programs do is put back what system settings and programs were previously installed?
Is that correct?

The FD said:
So they don't actually change the OS back to the version that was previously installed? All the programs do is put back what system settings and programs were previously installed?
Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes!......... they are basically a Backup program which when in trouble they will restore your Device to the same state and configuration as when you did the backup. This saves a lot of time when you Device gets totally stuck and needs a "Hard" Reset.......then you only need to double click on the backup exe. file (which should be on your SD card) and "Walla" you get it all back without having to waste hours in reloading your original programs.

I tried WM6 upgrade! (Looking now for WM5 ROM.)

Well, finally I tried the (official) upgrade from WM5 (1.8.407.1) to WM6.
I found detailed instructions using SpriteBackup 3.14 or higher. And since Version 5.01 were deliverd with my Herald, I gave it a try!
But that's were this endless night began...
The instructions used "GetUpgradeData.exe" from Sprite Software.
This is what I did:
- I created a complete Backup with Sprite Backup 5.01.
- I did a hard-reset.
- I run the "GetUpgradeData.exe" and got a sbu-file I stored.
- I actually performed the ROM-upgrade
- I installed Sprite Backup.
But wenn I tried to restore the Backup I made earlier I didn't found the "Upgrade-Mode" that was mentioned in the instructions and which I created the sbu-file for.
On the Sprite-Homepage, I got the information, that this functions seems to exist only since 5.1!
So I installed the newest version as trial. But this damn software doesn't restore backup made with older versions of itself! :-O
Since I found no possibility to makes Sprite Backup 6 *do* this, I decided to give 5.01 a try nevertheless. But it didn't work. I actually can't remember anymore, what error came exactly in this situation, but I realized it would work.
Since then I look for a downgrade to restore my backup on good old WM5.0 and try the whole szenario with Sprite 5.1 (I don't like 6).
I actually *found* a WM5-ROM, but it's not 1.8.407.1, it's 5.4.407.1.
- I "updated" the ROM, WM5 runs fine.
- I installed Sprite 5.01.
- I run Sprite 5.01 and got an error mentioning to little free memory!
- I performed a hard-reset, installed Sprite and tried to restore selected parts of the backup to need less memory. It ends successful, but during the following Warm-Start I get repeatetly the error that "The last cold-start" wasn't complete. So it performs a new reset by itself.
And that *are* my possibilities:
- restore all and have to little memory
or
- restore parts an get this weird error.
Why is this? and How can I change it?
I still have the hope that a 1.8.407.1-ROM would fix all problems. But where to take from. :-((
Any ideas how I can save my Herald? Please? It's 7am now an I'm puzzeling for 5 hours now. I want everything back to normal! :-(
Thanks for every help you can give me...

I didn´t really read the howl thread - but
NEVER try to take a WM5 backup to work with a WM6 Rom!!!
You never treid to use a Windows 95 backup on a Windows Vista PC???
So why you wanne restore a backup from a complete different Rom??
Install all new. NEVER use a backup when flashing a new rom.
Just my 2 cents

papamopps said:
I didn´t really read the howl thread
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No matter. It's just one posting. ;-)
NEVER try to take a WM5 backup to work with a WM6 Rom!!!
[...]
Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, my two, too, until yesterdey, when I learnd about that option in Sprite Backup. I quote from the manual of "Sprite Backup 6":
http://www.spritesoftware.com/downloads/SpriteBackupHelp.pdf said:
Setting Upgrade Mode Options
Sprite Backup automatically detects if the restore process is being performed between different devices or ROM versions and automatically enables this function and you will be asked to select the type of 'Upgrade Mode' operation you wish to perform.
ROM: Use this option to perform restore operations between the same devices with different ROM revisions. For example: restoring from a KJAM ROM 2.16.9 to a KJAM AKU2 ROM version.
Device: Use this option when you wish to restore across devices and ROM versions. For example: When restoring a backup file created on a WM2005 KJAM device onto a WM 2006 JAZJAR device.
Safe: If your device does not boot after performing a ‘ROM Upgrade’ or ‘Device Upgrade’ restore use the ‘Safe Upgrade’ operation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that my version of Sprite Backup does not have this capability unexpectetly. Which I realized when it was to late.

one comment of a nearly flashaddict:
i ALLWAYS install all new. it is much faster after a few month when you make a hardreset and flash new......
believe me. i flashed so many roms - and allways installed it completely new!!

Sure you are right. And actually that's my choice now.
I made it to restore at least my personal data in WM5, backed them up new and restorem *them* on new installed WM6.
Now I'm on the configurating, installing, reconstructing part. :-((