Choose the file types (perhaps ALL) to backup

WD Software WD Software
1

I have 2 problems/questions with SmartWave and I would appreciate any answer.

1. Currently, SmartWave decides by itself what file types to back up. I have no idea why WD made this decision. I want to be able to specify the file types to be backed up or to make it even easier, have the option to back up all files under a given directory.

2. In the Retrieve tab, SmartWave classifies forces you to find the files you want to retrieve AFTER you click on one of the file categories: Pictures, Music, Movies, Documents, Other, Mail.  In other words, I can’t find a way to see my file structure (directories & files) exactly as they appear on my computer, regardless of the file type. For example, to make sure you copied all your files under a specific directory from WD to your computer, you have to select that directory in SmartWave and then click “documents” and retrieve the files, then click “music” and retrieve the music files, then … you got the picture. This doesn’t sound very smart to me. Is there any way I could click to ALL and see everything under a directory? (To accomplish this, I currently bypass SmartWave and go directly to the hard drive as I see it from Windows Explorer)

2

I don’t know much about Smartware I only used it once and uninstalled it. It backs up with it’s own method and isn’t very flexible to use.

Joe

3

Unfortunately, you’re hosed.

Now that I’ve wasted my money on a WD MyBook, I now find out exactly what you discovered. I have application data that I ABSOLUTELY WANT to get backed up that is above the “My Documents” root in the “Application Data” and “Local Settings” directory trees. However, some cluess software engineer at WD has decided that only they (WD) will decide what is essential to be backed up and not you, the consumer.

Not me, I’m heading off to Fry’s Electronics this afternoon to look at some other drives/software and toss this one in the trash.

4

I doubt that this is of any help to you right now, but we are looking into making SmartWare more customizable for the user.  Hopefully, this will be made available soon.

5

mbrando wrote:

Not me, I’m heading off to Fry’s Electronics this afternoon to look at some other drives/software and toss this one in the trash.

:smileyvery-happy:

Ya, I can see how that is more beneficial than just uninstalling SmartWare and choosing another backup application to use with the drive.

6

Thank you all for your replies. Given that I am happy with the hard drive itself and given that I can’t use SmartWave for what I want to do, does anyone have experience/recomendation for a good backup software?

7

It depends on what you want to backup. The whole system or individual files? Free or pay?

Acronis has a free edition here  http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119&wdc_lang=en I use the 2010 paid version. This will image the entire the drive it doesn’t have all of the features of the full version. Macrium is recommended a lot http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp and Paragon http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/  Both are free but not full fetured either. Then there are sync programs select say my documents on Pc and it will make the target match. 

Joe