"Automating Backups" by Gayla "Rennie" Bly Copyright 2005 Session Start: Mon May 02 12:46:25 2005 [12:49] This tutorial will teach you how to automate backups for every file in your "My Documents" folder. [12:50] The example we will use will be a complete backup of the "My Documents" folder on your C: drive to a DVD drive named E:. [12:50] Your backup drive does not have to be a DVD for this to work. It could be a CD or any other backup medium you have available. Saying "DVD "is strictly for illustrative purposes. [12:51] By simply changing the drive name(s) and directory/file names, you can customize these instructions to fit your individual needs. [12:53] Okay, are you ready? Here we go! [12:53] Open Notepad. [12:53] Copy and paste the following into Notepad: [12:53] Xcopy /Y/S/D "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\*.*" "E:\My Documents" [12:54] Save the Notepad file in C:\My Documents as BackupMyDocuments.bat [12:55] Close the Notepad file. [12:59] Now go to Start/My Computer and then double click on your E: drive (or whatever drive letter you use for your backup medium). [13:04] It might be F: or G: or anything, really. It just depends on how your system is designed. [13:05] Okay, now create a new folder (directory) on your backup drive and name it [13:05] My Documents [13:05] To create a new folder, go to File/New/Folder [13:06] and then enter the name of the file and press Enter. [13:09] Now we are going to test your new batch file (BackupMyDocuments.bat) and see if it works. If it does, then we'll automate it! [13:09] By the way, the .bat extension means it is a batch file. [13:09] Okay, now let's go back to C:\My Documents. [13:09] Find your BackupMyDocuments.bat file and right click it. [13:09] Select "Open." [13:11] A backup from C:\My Documents to E:\My Documents should now be taking place. If it isn't, go back to the beginning of this tutorial and find where the problem is. [13:11] Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, until you find and fix the problem. *grin* [13:13] To edit or look at your batch file, do NOT open it. Opening it will EXECUTE the program. To edit it or look at it, right click on it and select "Edit." ;) [13:12] If your batch file *did* run correctly, then we're ready to proceed to the next step. [13:15] Open your Windows Task Scheduler. [13:15] You can open it by going to ---> Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Schedule Tasks. [13:20] Double click on "Add Scheduled Task." [13:20] The Scheduled Task Wizard will open. [13:20] Click Next. [13:21] When the next window comes up, click Browse. [13:21] Navigate to C:\My Documents\BackupMyDocuments.bat [13:24] and select that file by double clicking it. [13:25] Then, a window opens and asks you to name the task. Type whatever name you want here. ;) [13:25] Under "Perform this task" [13:25] select daily [13:25] then click Next. [13:26] Select the time of day you want the task to run. It's better if you pick a time when the computer won't be being used, but it's not a requirement. [13:26] Then click Next. [13:27] If your Windows system is set up such that you must enter a password to log on, the next screen is where you should enter your Windows user name and password. [13:28] If Windows is not set up to require a password, just press enter. [13:28] When the next window comes up, click "Finish." [13:29] Voila, you're done, you're automated, you're rockin' and rollin'! =)