Saving Your Bacon with Spb Backup 1.0

[Don Tolson]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-header.gif" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Software - Backup/Recovery<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <A HREF = "http://spbsoftwarehouse.com" target = "blank"> Spb Software House</A><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/br2fx">Handango</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $19.95 USD A trial version, which expires after 5 runs, is available.<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5. Works fine under VGA, although no specific mention of support.<br /><b>Specifications:</b> Requires 1.9Mb of memory (your results may vary – see article text). Highly recommended to install into device memory (not on external card).<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Small program size;<br /><li>Full featured – selective backups and restores (with scheduling)<br /><li>Automatically produces compressed, self-extracting executables;<br /><li>Encryption of backups is available;<br /><li>Log files stored with backup executable;<br /><li>Windows Mobile 5 support<b>Cons:</b><ul><li>No ability to backup to/restore from desktop. (according to the press release this is available, but it wasn't seen on the build available - 1606)</ul><b>Summary:</b> The operating system and hardware manufacturers seem to be struggling to provide a reasonable backup/restore application for the Pocket PC. As examples, I give you <i>Activesync</i> from Microsoft, and <i>Data Backup</i> from Dell. The former recently removed its Backup/Restore functionality and the latter is very slow and unreliable. Thank goodness, third party developers, like Sprite Software and Sunnysoft, have willingly stepped into the void. Now, Spb Software House, known for quality utilities for the Pocket PC, is releasing Spb Backup – a full function backup program which produces self-executing restore modules.<br /><br />Read On for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Introduction</b></span><br />I’ve always been an advocate for regular backups of my machines –- whether they be Pocket PCs, laptops or desktops. I’ve seen (and been part of) too many disasters where the lack of a recent backup meant hours or days of reconstruction. I’d worked my way through Activesync’s backup/restore function but gave up on it since it didn’t have the ability to selectively backup/restore particular files. I was pretty happy with Sprite Software’s Backup v3.3, but when I loaded WM5 on my Dell Axim X50v, suddenly I was without my most needed tool! Sprite has been working on a WM5 upgrade for their product, and I’ve been part of the beta test team, but it was still needing some work.<br /><br />Then, about a week ago, Jason received an announcement that Spb Software House was preparing to release its own WM5-compatible backup and restore application. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to try it. I am very familiar with Spb’s other applications and utilities, so I felt pretty confident they wouldn’t let me down.<br /><br /><span><b>Installation</b></span><br />As is usual these days, the install package comes as an executable for the desktop PC, which runs Activesync to install the application. At this time, there was no mention of a .CAB file being available for direct install on the Pocket PC. When you run the application on the desktop, it asks if you would like to install the trial version or if you have a key to install a registered version. I quite like this approach to direct installation of registered versions, since it eliminates an additional step of running the application on the Pocket PC to input the registration key. It is also possible to register an installed trial version via a Registration option on the Tools menu.<br /><br />Installation proceeds normally through Activesync, with the usual options for where you would like to locate the application. My personal recommendation is that you <i>not</i> install Spb Backup onto an external card, unless you plan to have the card with you at all times. This is one application you really want to have on your Pocket PC wherever you are, just in case. During installation, my Dell Axim X50v stated it needed 966Kb of memory for the application, which is almost half of what Spb reports as the space on the device (1.9Mb) on their website. I’m not sure why there’s a discrepancy, but when I look at the Spb Backup folder under Program Files, the total is closer to the 966Kb.<br /><br />As part of the installation, Spb Backup creates a Today screen plugin to notify you of when you last completed a backup and provide a quick launch point. As I was testing, I noticed that it can sometimes take a minute or so for the plugin to update the time of the last backup, so be patient.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-todayplugin.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Spb Backup’s Today Screen plugin (at the bottom).</i><br /><br />On the candidate release I used in the review (Build 1606), I didn’t see an option to choose whether to install this plugin or not, but it would be an easy matter to remove it via the Today screen settings.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Trial #1 – Full Backup, Soft Reset, Full Restore</b></span><br />For my first run, I decided to make things as easy as possible, and do a full backup and restore. Unfortunately, I also decided to do this with the Pocket PC in its cradle and attached to my laptop. Big Mistake! (as you’ll see in a moment.)<br /><br />When you launch Spb Backup, you may notice that it only gives you the option to back up your files.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-type2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: Spb Backup’s opening screen.</i><br /><br />So where’s the Restore option? Well, if you think about it, since Spb Backup only produces self-extracting executables, there really isn’t need for the Restore option. Everything you need to handle the restore is within the package produced – but more on that later.<br /><br />As shown above, there are three options for Backup – a Full backup in which everything on your Pocket PC is included (except, I’m assuming, files located on external cards); a Custom backup where you selectively pick which folders and files you want copied; or a Scheduled backup which can be set to run on a regular basis.<br /><br />So, after selecting Full Backup, the next screen asks where you would like to place the backup.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-location.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Selecting a location for the backup.</i><br /><br />By default, the file is named “Backup_” and suffixed with the current date. Its location is set to the first available storage card. If you want to change the location tap on the drop-down list in the Location box.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-customlocation.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 4: Choosing a different location for the backup.</i><br /><br />If you want to place the backup within a folder on a card, choose the Custom option from the list.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-customlocation2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Choosing a folder for your backup.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br />Options for compression and encryption of the backup are available at any time from the Options selection of the Tools menu.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-options.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 6: Spb Backup Options.</i><br /><br />Once all the selections have been made and you tap on Next to continue, Spb Backup provides an estimate of the size of the Backup file. This estimate is produced very quickly – usually in less than 5 seconds, which is a nice change from what happens with Dell’s Data Backup utility.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-sizeestimate.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 7: Estimate of Backup file size.</i><br /><br />I also found the backup file sizes to be considerably smaller than those of Dell’s Data Backup or Sprite Backup (beta for WM5) – sometimes by almost half! And neither of the other two produce executable extraction modules! After accepting the estimate and tapping Next, a warning is displayed that Spb Backup will be shutting down all background processes.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-warning.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 8: Background processes being shut down. Unfortunately, because all background processes are halted, I wasn’t able to screen capture the actual backup in progress.</i><br /><br />And now, onto the actual backup! Once started, the actual backup of the system only took about 2 minutes. I was a bit surprised, since I was used to other utilities taking 10 minutes or longer. (Did it really get everything?). Unfortunately, because I had my unit attached to the laptop, Activesync did its usual thing and attempted to run synchronization during the backup, producing a log with 20 or 30 errors. The log file is a text file which is loaded in the same location as the backup, using the same file name, but with a .txt extension.<br /><br />After the backup is completed, Spb Backup requires the unit to be soft reset and provides a button to do this for you. I’m not exactly sure why this reset is required, but Sprite Backup does the same thing, except they do it both <i>before</i> and <i>after</i> the backup. So, after the reset was completed, I did another soft reset, just to be sure, then located the backup file and double-tapped it to do a restore.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-runrestore.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 9: Running the backup executable for restore. No, I didn’t run the backup that early in the morning! It's been fixed in the 1606 build.</i><br /><br />Next comes the selection of whether you want to do a full restore or a partial, selecting specific files or folders.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-restoretype.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 10: Full Restore or Partial?</i><br /><br />Tapping Next starts up the restore process. In this trial, I got an error message saying that “Spb Backup was unable to read the data stream” and the “Backup file may be damaged”. Hmmm, a bit disconcerting, but I decided to proceed anyway. As with Backup, a progress bar shows where you are in the Restore, and it “Completed with no errors.” – go figure – taking about 5 minutes.<br /><br />Again, a soft reset is required after completion of the restore, and I’m happy to announce that everything looked exactly as it did before. Even Activesync didn’t try to re-synchronize all 5000 or so of my calendar entries!<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Trial #2 – Full Backup, <i>Hard Reset</i>, Full Restore</b></span><br />OK, so a restore after a soft-reset went OK, but the REAL TEST is restoring your unit after a hard reset, right?<br /><br />For this trial, I disconnected the cradle from the laptop, but left the Pocket PC in the cradle, so it could work with full power. (Some backup programs complain when you’re not ‘plugged in’ but Spb Backup didn’t seem to mind either way). So, I did another full system backup out to my CF card (no errors encountered this time), hard reset the unit and went through the usual ‘move the doctor’s appointment’ setup routines. Now for the moment of truth. I double tapped on the backup executable I had just created, and selected full restore. The first thing Spb Backup did was to remind me that the System Clock needed to be set properly before proceeding, and it provided a button to go directly to the utility to do this. I suppose having the clock set properly would allow the Restore to determine where it was restoring to and keep Activesync happy. So, after setting the clock, it came back to the Restore and I tapped Next to continue. The Restore progress screen appeared and things went smoothly from there.<br /><br />After the restore was finished, I completed the required soft reset and held my breath. Would I be back to where I was before? Well, for the most part, yes. I only noticed one small thing. Activesync seemed to get confused about which files it was supposed to sync with and which ones were new, etc. For some reason, it now had all the files it was supposed to in the My Documents folder on the Pocket PC, but none on the laptop. To fix this problem, I finally had to copy all the files over from the Pocket PC back to the laptop, using Activesync’s Explorer module, then everything seemed to settle down properly.<br /><br />As far as everything else was concerned, I was back right where I started from. All the applications I loaded were there, hacks I had made to the registry were still in place, and as before, Activesync didn’t try to resynchronize all my appointments, contacts, tasks, etc. All the PIM stuff was just as I had left it! Whew, what a relief!<br /><br /><span><b>Custom Backups</b></span><br />When you select Custom Backup, instead of just giving you the typical folder/file tree to navigate, Spb simplifies the process by combining items into the major categories which most people would want to backup/retrieve.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-custom2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 11: ...and what would you like to backup???</i><br /><br />If you want to be even <i>more</i> selective, on items like My Documents and System Data, you can tap on the item and then on the Options button to get to a screen where you can define specifically what to copy.<br /><br /><span><b>Scheduled Backups</b></span><br />In Schedule Backups, you first determine the days and times at which the backup will occur.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-schedule1.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 12: Setting up a Backup Schedule</i><br /><br />As you can see from the screen, Spb Backup assumes a weekly schedule, but you can easily change that to daily if you wish. After defining the schedule, you then tell Spb Backup where the backup files should be stored and how many versions to keep.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/don-jan06-spbbackup-schedule2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 13: Location and Numbers of Backups for Scheduled Backup</i><br /><br />Then, you proceed through the same screens as with the Custom Backup, to define what should be included.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />I’ve now completed numerous full and selective backups and restores, with no further problems at all. I’m quite comfortable that Spb Backup can bring me back to life easily and consistently – even from a hard reset. (As long as I remember that backup first!) The press release for this version of Spb Backup mentions the ability to backup and restore to your desktop, but I couldn't see it in the candidate software provided. Hopefully, it will be in the 'real' release.<br /><br /><i>Don is an Associate Director of Systems Development for Fujitsu Consulting – struggling to keep Windows Mobile 5 operating stably on his Dell Axim X50v... (Thank goodness for a backup program that works!)</i>

[Jerry Raia]

Very impressive. Looks like it's 19.95 USD though. :)

[Jason Dunn]

Very impressive. Looks like it's 19.95 USD though. :)

Fixed! Not sure what happened there...

[burtcom]

Looks nice -- the feature set is very similar to what I have with the iPaq Backup software that came with my HP, so I'll pass for now.

One thing I'd like to see is the ability to backup the storage card itself (perhaps it could default to only changed files, to save time) to a network share or even via FTP. Now that would be a killer Mobile backup app!

As it is, I have to do this manually once or twice a week to protect against pesky FAT errors.

[Jerry Raia]

Yeah even Sprite Backup will backup storage cards.

[Edgar_]

Highly recommended to install into device memory (not on external card).



Uhm, wouldn't you WANT the backup software on non-volatile memory? I guess with WM5 that's moot but running this type of software from a card would be key for me. Im not always near activesynch to reinstall the software. :|

[tregnier]

I've used Sprite Backup for a couple of years. Recently I changed to a WM5 device so Sprite wasn't working for me. I just checked out Sprite's site for the new WM5 version. It's $29.95, but they'll give me a $15 rebate as a current user (after jumping thru some hoops). Their WM5 version still doesn't do stand-alone restoration like SPB does.

Without waiting for the review due "in minutes", I've downloaded, installed and used SPB on a trial basis. Based on what I've seen, I'm going the SPB route, even though I could get a better deal through Sprite (assuming my rebate would go through).

[mr_Ray]

Uhm, wouldn't you WANT the backup software on non-volatile memory? I guess with WM5 that's moot but running this type of software from a card would be key for me. Im not always near activesynch to reinstall the software. :|
Not an issue when you think about it.

You don't need it installed to restore (self extracting backups), and when stored in volatile memory, it'll be backing itself up along with everything else.

[Jerry Raia]

The more I think about it, the more I would like to see this app have an option to backup storage card data. I recently had both the miniSD and the SD cards on my 6515 get corrupted.

[dma1965]

The more I think about it, the more I would like to see this app have an option to backup storage card data. I recently had both the miniSD and the SD cards on my 6515 get corrupted.

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

[Jerry Raia]

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

That's interesting. I might reformat and try that. :)

[Edgar_]

Fading to off topic - sorry

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

Is this for all PocketPC cards. Like my hx4700 SD and CF cards? I've had some errors recently on my SD card when IGuidance accesses large maps.

Oh and, as to SPB Backup. I missed the self extracting files part. Sprite does that as well, they take up a bit more space though, but worth it for a single backup of a clean install. I personally backup to/from an SD card that is always with me, holds the last 4 clean &amp; stable backups - like restore points. The SD card has Sprite and the backups on it. Then I have more regular backups sent to the PC. Everything is auto scheduled so I dont even have to mess with it - even backs up to my PC over BT Activestink.

However, I love SPB's products as a whole. They do very thorough testing. I find them to be the least buggy of most software out there - unlike Omega One that to this day has bugs in JB and BPP. So in short, I will look at SPB backup - like Jerry though, I would want at least one set of backups of my cards to the PC.


-Edgar

[topps]

Does anybody else find it ironically amusing that the first duplicate post that I've seen on PPCT is about a backup program? The belt and braces approach, eh guys?

:D

[Edgar_]

Duplicate post?

One article is the press release and announcement - the other is a PPCThoughts review. They should be separate shouldn't they?

[galt]

So finally the drought is over, there are now 3 backup solutions for WM5 (Spb, Sprite, Sunnysoft). Which one is the best?

Will there be a PPC Thoughts WM5 backup roundup &amp; comparison? This sounds like a job for Menneisyys!

[Raphael Salgado]

One thing I noticed about Sunnysoft Backup was that it didn't remove items during restore - meaning, I move my icons into folders under \Windows\Start Menu\Programs. A hard reset will put all the original icons are back into the main Programs folder. After a restoration, the old Sprite Backup actually deletes all the icons that don't belong there, but Sunnysoft didn't. I believe this is what they mean by a destructive restore. Question is, what does Spb Backup do?

[Menneisyys]

So finally the drought is over, there are now 3 backup solutions for WM5 (Spb, Sprite, Sunnysoft). Which one is the best?

Both Sprite and Spb Backup are very cool. I'll soon publish some test results - now, I can't say anything for sure because the backup/restore reliability, speed, remote tests will take some time.

The Sunnysoft app is unreliable, as far as backing up/restoring system databases is concerned and, therefore, I would heavily advise against it. It may be OK if you don't let it backup/restore WindowsCE databases though.



Will there be a PPC Thoughts WM5 backup roundup &amp; comparison? This sounds like a job for Menneisyys!

Working on it ;)

It'll take a day or two - making numerous tests on two of my WM5 devices.

[galt]

Thanks, &amp; seriously dude, you rock. Your level of analysis is really appreciated.

[kinmont]

Highly recommended to install into device memory (not on external card).

the backup program it self should be installed on deviceinstead of storage card. not the actual backup file. the backup file should be saved to a storage card.

Uhm, wouldn't you WANT the backup software on non-volatile memory? I guess with WM5 that's moot but running this type of software from a card would be key for me. Im not always near activesynch to reinstall the software. :|

[Jacob]

One thing that Sprite has over this is the ability to restore specific files. I can't find a way to just restore say, just one file using SPB.

[vassiliphilippov]

...I move my icons into folders under \Windows\Start Menu\Programs. A hard reset will put all the original icons are back into the main Programs folder. After a restoration, the old Sprite Backup actually deletes all the icons that don't belong there, but Sunnysoft didn't. I believe this is what they mean by a destructive restore. Question is, what does Spb Backup do?

Spb Backup restores your device exactly to the same state as it was before backup. Means if some files existed were deleted by you they will be deleted by Spb Backup.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

[vassiliphilippov]

I can't find a way to just restore say, just one file using SPB.

On a Pocket PC you can choose "Custom Restore" on the first step of the restore wizard and choose what type of information to restore. The following options are available:
* PIM Data
* Emails
* My Documents
* System Data

If you need next level of customization (as you said you want to restore just one file) you can use Spb Backup Unpack Tool:

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/unpack/screenshot.gif

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/unpack.html

Spb Backup Unpack tool is a desktop PC program for extracting files, registry and databases information from backup files created by Spb Backup.

Using this tool you can "unpack" the backup file on your PC and choose any file(s) or even take only some specific keys of registry.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

[jpaq1]

Does Spb Backup backup text messages (i.e. SMS) and MMS messages as well?

[dma1965]

Fading to off topic - sorry

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

Is this for all PocketPC cards. Like my hx4700 SD and CF cards? I've had some errors recently on my SD card when IGuidance accesses large maps.
-Edgar

I found this format to be 100% effective so far with all SD cards, but I also forgot to mention that you must also NOT make a backup FAT.

[Menneisyys]

Does Spb Backup backup text messages (i.e. SMS) and MMS messages as well?

Yes. The WinCE database backup/restore support for SMS is part of my Backup Tester Suite; Spb has no problems with it.

[Menneisyys]

Fading to off topic - sorry

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

Is this for all PocketPC cards. Like my hx4700 SD and CF cards? I've had some errors recently on my SD card when IGuidance accesses large maps.
-Edgar

I found this format to be 100% effective so far with all SD cards, but I also forgot to mention that you must also NOT make a backup FAT.

Well, some cards perform better if there's a FAT backup - see http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17921 .

Also, the FAT32/4k cluster combination is not necessarily the best, performance-wise for all cards - please see my comparison charts in the above article if interested.

[Menneisyys]

One thing I noticed about Sunnysoft Backup was that it didn't remove items during restore - meaning, I move my icons into folders under \Windows\Start Menu\Programs. A hard reset will put all the original icons are back into the main Programs folder. After a restoration, the old Sprite Backup actually deletes all the icons that don't belong there, but Sunnysoft didn't. I believe this is what they mean by a destructive restore. Question is, what does Spb Backup do?

Spb Backup is destructive, which is indeed preferable. I've tested this with file system-based files only (didn't have time for more elaborate tests so far, destructiveness-wise; after all, it's alsways preferable to make a hard reset before restoring, particularly with non-destructive backup apps). I haven't tested it with WinCE databases/the Registry and, tehrefore, I'm not sure whether it really cleans up everything there and replaces it with the restored stuff.

Please note that Sprite Backup 5 is non-destructive and, therefore, a hard reset is a MUST before restoration.

[Menneisyys]

I missed the self extracting files part. Sprite does that as well, they take up a bit more space though, but worth it for a single backup of a clean install.

Sprite 5 doesn't create self-extracting backups; all you can do is making it install a Sprite Backup executable on the storage card. That is, you will, after a hard reset, not click the backup file itself but start the app first and then, there restore the backup.

[jpaq1]

Does Spb Backup backup text messages (i.e. SMS) and MMS messages as well?

Yes. The WinCE database backup/restore support for SMS is part of my Backup Tester Suite; Spb has no problems with it.

Thank you so much for the very prompt reply! Cheers!

[dma1965]

Fading to off topic - sorry

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

Is this for all PocketPC cards. Like my hx4700 SD and CF cards? I've had some errors recently on my SD card when IGuidance accesses large maps.
-Edgar

I found this format to be 100% effective so far with all SD cards, but I also forgot to mention that you must also NOT make a backup FAT.

Well, some cards perform better if there's a FAT backup - see http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17921 .

Also, the FAT32/4k cluster combination is not necessarily the best, performance-wise for all cards - please see my comparison charts in the above article if interested.

No, not performance wise, but for the cards I have used, stability wise it has been the best, and I got the original guidelines from your article, so thanks for that ! :D

[Menneisyys]

Fading to off topic - sorry

This used to happen to me all the time, until I read an article from a post here, and it mentioned better stability based on the format. I noticed if I do FAT32 and 4K cluster size, it seems to not happen.

Is this for all PocketPC cards. Like my hx4700 SD and CF cards? I've had some errors recently on my SD card when IGuidance accesses large maps.
-Edgar

I found this format to be 100% effective so far with all SD cards, but I also forgot to mention that you must also NOT make a backup FAT.

Well, some cards perform better if there's a FAT backup - see http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17921 .

Also, the FAT32/4k cluster combination is not necessarily the best, performance-wise for all cards - please see my comparison charts in the above article if interested.

No, not performance wise, but for the cards I have used, stability wise it has been the best, and I got the original guidelines from your article, so thanks for that ! :D

Cool :) You're welcome.

[Jacob]

I can't find a way to just restore say, just one file using SPB.

On a Pocket PC you can choose "Custom Restore" on the first step of the restore wizard and choose what type of information to restore. The following options are available:
* PIM Data
* Emails
* My Documents
* System Data

If you need next level of customization (as you said you want to restore just one file) you can use Spb Backup Unpack Tool:


Thanks.. that is a useful workaround, however I would hope you'd make note of the possibility of a finer customization for a future release ;)

[Menneisyys]

I can't find a way to just restore say, just one file using SPB.

On a Pocket PC you can choose "Custom Restore" on the first step of the restore wizard and choose what type of information to restore. The following options are available:
* PIM Data
* Emails
* My Documents
* System Data

If you need next level of customization (as you said you want to restore just one file) you can use Spb Backup Unpack Tool:


Thanks.. that is a useful workaround, however I would hope you'd make note of the possibility of a finer customization for a future release ;)

Files can be individually backed up/restored. It's only with WinCE databases that you can't do the same (unlike with Sprite Backup 5).

[TheWolfen]

I'm quite happy to see this. If it really makes self-extracting backup files that are significantly smaller than Sprite Backup, I'm going to have to purchase this. I'm installing the trial now. FYI - for those of you who have purchased other products from SPB, they offer a discount program (20%). Just look for the link on their web site under Discounts. Very nice!

[Menneisyys]

I'm quite happy to see this. If it really makes self-extracting backup files that are significantly smaller than Sprite Backup

It does; they're proved smaller with about 20% in all my tests. I will soon publish my first comparative results.

[nicholas]

Does Spb Backup backup text messages (i.e. SMS) and MMS messages as well?

Yes. The WinCE database backup/restore support for SMS is part of my Backup Tester Suite; Spb has no problems with it.

We tested on different phone edition devices and we can confirm that SMS/MMS messages can be restored correctly.

-----
Nicholas Tsipanov
Spb Backup Team

[Menneisyys]

As readers of my articles already know, you do need a backup software under Windows Mobile 5 too and there're only two reliable backup solutions: Sprite Backup 5 (http://spritesoftware.com/) and Spb Backup 1.0 (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/?en).

(Please note that you should only use these links to get these applications. For example, some Chinese site at http://download.enet.com.cn/html/EN465552006012001.html advertises a beta, build 1441 version of Spb Backup as the "final" one.)

I've already elaborated on the (missing) capabilities of these two applications in my previous articles (please make sure you read them). The only real difference between the final version of Spb Backup and the reviewed betas is the newly added scheduled backup (see screenshot 1 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupScheduled-1.bmp.png) and 2 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupScheduled-2.bmp.png); in the latter one, the 'm t k...' stuff is the Finnish for the weekdays). Therefore, the reader is referred to the linked, earlier articles for more information on the capabilities. As with all my other articles, you're supposed to read my previous articles and my forum posts (they're linked in the "Recommended reading" section; you may also want to follow the links elsewhere in the article, they also contain a lot of interesting and related information) on the subject – I don't want to repeat the (pretty extensive) information here I've already spoken about in my old(er) articles or forum posts.


(Incidentally, you may ask why I need more time to test the scheduling capabilities. It's pretty simple. Scheduled backups may have problems because of how the operating system behaves when it's awaken. As you may have heard, it's not necessarily behaving like as it should – this have been the source of a lot of problems, particularly under WM2003/ WM2003SE. That is, I need to make some time-comsuming 'does it really awake? Doesn't it shut down during the backup? Are operating system hacks needed to keep it awake in all the supported operating systems? Does the latency of the storage cards' becoming available only some seconds after powering up the Pocket PC cause problems?' reliability tests. Finally, advanced tests like Exchange PIM backup tests also require some time.)

Now, some direct comparison of the capabilities, the compliance with my test devices, the speed and the backup file sizes of the two applications.

Generic stuff and capabilities

Comparison chart here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/sekalaiset/SpbSpriteBackupComparisonChart.html)

Much as Spb Backup definitely has a lead by having a nice, separately downloadable/installable desktop extractor tool (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupDesktopExtractor.png), which, as opposed to STGViewer and even HPC Vault (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;p=442&amp;amp;more=1) is even able to restore the entire registry/all WinCE databases to the desktop (but only to the desktop, unlike HPC Vault; this is certainly a problem, given that it isn't capable of selective WinCE database restoring on the PDA), Spb is decidecly weaker in some other, important areas, particularly as far as desktop-based and remote (Internet/LAN-based) backup/restore is concerned. It doesn't have the ability to selectively backup/restore WindowsCE databases either. The latter could be nice in cases – for example, when you only need a certain WinCE database (for example, the Contacts database only), particularly from another Pocket PC. Sprite Backup is stronger in these areas.


One of my biggest complaints with Sprite Backup is the lack of any similar, desktop-based tool, as far as file / system database / Registry extraction is concerned. It wouldn't be complicated to write one. Even I, despite officially not having the Sprite backup file format information, could easily implement it. This would be even easier for the Sprite folks because they don't need to discover the file/storage format of their own backup files. (Note that I've written/authored several backup restorer/extractor tools – see for example my HTC xBackup extractor tool (http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16922) and ActiveSync Contacts extractor tool (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43819).)

For the casual user that doesn't need a desktop PC-based backup agent and doesn't need the excellent, seamless backup capabilities of ActiveSync (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;p=442&amp;amp;more=1), Spb's approach (the PDA-based backup) can be sufficient, though.

Another big disappointment with the new Sprite Backup is the lack of the excellent device upgrade mode (http://spritesoftware.crmdesk.com/answer.aspx?id=168&amp;amp;back=browse.aspx%23p15) of previous, pre-WM5 versions. This upgrade mode makes it unnecessary to do what has been done for example here (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40209) and here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/pl720restore/). The lack of this feature is really painful.

As far as Spb Backup is concerned, it has another problem: when you backup, you can include/exclude any file from the backup set. However, the same is not possible when you restore your backup - as opposed to the backup program (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupRC1CustomBackup.bmp.png), there's no Options button on the restoration screen (http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupRestoreNoChoosableFile.bmp.png).

The only way to restore just a given set of files (and not all of them), you will need to turn to Spb Backup Unpack, unpack all the files in a backup file onto a desktop PC and transfer the given files to the PDA. This is certainly much more cumbersome than Sprite's approach.

Finally, as far as exclusion is concerned, in Sprite Backup you can define automatic exclusion rules (so that you don't end up manually having to exlude all, say, *.tmp files in all directories). This is, unfortunately, not possible in Spb Backup.


Benchmarks

Comparison chart here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/sekalaiset/SpbSpriteBackupBenchmarkChart.html)


As can clearly be seen, Spb Backup is about two times slower on both devices than Sprite Backup. It's especially slow at restoring some 30 Mbytes on the Wizard. On the other hand, it creates about 20% smaller (and, what is more, executable) backup files – and works wonderfully with both devices, unlike Sprite.

New problems found with Sprite Backup 5

In addition to its inability to work with HP devices with Credant/HP Protect installed (http://spritesoftware.crmdesk.com/answer.aspx?id=227&amp;amp;back=browse.aspx%23p26), Sprite Backup also has problems with some other, bootup-time services. For example, many Pocket PC Phone Edition devices (for example, the HTC Wizard-rebrand Qtek 9100 with the latest, official ROM version 1.6.7.1 (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;p=518&amp;amp;more=1)) pop up a notification upon booting, displaying the geographical location of the user. This will cause the Today screen to be displayed and the Pocket PC to start working, while Sprite continues backing up in the background. Unfortunately, removing the SIM card from the Wizard won't help in this case because, then, the "no SIM card found" dialer will be displayed and, after exiting it, you'll also be taken to the Today screen. The only way to switch back to Sprite Backup to actually see what is happening is executing it again.

All in all, it's better not to use Sprite Backup to back up devices like this because of the (even if they're small/negligable) inconsistencies this problem may cause.

Note that this bug isn't present with earlier HTC Wizard ROM versions, which don't display the location notification after a soft reset.

Verdict

I think it's a bit early to say which backup app to go for, particularly if you want to back up Exchange-synchronized data or regularly use the scheduled backup capabilities (or, the remote/desktop agent-based backup capabilities).

If you, however, have a WM5 Pocket PC incompatible with Sprite Backup (some iPAQ's, some PPC PE devices), I think it's safe to go straight for Spb Backup, regardless of the outcome of my further tests. Particularly, because it also has a trial version and is considerably cheaper (unless you own an earlier version of Sprite and use the mail-in rebate) – unlike Sprite Backup.

Also, if you plan to back up your Pocket PC's with earlier operating systems with a unified, capable tool (instead of, say, the pretty incapable tools of most Pocket PC's, except for WM2003+ iPAQ's, which have the Sprite Backup-based, capable and reliable iPAQ Backup), go for Spb Backup. That way, you only need to spend $20 on a backup tool that works on all non-Pocket PC 2000 devices.

However, Sprite Backup does have features that Spb Backup just can't match – see for example the question of selective file restoration, network backups or the highly useful automated desktop-based backups (if you used ActiveSync backups, you will like it too). If you have a compatible device and can make a decent deal with the Sprite folks as far as further upgrades are concerned (or money-back guarantee if on your new ROM version/new device it doesn't work), Sprite Backup may be a better solution.


Recommended reading

Sprite Backup 5 is out (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;p=517&amp;amp;more=1)
A review of the latest Spb Backup beta (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;title=wm5_users_new_beta_version_of_spb_backup&amp;amp;more=1)
Dell Axim x51v users: refrain from using the built-in Data Backup! It's unreliable (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;amp;title=dell_axim_x51v_users_refrain_from_using&amp;amp;more=1) (incidentally, the backup/restore times I've measured with the same test suite were 4:00 and 7:46, respectively; it created a 59Mbyte backup file).

ADDITION (16-Feb-2006): According to AximSite forum member netsyd (http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1000165), while Sprite Backup is incompatible with synchronized Exchange data, Spb Backup has no problems with dealing with them.

[bnycastro]

Very helpful Menneisyys! Thanks :)

[Paragon]

When it comes to backup applications dependability is an absolute must. Sunnysoft was far to flaky for me. I'm not so sure of Sprite. Just the odd comment I've heard from people didn't build much confidence. Plus I've had the odd problem with Sprite Backup in the past. SPB Backup so far seems solid. After reading 40 previous posts in this thread, that just seemed to reinforce that issue. A large part of a backup solution is the personal confidence you have in the solution you are using. If I feel confident in the app, than I feel much more relaxed, knowing that anything can happen and I'm back up and running in a few minutes.

I read 2-3 posts from people who mentioned that SPB Backup does not backup storage cards. I'm not sure that is much of an issue. The only way it is effective to back up a storage card is if you are backing up to a desktop, in that event you can simply copy or storage card folder and paste it to a folder on your desktop anyway. Very simple.

Finally, I feel confident that Murphy's Law can pay me a visit and I'm prepared. Especially since I'm heading out of town on Friday for a couple of weeks, and the only time I ever seem to need a backup is when I'm away from home. ;)

Dave

[Jacob]

Files can be individually backed up/restored. It's only with WinCE databases that you can't do the same (unlike with Sprite Backup 5).

How? When I launch my restore exe file I get PIM Data, my documents, and System Data with no option to drill down to the individual file level.

I mean, without backing up an individual file ONLY. I mean having a full backup and then only restoring one file from that backup.

[Menneisyys]

Files can be individually backed up/restored. It's only with WinCE databases that you can't do the same (unlike with Sprite Backup 5).

How? When I launch my restore exe file I get PIM Data, my documents, and System Data with no option to drill down to the individual file level.

I mean, without backing up an individual file ONLY. I mean having a full backup and then only restoring one file from that backup.

Just click the button on the right ;)

[TheWolfen]

So far, I'm quite pleased with SPB Backup, too. My 27MB backup file (under Sprite) became 20MB under SPB. So far, the biggest weakness I see is the lack of support for backing up built-in storage (and storage cards, I guess). With storage cards I can put them in a reader and copy them to my PC, so that's no problem. However, I can't do that with BIS, so my only option there is ActiveSync. Since I have a few databases in BIS, AS always wants to convert them, of course.

So.. I hope SPB will add BIS backup in the next release. I might buy it and just trust that they'll add the feature eventually, but we'll see.

[Menneisyys]

With storage cards I can put them in a reader and copy them to my PC, so that's no problem. However, I can't do that with BIS, so my only option there is ActiveSync. Since I have a few databases in BIS, AS always wants to convert them, of course.

This is a very common problem but very easy to fix (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=269&amp;more=1). Options/Rules/Conversion Settings/Device to Desktop (and Desktop to Device) and just switch off conversion.

Alternatively, if you use the WinCE FS plug-in of Total Commander, no conversion will take place.

[TheWolfen]

Good point - I had completely forgotten conversion could be turned off. I'd still like to see them add the feature, but at least now it isn't critical to me. Thanks very much!!!

[burtcom]

I read 2-3 posts from people who mentioned that SPB Backup does not backup storage cards. I'm not sure that is much of an issue. The only way it is effective to back up a storage card is if you are backing up to a desktop, in that event you can simply copy or storage card folder and paste it to a folder on your desktop anyway. Very simple.

Actually, what I'd like to see for backing up storage cards is what I would call a "smart" backup -- the app would check the date-time of the file on the remote end, and if the local file is newer then it gets copied -- this way the first time you backup it takes a while, but subsequent backups are much shorter.

[Jason Lee]

I've used Sprite for some time now, as ipaq backup on my hp and then bought it for my sx-66. I now have a k-jam on order through my work and hope to get it in the next few months. I've always loved Spb programs so I went ahead and bought it. :)

So far I am very pleased with it. Nice and simple, yet powerful when you dig into the options.

I did run into a problem during installation. I have Spb Pocket Plus and Diary both displayed on the today page and nothing else. The Backup installer would cause the today page to flicker and would never actually install. The progress bar never moved. After a few tries and reboots still no luck. So I disabled plus and diary on my today screen and ran the installer again. Worked just fine. I reenabled plus and diary and all is well. Kinda strange though. :)

[Jacob]

Files can be individually backed up/restored. It's only with WinCE databases that you can't do the same (unlike with Sprite Backup 5).

How? When I launch my restore exe file I get PIM Data, my documents, and System Data with no option to drill down to the individual file level.

I mean, without backing up an individual file ONLY. I mean having a full backup and then only restoring one file from that backup.

Just click the button on the right ;)

You're going to have to be more specific than that. Here's what I see:

"Select the items you want to restore:
PIM Data
My Documents
System Data"

Buttons: Cancel, back, next.

If I tap on next then I get the adjust time dialog. If I tap on next again I get a dialog that tells me to tap next to restore.

Which button "on the rigtht" are you talking about?

[Menneisyys]

Files can be individually backed up/restored. It's only with WinCE databases that you can't do the same (unlike with Sprite Backup 5).

How? When I launch my restore exe file I get PIM Data, my documents, and System Data with no option to drill down to the individual file level.

I mean, without backing up an individual file ONLY. I mean having a full backup and then only restoring one file from that backup.

Just click the button on the right ;)

You're going to have to be more specific than that. Here's what I see:

"Select the items you want to restore:
PIM Data
My Documents
System Data"

Buttons: Cancel, back, next.

If I tap on next then I get the adjust time dialog. If I tap on next again I get a dialog that tells me to tap next to restore.

Which button "on the rigtht" are you talking about?

When you select System Data, click Options here:

http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupRC1CustomBackup.bmp.png

Once inside, click Customize here:

http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/SpbBackupSystemDataCustomize.bmp.png

[Menneisyys]

Good point - I had completely forgotten conversion could be turned off. I'd still like to see them add the feature, but at least now it isn't critical to me. Thanks very much!!!

You are welcome :)

[Jacob]

When you select System Data, click Options here:


You are displaying screenshots of backing up - I know you can backup one file.

I'm talking about restoring ONLY one file from a complete backup.

With sprite backup I can backup the entire file system then use that self-extracting exe to restore only one file - none others.

With SPB I can only restore one file ONLY if I have a backup of that file alone.

I hope that's clear.

[Menneisyys]

When you select System Data, click Options here:


You are displaying screenshots of backing up - I know you can backup one file.

I'm talking about restoring ONLY one file from a complete backup.

With sprite backup I can backup the entire file system then use that self-extracting exe to restore only one file - none others.

With SPB I can only restore one file ONLY if I have a backup of that file alone.

I hope that's clear.

Oops. Sorry - I've just returned from 2 hours of swimming and am really tired. You're right - you can't do that on the PPC. The button is missing in the restorer app.

However, if you install Spb Backup Unpack (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/unpack.html?en), you'll be able to unpack all the files in a backup file onto a desktop PC. Then, you'll only need to transfer this file to your PDA.

Not the cleanest/fastest solution, I know, but it works.

[Jacob]

Oops. Sorry - I've just returned from 2 hours of swimming and am really tired. You're right - you can't do that on the PPC. The button is missing in the restorer app.

No problem. I was wondering why the developer of the app told me that I couldn't do it on the PPC and then you said you could.

I still hope they can get this feature into a future version.

[Menneisyys]

(Just updated my review a bit with new links/screenshots. See Page 4.)

[CESkins]

Can Spb Backup monitor battery charge and automatically initiate a backup if the level falls critically low like Sprite backup (at least v3.x) can?

[Menneisyys]

Can Spb Backup monitor battery charge and automatically initiate a backup if the level falls critically low like Sprite backup (at least v3.x) can?

Nope; neither Sprite Backup 5 (because it's not needed under WM5 and Sprite Backup being WM5-compliant only, it doesn't need this feature) nor Spb Backup (this is, on the other hand, is a remarkable omission, given that Spb Backup runs on all PPC OS'es except for PPC2k) are capable of this.

[Holger Hillmer]

I tried the backup in order to save the journals and links from PocketInformant. Sprite Backup dont give them back. After the backup-file is restored PocketInfomant takes more than an hour, to reconstruct the jounals and links (ca. 2500 contacts). While reconstructing the jounal, PocketInfomant take the whole device (XDA II). No other functions can be activated. That is not acceptable. So I hoped SPB-backup would backup and restore the whole Informations of PocketInfomant jounals and links in the original way.

I must say, it dont. So, as I used PockeInformant since 3 years I still have to renounce this important featurs.

[ctmagnus]

After having used Sprite Backup since version 1.0.0.1, I made the leap to Spb backup. Imo, it's a much nicer experience overall. The only thing I dislike about it is the lack of granularity with both backing up and restoring, compared to Sprite.

[WorksForTurkeys]

As both products suit my backup needs, it seems to me that Sprite has gotten a little too comfortable being the only fish in the sea.

Although I've been a continuous customer (on both my smartphones and PDAs) of the Sprite Software developers since they originally worked on Ghost, I'm going with the software company that has consistently demonstrated that they value my repeat business, so I switched to SPB.

[ctmagnus]

I had a spontaneous hard-reset today (I believe that is #3 in five years) and it appears that Spb Backup is much better at restoring than Sprite Backup is. I always had to perform several extra steps on the device after restoring a Sprite Backup; most of those steps aren't necessary with Spb Backup. :way to go:

[WorksForTurkeys]

I tried the backup in order to save the journals and links from PocketInformant. Sprite Backup dont give them back. After the backup-file is restored PocketInfomant takes more than an hour, to reconstruct the jounals and links (ca. 2500 contacts). While reconstructing the jounal, PocketInfomant take the whole device (XDA II). No other functions can be activated. That is not acceptable. So I hoped SPB-backup would backup and restore the whole Informations of PocketInfomant jounals and links in the original way.

I must say, it dont. So, as I used PockeInformant since 3 years I still have to renounce this important featurs.

Just wondering: have you tried WebIS's JournalSync? It sounds like you need its features.

[Jacob]

I had a spontaneous hard-reset today (I believe that is #3 in five years) and it appears that Spb Backup is much better at restoring than Sprite Backup is. I always had to perform several extra steps on the device after restoring a Sprite Backup; most of those steps aren't necessary with Spb Backup. :way to go:

Like what steps?

I've tried SPB Backup and I agreed with your assessment above - the speed of this thing is great.

What steps are you avoiding?

[ctmagnus]

I had a spontaneous hard-reset today (I believe that is #3 in five years) and it appears that Spb Backup is much better at restoring than Sprite Backup is. I always had to perform several extra steps on the device after restoring a Sprite Backup; most of those steps aren't necessary with Spb Backup. :way to go:

Like what steps?

I've tried SPB Backup and I agreed with your assessment above - the speed of this thing is great.

What steps are you avoiding?

The steps I didn't have to perform post-restore this time were (quoted from my ListPro list I made way back when Sprite Backup was the only option):

* Buttons - Lock settings
* Buttons - Reset to what they were before
* Reenable ClearType
* Resync mobile favorites
* Synchronize files that didn't make it back across after the Sprite restore
* Set WakeupTweak settings - Battery + AC to 60 sec each

[bnycastro]

in my case i had to re-sync mobile favorites and files [everything was restored but my files on the pc were not there] anyway i just un-check the files and mobile favorites option in activesync, then re-check them and they were both in sync again. using SPB Backup 1.0 build 1775 and dopod 838 [wm5] very happy with this app!

[Menneisyys]

I had a spontaneous hard-reset today (I believe that is #3 in five years) and it appears that Spb Backup is much better at restoring than Sprite Backup is. I always had to perform several extra steps on the device after restoring a Sprite Backup; most of those steps aren't necessary with Spb Backup. :way to go:

Like what steps?

I've tried SPB Backup and I agreed with your assessment above - the speed of this thing is great.

What steps are you avoiding?

The steps I didn't have to perform post-restore this time were (quoted from my ListPro list I made way back when Sprite Backup was the only option):

* Buttons - Lock settings
* Buttons - Reset to what they were before
* Reenable ClearType
* Resync mobile favorites
* Synchronize files that didn't make it back across after the Sprite restore
* Set WakeupTweak settings - Battery + AC to 60 sec each

OIC. This certainly shows Sprite didn't restore the entire file system / registry (buttons, ClearType). Which version of Sprite was that? I'm absolutely sure the latest one(s) correctly restore all these (I've paid special attention to testing restoring everything in my tests).

[iant54]

I've switched to Spb Backup (very happy with it!) from Sprite, and have scheduled back-ups. However, I also have TranCreative's Nice Start installed and the back-up doesn't start because the password needs to be input.

I've just been on the Spb website to request a "fix" for my problem.

[ctmagnus]

OIC. This certainly shows Sprite didn't restore the entire file system / registry (buttons, ClearType). Which version of Sprite was that? I'm absolutely sure the latest one(s) correctly restore all these (I've paid special attention to testing restoring everything in my tests).

That was with the latest 3.x version, on an iPaq 5550. I'd imagine that some of those issues would be device-specific if you didn't experience them.

[timmy]

Hi,

Does anybody know of a good backup software for PocketPC2000? I still have an old iPaq and it seems that the oldest WM version supported by the reviewed SW is 2002. What is the difference under the hood? Is it possible that it just works, or will it trash my PocketPC if I try installing it?

/Timmy

[Menneisyys]

Hi,

Does anybody know of a good backup software for PocketPC2000? I still have an old iPaq and it seems that the oldest WM version supported by the reviewed SW is 2002. What is the difference under the hood? Is it possible that it just works, or will it trash my PocketPC if I try installing it?

/Timmy

I don't think it'll trash your iPAQ - give it a try, it may install. Or not.

(BTW, why don't you upgrade your iPAQ to PPC2k2?)

[timmy]

I don't think it'll trash your iPAQ - give it a try, it may install. Or not.

(BTW, why don't you upgrade your iPAQ to PPC2k2?)

Thanks for your comments! I tried to get the 2k2 upgrade, but it was a time limited offer here in Sweden, so it is unfortunately not longer available.

/Timmy

[Menneisyys]

I don't think it'll trash your iPAQ - give it a try, it may install. Or not.

(BTW, why don't you upgrade your iPAQ to PPC2k2?)

Thanks for your comments! I tried to get the 2k2 upgrade, but it was a time limited offer here in Sweden, so it is unfortunately not longer available.

/Timmy

eBay? Look for CD-based, offline sellers; 'instant download' versions are almost always pirated copies.

[tanalasta]

Just bought it on Handango with the 20% discount (as I own other SPB products) ... interesting how SPB activation/registration remains just a simple serial. :)

I'm impressed. Simple interface. 800kb download/install. Fast (14Mb backup file took 3 minutes 14 seconds with a Dell Axim x51 and a 60x Kingston 1Gb SD).

Haven't had the opportunity (I only just reinstalled everything so don't want to risk it) to restore yet.

My only suggestions are:
1. Desktop backup - shouldn't be too hard for them to program ... all it really needs to do is transfer the PPC backup file to the PC really.
2. SD card backup - again should be quite simple for the programmers to update.

It's only at v1.00.00 so I'm impressed at how well it works!

[BukTop]

My only suggestions are:
1. Desktop backup - shouldn't be too hard for them to program ... all it really needs to do is transfer the PPC backup file to the PC really.
2. SD card backup - again should be quite simple for the programmers to update.
Both features you asked for will be implemented in further versions of Spb Backup. You can also use <a href=http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/support.html>Spb support page</a> to submit more feature requests :lol:

Sincerely,
Victor Bargachev
Spb Software House.

[nicholas]

Thank for all contributors of this thread!

We have released a new version of Spb Backup 1.1. We addressed many issues found by our users in this release.
WHAT'S NEW IN THIS RELEASE:
* Compatibility with HP Protect Tools
* Compatibility with Odyssey client
* Hang before starting backup bug encountered on some devices fixed
* Scheduled backup in some cases not starting bug fixed
* Spb Backup Unpack Tool bug fix update
* Minor interface improvements

You can download a new version of Spb Backup 1.1 from http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/download.html
According to the Spb upgrade policy the upgrade is free for all existing customers of Spb Backup 1.0.

Nicholas Tsipanov

Spb Backup Team
Spb Software House

[hezahonker]

I have something wrong on my device that is causing a problem with Active Sync. If I do a Hard Reset I can sync but if I restore my system files the problem is back and the device won't sync. Obviously I can't restore the items causing problems. However, does anyone here know how to utilized an unpack system data files to avoid putting on what would mess up active sync? I looked at the unpacked files but I am not sure what item would be causing a problem. Should I just not load anything that has reference to active sync? Not sure. :oops:

[Edgar_]

I would take advantage of that hard reset to install one piece of software at a time until the error returns - then you have found the problem. You can then restore without that software or redo the hard reset - install from scratch everything except the culprit then restore from backup your data files.

[hezahonker]

I like that idea but things get a bit complicated because I don't have but two items or app in program memory so the rest of the system data is databases and windows stuff. trying to find a corrupt file in windows or on a database could be impossible in my eyes...especially when I have no idea what all the dlls are ect...

I guess I was hoping that someone would know directly what files on the pocket pc are related to as ...I see the active sync file in windows but other than that I am not sure what else it could be.

[Edgar_]

Well, I doubt the OS files are corrupted since they are in ROM and cant be overwritten. But they can be over ridden by a new software. (they actually remain in memory but the registry tells the OS to use the newer file).

If you only have two apps, reinstall both and restore just the data. If the software has a corrupt file the reinstall will fix it. If the software causes the problem you will also see it by soft resetting after each install and trying to synch.

[hezahonker]

OK so far so good I am just loading everything on one by one manually so I can see what will effect active sync so far nothing not even the programs that I have manually installed from the backup. I have two items left to restore databases and registry. How do you install database files and registry files from the unpacked contents?

[Edgar_]

Sorry, I haven't used the SPB backup software unpack tool yet. I'm sure if you hit their forum or PM Victor or Menneisyys
directly you'll get a quick answer.

[nicholas]

hezahonker,

I have contacted you by PM, please check your inbox.

Nicholas

[hezahonker]

One idea in all of this is something that may or may not be easy to do.

how about if spb could make a packer to go with the unpacker. that way, you could remove and correct the corrupted pieces of your unpacked files (ie databases) and repack them so you can reinstall them.

This is the problem with backup. wont help to backup files that are corrupt. so I can see why spb developed the upacking method. we will need the ability to install databases in a more user friendly way. I wonder if creating an executable repack would be helpful for those of us who are not so savvy. Just my two cents.

[Edgar_]

I guess I really dont know what you are trying to do.

You seem to be way overthinking this whole thing and making it overly complex. What specific apps are you having trouble with?

With SPB or Sprite you can backup just your databases and/or registry (see this thread earlier). Reinstalling your apps replaces all the dll's etc so thats moot. Remeber that its not just a file that could be corrupted, it could be the registry. Reinstalling the apps rebuild the registry files as well.

Then just restore the data. Once you have a solid built PPC with all your data backup and make this your master backup until you make another software change / addition - then recreate it. This becomes your base install as the "last known good of last resort". Then just recreate data from other backups. I have one that is three months old, but its my base configuration that I know is solid.

Alternatively, you restore your full backup from a less old previously known good backup (perhaps a week ago) then restore your data. Remember that activesynch will restore all the Outlook specific databases and any defined in your file synch. A good habit to get into is to store your databases in the PPC's "My Documents" folder (any of them, card, file store, memory etc) then select the activesynch file synchronization and they will be backed up to your desktop and synched each time (yes I understand your problem started with activesynch not working, but your data would have been there from previous to the error). You can also tell activesynch file synch exactly which files to copy back and forth.

[hezahonker]

yeah, I get what your saying and I completely understand. what I am trying to do is restore piece by piece without having to reinstall apps by activeync or cab. i guess what I want is to not have to reinstall my apps if I choose to use the unpacked files by dragging them to my device. In doing so I am hoping as I drag each one on the device and then reset I will see what is broken.

so what I am trying to do is just copy the files such as program files , window s etc...one by one until my device is completely restored.

[Edgar_]

Ok, I really think you are going to just cause more problems. Each app could have a dozen or more files spread across the windows directory, a program directory and elsewhere. Not to mention registry entries.

I can guarantee you will end up with more problems. And probably still not find the problem. That's nuts.

For the time you are taking you could reinstall each app cleanly from cab or activesynch. What can that take? 5 minutes per app?

I have over 30 applications on my PPC - I can reinstall all of them in maybe an hour to an hour and a half. Then restore my data and be up within 2 hrs. IF I use my Clean backup then restore current data I take less than 20 minutes. You've been at this for two days.

Reinstall from scratch. Nothing personal, but I've said my piece and have nothing more to add to this piece of the thread

Good luck.

[hezahonker]

I appreciate your help. You have answered my questions so don't feel frustrated. It is never a life or death situation for me to loose my data. My calendar is what is important to me and that is always on outlook so I never worry what gets lost. It is good to backup to save time so I like that but I don't die if I have to restore everything from scratch.

I have ample ways to restore as I archive my backups, so I will just go back and find a backup that works or hard reset. it isn't the time spent on this that bothers me. I was just trying to see if there was a newer way of doing thing. I think we have determined not.

I do complicate everything because I want to know how every last thing works. Love it. :D

It has been fun learning about this. Take care. 8)

[phreaker18]

i seem to be having a problem.... when i back up using SPB... the PIM data does not get backed up.... as a result i lost all my PM data from the device as well as from the PC... as i did a backup. and the device wrote over the PC.. now why did this happen and how can i prevent/ correct it.... is there any way of getting that information i lost from my PC outlook back??

please help me

[buzzard]

i seem to be having a problem.... when i back up using SPB... the PIM data does not get backed up.... as a result i lost all my PM data from the device as well as from the PC... as i did a backup. and the device wrote over the PC.. now why did this happen and how can i prevent/ correct it.... is there any way of getting that information i lost from my PC outlook back??

please help me
Usually the detail on your PC is put into your Outlook deleted items folder on the PC and you should be able to put everything back.

[nicholas]

Sorry for this inconvenience. This problem happens on quite specific configurations so it took us some time to investigate it.

If you experience this problem and find that ActiveSync deleted your contact items please have a look into "Deleted Items" folder, in most cases Outlook will place them there while syncing.

Currently we have a fix and we do a beta testing. If you experience this problem please send me a Private Message and I will provide you with version. As soon as we make sure that this issue is gone we will make the new release publicly available.

Thank you,
Nicholas Tsipanov
Spb Backup Team

[haesslich]

I just had to hard-reset again after some software installations caused issues... and had an SPB Backup 1.1 backup on the CF drive. Ran that, and within 15 minutes had finished what had previously taken almost 3 hours worth of work in copying, locating and reregistering programs from the last hard reset, when the backup was made. :D

Truth in advertising, folks.

[phreaker18]

i wish i was as lucky as u.... but alas i was a victim of some stupid bug of spb

[Edgar_]

Just released today:

SPB Backup
Version 1.1.2 (Apr 07, 2006):
Contacts save failure on some configuration fix.

[dsteren]

Hello all,

I created a full backup of my KJam using Spb Backup prior to upgrading the ROM from a very early version to the latest ROM build from Imate.

When I attempt to restore, the restore always times out prior to finishing and then the phone "hangs" on the Windows Mobile splash screen upon rebooting. I have to start over with a hard reset every time!!! (10 times thus far).

I'm now trying to restore the components individually. PIM goes fine, but emails continues to hang.

Any advice? I can't figure out which files to move using Unpack either.

dms

[Darius Wey]

Welcome to Pocket PC Thoughts.

I created a full backup of my KJam using Spb Backup prior to upgrading the ROM from a very early version to the latest ROM build from Imate. When I attempt to restore, the restore always times out prior to finishing and then the phone "hangs" on the Windows Mobile splash screen upon rebooting. I have to start over with a hard reset every time!!! (10 times thus far).

Golden rule: Never attempt cross-ROM version backup and restore jobs. They only lead to problems, because you're replacing key system files with older ones, and also messing about with the registry.

I'm now trying to restore the components individually. PIM goes fine, but emails continues to hang. Any advice? I can't figure out which files to move using Unpack either.

My advice is to hard-reset your device. From there, install all your applications manually, and assuming your personal data is mirrored in a folder on your desktop, copy it over to your device once you've finished installing your applications.

In the future, if you ever wish to use Spb Backup (or any other backup application for that matter), limit the backup and restore jobs to the same ROM version.

[dsteren]

I was able to restore my PIM and Documents from Spb Backup, but can't get Email to restore. I rebuilt everything else and reinstalled my applications.

The main thing I'm missing at this point is all of my legacy text messages. I have all of the files unpacked using SpbUnpack, but I'm not sure where they'd be located or how to put them back on my K-Jam.

FYI, my files were not sync'd or backed up in Active Sync.

If anyone can provide direction on how to get back my text messages, I'd be much obliged!!!

dms

[Darius Wey]

The main thing I'm missing at this point is all of my legacy text messages. I have all of the files unpacked using SpbUnpack, but I'm not sure where they'd be located or how to put them back on my K-Jam.

Have a look in \Windows\Messaging. Your attachments should also be in there, if you didn't choose to save them on a memory card instead.

Any luck?

[dsteren]

I found my legacy messages in cemail.vol, but it won't let me delete or replace that file on my K-Jam... when I try it gives me a "sharing violation".

How can I replace specific files?

dms

[Darius Wey]

I found my legacy messages in cemail.vol, but it won't let me delete or replace that file on my K-Jam... when I try it gives me a "sharing violation".

Mind trying something?

Copy the file to your memory card, then install Spb Pocket Plus and use it to boot the device into safe mode. Once in safe mode, try copying the file from your memory card to your device. Any luck?

[dsteren]

Ok... I happened to already have Pocket Plus located. I rebooted in safe mode after moving the file to my storage card.

When I attempt to delete, cut, rename the existing cemail.vol file, it will not allow me to do so,even in safe mode.

I guess I'm going to give up at this point. I would like to have them back, but the time invested for the gain is become a negative investment.

I guess I don't understand the value of the Unpack utility if you can't use the files to manually insert them on the PPC.

dms

[Darius Wey]

I guess I'm going to give up at this point. I would like to have them back, but the time invested for the gain is become a negative investment.

It shouldn't have to be that way, but unfortunately, I can't think of another way around it at the moment. :(

I guess I don't understand the value of the Unpack utility if you can't use the files to manually insert them on the PPC.

I can see the value if you want to selectively extract and copy certain files back to your device. But if you're dealing with system files, it can get a bit messy.

[Edgar_]

Well, geez, I can see his frustration, messages shouldn't be OS version dependant - they're just a Db aren't they?

While I knew that you cant restore old OS onto the new ROM I always cheated by using Sprite Backup with Device Upgrade mode. It worked well, but alas, not available on the WM5 version.
-Edgar_

This might sound extreme but if the messages are important you can downgrade the OS, restore, mail those messages to your PC then upgrade and mail back.

[carlosmc]

Hi, .... I'm one of those who have done a complete back up... alfter a problem makes me to do one hard reset, now... everithing is working but my contacts are gone,... any help??? I Have SpbBackupUnpack.exe but i don't know what file to look for... any suggestions????

Thanks for the help excuse my poor english...

[Rosie]

Hi everyone, I'm one of those that lost all of the contacts AND appointments on the pda after a hard reset and restore with Spb Backup.
I see I have a hope to get everything back, but I don't know where to find the the Spbbackup Unpack file, or how to use it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Edgar_]

Contacts and Appts are synched to outlook when you start Activesynch. The backup software doesn't usually back that up

[Rosie]

Backup sofware is supposed to backup all PIM data as well, including Contacts and Appts. I used Sprite for several years, and I just switched to Spb Backup because it's much faster and I can restore without my laptop.
According to the posts I've read a few pages back, this seems to be a bug of my version, and the problem is that my Active Sync, after the restore, instead of re-transferring the contacts and appointments back to my pda, simply deleted them from my outlook as well...
:cry:

[Edgar_]

They should be in your outlook deleted folder. You should undelete (hopefully they are there) and then make sure you have activesynch set to replace device with desktop and not vica versa.

[Rosie]

Thank you, it did work.
Now I have to download the latest release of Spb Backup, hoping this one will take care of the bug.
:wink:

[Menneisyys]

Posted a lot of Spb Backup-related, new tips &amp; tricks to my latest article of everything Pocket PC backup; see http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=418131

[freemans]

Have a read on COMPARISON (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=1270&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1 url)

better than guess or view the ads.