I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
I use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.

QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.

Thank you.
Bill S.

bilsch01 wrote:
> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>
> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>
> Thank you.
> Bill S.
>
>

Robocopy

This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000
(I think).

It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you
want.

Refer to:

<https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>

You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as you
like - I would suggest once per week as a minimum - and the time taken
is minimal after the first backup since it is only new and changed files
that are copied.

Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
(apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to change
the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.

--
Graham J

On 3/29/2024 4:05 PM, Graham J wrote:
> bilsch01 wrote:
>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>
>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Bill S.
>>
>>
>
> Robocopy
>
> This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000
> (I think).
>
> It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you
> want.
>
> Refer to:
>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>
>
> You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as you
> like - I would suggest once per week as a minimum - and the time taken
> is minimal after the first backup since it is only new and changed files
> that are copied.
>
> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
> (apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to change
> the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>
or have a unique file on HDD and use batch to establish drive letter used.

On 3/29/24 04:05 PM, Graham J wrote:
> bilsch01 wrote:
>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>
>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Bill S.
>>
>>
>
> Robocopy
>
> This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000 (I think).
>
> It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you want.
>
> Refer to:
>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>
>
> You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as you like - I would suggest once
> per week as a minimum - and the time taken is minimal after the first backup since it is only new
> and changed files that are copied.
>
> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change (apparently at random each time you
> connect it) so being able to change the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>
As for the ever changing drive letter, I found with 99% reliable use, if you go into drive manager
and change the drive letter to something like S:, you get the same drive letter every time. Letting
Windows decide E: because you have a CD D: drive, or F: because you had a 2nd USB plugged in that
got the E: is not fun.

But with that in mind, I've done this for my wife where I did not changed her drive letter.

A batch file that will try several drive letters or exit. You put a specific file in the root so
you can test. The change drive letters to see if it's there. But use ./ not F:/, all relative
directory changes since you really don't know the drive letter.

Test for IamHERE.txt
Use robocopy to mirror a folder on C: to the backup drive.
------------------------------------------------
@echo off
rem /NP No percentage progress displayed
rem /MIR Mirror the data from source to dest
rem /NDL No Directory List
rem /NJS No Job Summary
rem /NJH No Job Header
rem /DST Compensate for one-hour DST time differences.
rem /XF Exclude Files ....
rem /XD Exclude Directories ....

D:
cd \
if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY

E:
cd \
if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY

F:
cd \
if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY
exit

:OKAY
rem this is all one line
robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\documents" . /MIR /NJS /NJH /NDL /DST /XF "thumbs.db" /XD "My Pictures"
"My Movies" "My Videos"

exit
---------------------------------------------------------------

Note that robocopy is making the destination as .
This implies that whatever drive I found the IamHERE.txt file is right and I did a "cd \" then I'm
in the root directory.
--
Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon 6.0.4 Kernel 6.5.0-26-generic
Al

On 3/29/24 04:49 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
> On 3/29/2024 4:05 PM, Graham J wrote:
>> bilsch01 wrote:
>>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>>
>>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>> Bill S.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Robocopy
>>
>> This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000 (I think).
>>
>> It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you want.
>>
>> Refer to:
>>
>> <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>
>>
>> You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as you like - I would suggest
>> once per week as a minimum - and the time taken is minimal after the first backup since it is only
>> new and changed files that are copied.
>>
>> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change (apparently at random each time you
>> connect it) so being able to change the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>>
> or have a unique file on HDD and use batch to establish drive letter used.
+1
I just take too long to type. LOL
--
Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon 6.0.4 Kernel 6.5.0-26-generic
Al

On 29/03/2024 19:54:06, bilsch01 wrote:
> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> I use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>
> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>
> Thank you.
> Bill S.

FreeFileSync
https://freefilesync.org/

I use it on both windows and linux to backup files to external drives
and also to sync windows folder/files to linux folder/files over home
network and vice versa.

--
mick

bilsch01 <usenet@writer.com> wrote:

> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> I use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>
> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.

I thought ddcopy was to create a bootable drive (CD/DVD, USB key).
You're using it just to copy files from one drive to another? If so, on
Windows, you could use:

SyncBack Lite (free version does not support VSC for locked files)
FreeFileSync (supports VSC)

Any zip program (e.g., Peazip, 7-zip) could archive a folder, and
compress it, too. Pick the input folder, select an output folder, and
let it run. However, it'll fail on locked files without the use of VSC
(Volume Shadow Copy) service available since Windows XP.

Windows comes with robocopy. Does not support VSC. However, you can
use commands to create a shadow copy that you could copy from. I've not
done this to know off hand the commands to vssadmin.exe. Run:

vssadmin /?

to see what directives your version will handle. I'm using Windows 10
Home edition (which lacks many admin features of Pro). /? does not show
the "create" directive (for you to run "vssadmin create shadow ...").

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc788055(v=ws.11)

If your folder has no files opened by any other process, VSC isn't
needed. VSC is for locked files to provide a shadow copy that can be
opened to read them.

If you keep rearranging drive letter assignments, like you plugged in
something now using K:, but your USB HDD was K: before, you need some
help in trying to maintain drive letter assignment. See USBDLM at:

https://www.uwe-sieber.de/english.html

Alternatively, you could run a batch script that searches the current
drives for a volume ID you put on the USB HDD that should be unique,
like USBbkup, or whatever you like but different than the volID for your
other drives. Somewhere I have a batch file that does this, but I'd
have to hunt to see how to do it again. You might try using (in one
line despite any line wrapping):

for /f "usebackq skip=1" %%p in (`wmic volume where "label like '%%Backup%%'" get Driveletter`) do echo Backup Drive is %%p

In the script before this line, you would define the Backup environment
variable to hold whatever volID you gave to the USB HDD. You would use
%p in the command line to run the backup program to store on that drive.

Other solutions might be suggested in online search hits, like:

https://www.google.com/search?q=batch+script+find+drive+by+volume+id

WMIC is deprecated, but there should be Powershell commands to do the
same interrogation.

Al mentioned using a key file on the USB HDD. Your script would look in
the root folders (don't go digging through subfolders) to identify which
currently mounted volume had that file, and use its drive letter.

On 3/29/2024 4:52 PM, Big Al wrote:
> On 3/29/24 04:05 PM, Graham J wrote:
>> bilsch01 wrote:
>>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>>
>>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>> Bill S.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Robocopy
>>
>> This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000
>> (I think).
>>
>> It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you
>> want.
>>
>> Refer to:
>>
>> <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>
>>
>> You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as
>> you like - I would suggest once per week as a minimum - and the time
>> taken is minimal after the first backup since it is only new and
>> changed files that are copied.
>>
>> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
>> (apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to
>> change the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>>
> As for the ever changing drive letter, I found with 99% reliable use, if
> you go into drive manager and change the drive letter to something like
> S:, you get the same drive letter every time.  Letting Windows decide E:
> because you have a CD D: drive, or F: because you had a 2nd USB plugged
> in that got the E: is not fun.
>
> But with that in mind, I've done this for my wife where I did not
> changed her drive letter.
>
> A batch file that will try several drive letters or exit.  You put a
> specific file in the root so you can test.  The change drive letters to
> see if it's there.   But use ./ not F:/, all relative directory changes
> since you really don't know the drive letter.
>
> Test for IamHERE.txt
> Use robocopy to mirror a folder on C: to the backup drive.
> ------------------------------------------------
> @echo off
> rem  /NP    No percentage progress displayed
> rem  /MIR   Mirror the data from source to dest
> rem  /NDL   No Directory List
> rem  /NJS   No Job Summary
> rem  /NJH   No Job Header
> rem  /DST   Compensate for one-hour DST time differences.
> rem  /XF    Exclude Files ....
> rem  /XD    Exclude Directories ....
>
> D:
> cd \
> if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY
>
> E:
> cd \
> if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY
>
> F:
> cd \
> if exist \IamHERE.txt goto OKAY
> exit
>
> :OKAY
> rem this is all one line
> robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\documents" .  /MIR /NJS /NJH /NDL /DST   /XF
> "thumbs.db" /XD "My Pictures" "My Movies" "My Videos"
>
> exit
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Note that robocopy is making the destination as .
> This implies that whatever drive I found the IamHERE.txt file is right
> and I did a "cd \" then I'm in the root directory.

If drive has a specific name can assign drive letter:(on one line)
FOR /f %%D IN ('WMIC VOLUME GET DRIVELETTER^, LABEL ^| FIND
"SpecificName"') DO SET "_HD=%%D"

On 03/29/2024 4:49 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
> On 3/29/2024 4:05 PM, Graham J wrote:
>> bilsch01 wrote:
>>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>>
>>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>> Bill S.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Robocopy
>>
>> This is built into all versions of Windows at least since Windows 2000
>> (I think).
>>
>> It is driven from a command line, so write a batch file to do what you
>> want.
>>
>> Refer to:
>>
>> <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-use-robocopy-copy-files-directories>
>>
>> You can then make a backup of new and changed files as frequently as
>> you like - I would suggest once per week as a minimum - and the time
>> taken is minimal after the first backup since it is only new and
>> changed files that are copied.
>>
>> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
>> (apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to
>> change the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>>
> or have a unique file on HDD and use batch to establish drive letter used.
Some programs like Sycnback convert drive letters to the lan location.
ie external drive T is in the lan location \\STUDIO\Documents\finacial\

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE INFO.
Bill S.

knuttle wrote:

> Graham J wrote:
>
>> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
> > Some programs like Sycnback convert drive letters to the lan location.
> ie external drive T is in the lan location \\STUDIO\Documents\finacial\

But if the drive letter changes, the share is likely to be non-existent

On 29/03/2024 21:00, mick wrote:
> On 29/03/2024 19:54:06, bilsch01 wrote:
>> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
>> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
>> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
>> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>>
>> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Bill S.
>
> FreeFileSync
> https://freefilesync.org/
>
> I use it on both windows and linux to backup files to external drives
> and also to sync windows folder/files to linux folder/files over home
> network and vice versa.
>

+1

--
Regards
wasbit

On 2024-03-30 09:23, bilsch01 wrote:
>
> THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE INFO.
> Bill S.

Please give the thanks in the same thread as where you asked for help,
do not start a new one.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

On 2024-03-29 20:54, bilsch01 wrote:
> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>
> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.

You do not need any software. Plain file browser, copy folder to new
folder on destination disk, done.

However, if you have extra requirements, please specify and people will
fine tune.

Do you need historic copies?

Do you need compression?

Do you need forward error recovery?

etc.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

On Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:05:00 +0000, Graham J wrote:
> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
> (apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to change
> the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.

Not if you assign it a drive letter. Windows will the remember and
use the same letter when you connect that drive, as long as you don't
create a conflict by assigning another drive the same letter _and_
connecting them at the same time. (I have three external drives, all
assigned the letter F, but I use them one at a time.)

To assign a drive letter:

1. Open a Run dialog and type diskmgmt.msc (or type that in a command
prompt).

2. Right-click on the disk in the list and select "Change drive
letter and paths."

3. A dialog box appears. Click Change and choose a letter in the
dropdown that appears, then OK. (Assigned letters for other currently
mounted disks will not be included in the list.)

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
Shikata ga nai...

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-03-30 09:23, bilsch01 wrote:
> >
> > THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE INFO.
> > Bill S.
>
> Please give the thanks in the same thread as where you asked for help,
> do not start a new one.

Well, he did say thanks in the same thread (see 'References:' header),
but it would indeed have been nice if he had used '(was: ...)' or some
such construct in his 'Subject:' header.

FWIW, his post got killed on my (personal) news server, because I
filter posts with all upper case 'Subject:'s! :-)

On 29/03/2024 20:54, bilsch01 wrote:
> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
>
> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
>
> Thank you.
> Bill S.
>
>

I use Genie Backup Manager Pro for many years. I'm really happy with it.
There is a home version: See https://genie-backup-manager.en.softonic.com/

It costs 60,44 euro, one time.

You can find the Pro version on
https://sourceforge.net/software/product/Genie-Backup-Manager-Pro/

It costs 59.95 dollar, also a one time payment.

I could advice you to use it. I am really happy with it for many years.

Fokke Nauta

On 2024-03-30 16:54, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2024-03-30 09:23, bilsch01 wrote:
>>>
>>> THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE INFO.
>>> Bill S.
>>
>> Please give the thanks in the same thread as where you asked for help,
>> do not start a new one.
>
> Well, he did say thanks in the same thread (see 'References:' header),
> but it would indeed have been nice if he had used '(was: ...)' or some
> such construct in his 'Subject:' header.

I don't know what happened, but Thunderbird in two machines does not
recognize the parenthood.

>
> FWIW, his post got killed on my (personal) news server, because I
> filter posts with all upper case 'Subject:'s! :-)

{chuckle-smiley}

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

Stan Brown wrote:

>Not if you assign it a drive letter. Windows will the remember and
>use the same letter when you connect that drive, as long as you don't
>create a conflict by assigning another drive the same letter _and_
>connecting them at the same time.

Things like that do happen, that's why I always have USBDLM installed:
https://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.

-jw-
--
And now for something completely different...

On 30/03/2024 15:54, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>
> FWIW, his post got killed on my (personal) news server, because I
> filter posts with all upper case 'Subject:'s! :-)

THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM. THERE IS NOTHING USERS CAN DO HERE EXCEPT TO POST
ANYTHING ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU CAN'T READ THEM AND SO NO RESPONSE FROM
YOU. THAT'S A GOOD THING IN THESE NEWSGROUP[S.

DO YOU STILL INSERT YOUR SMALL PENIS IN YOUR SON'S MOUTH? YOU ARE A PEDO
BASTARD.

wasbit <wasbit@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On 29/03/2024 21:00, mick wrote:
> > On 29/03/2024 19:54:06, bilsch01 wrote:
> >> I backup a 15 GB folder containing many files about twice per year.
> >> I  use linux ddCopy for that but now I want to use a windows program.
> >> I want to do the backup to an external HDD.
> >> I'm willing to pay for the program, but prefer free.
> >>
> >> QUESTION: Please suggest a program for this kind of backup.
> >>
> >> Thank you.
> >> Bill S.
> >
> > FreeFileSync
> > https://freefilesync.org/
> >
> > I use it on both windows and linux to backup files to external drives
> > and also to sync windows folder/files to linux folder/files over home
> > network and vice versa.
> >

> +1

+1 as well. Nice GUI & features. :)
--
"He must become greater; I must become less." --John 3:30. Ant is tiny. Dang heavy rain 2 leak, soaked clothes, etc. :( :) Easter eve!
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-03-30 16:54, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> >> On 2024-03-30 09:23, bilsch01 wrote:
> >>>
> >>> THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE INFO.
> >>> Bill S.
> >>
> >> Please give the thanks in the same thread as where you asked for help,
> >> do not start a new one.
> >
> > Well, he did say thanks in the same thread (see 'References:' header),
> > but it would indeed have been nice if he had used '(was: ...)' or some
> > such construct in his 'Subject:' header.
>
> I don't know what happened, but Thunderbird in two machines does not
> recognize the parenthood.

Perhaps Thunderbird can/is_set_to sort by subject and then thread (by
'References:')? As there is no other article with the same subject, the
article becomes an orphan, somewhere in the list of threads.

My newsreader (tin) can be configured that way, but I find that
counter-intuitive.

> > FWIW, his post got killed on my (personal) news server, because I
> > filter posts with all upper case 'Subject:'s! :-)
>
> {chuckle-smiley}

On 3/30/2024 1:02 PM, Joerg Walther wrote:
> Stan Brown wrote:
>
>> Not if you assign it a drive letter. Windows will the remember and
>> use the same letter when you connect that drive, as long as you don't
>> create a conflict by assigning another drive the same letter _and_
>> connecting them at the same time.
>
> Things like that do happen, that's why I always have USBDLM installed:
> https://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>
> -jw-
>

I have one computer, where almost all the drive letters are used up.
When I plug in the backup drive, it becomes T: because... that's
all that is left.

On this computer, I'm using three letters (C,H,S). If I needed
to fit a backup drive, and not have it smothered by USB or net maps,
I'd just pick a letter in the middle somewhere, say P: . Then I
won't need USBDLM.

I don't have a card reader, and my D: E: F: G: are not wasted
all the time by a card reader.

It really depends on how dire your letter situation is, as
to whether there is anything you can do. The "full machine" is full.
Can't add another letter there, or the backup won't work :-)
Need X: for the Rescue CD, and T: for the backup drive.
(Backups are done "cold", no playing Tetris while the backup runs.)

Paul

On Sat, 30 Mar 2024 08:51:29 -0700, Stan Brown <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm>
wrote:

>On Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:05:00 +0000, Graham J wrote:
>> Be aware that the drive letter for an external HDD may change
>> (apparently at random each time you connect it) so being able to change
>> the destination drive letter in one easy edit is well worthwhile.
>
>Not if you assign it a drive letter. Windows will the remember and
>use the same letter when you connect that drive, as long as you don't
>create a conflict by assigning another drive the same letter _and_
>connecting them at the same time. (I have three external drives, all
>assigned the letter F, but I use them one at a time.)
>
>To assign a drive letter:
>
>1. Open a Run dialog and type diskmgmt.msc (or type that in a command
>prompt).
>
>2. Right-click on the disk in the list and select "Change drive
>letter and paths."
>
>3. A dialog box appears. Click Change and choose a letter in the
>dropdown that appears, then OK. (Assigned letters for other currently
>mounted disks will not be included in the list.)

For GUI users, right-click on This Computer (on the Desktop or in File Explorer,
as two examples) and select Manage, then select Disk Management.

On Sat, 30 Mar 2024 23:35:14 -0400, Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> wrote:

>I have one computer, where almost all the drive letters are used up.
>When I plug in the backup drive, it becomes T: because... that's
>all that is left.
>
>On this computer, I'm using three letters (C,H,S).

Are the drives named Cylinders, Heads, and Sectors?

>If I needed
>to fit a backup drive, and not have it smothered by USB or net maps,
>I'd just pick a letter in the middle somewhere, say P: . Then I
>won't need USBDLM.
>
>I don't have a card reader, and my D: E: F: G: are not wasted
>all the time by a card reader.
>
>It really depends on how dire your letter situation is, as
>to whether there is anything you can do. The "full machine" is full.
>Can't add another letter there, or the backup won't work :-)
>Need X: for the Rescue CD, and T: for the backup drive.
>(Backups are done "cold", no playing Tetris while the backup runs.)

All of my drives are pooled so I just use a single letter, D:.