copying between external hard drives

[suethomo]

I use Expression Media and have all my photos in folders (buckets) on an external HD connected with FW800.  My catalog points to this HD.   I then backup to another external HD that is also connected to the computer with a USB.  I simply drag the new files from their "buckets" from HD 1 to HD 2.  This normally works but today the connection somehow failed twice and I lost some of the photos that were being transferred.  Has anyone noticed a problem doing this with FW and USB on the respective drives.   Also this seemed to me a simple and effective way to duplicate as I am only adding to HD 1 - never subtracting stuff - so then I just add the new stuff to HD 2.   How do others do this?  I use a Macbook Pro with OS 10.6.1.  Any thoughts/suggestions welcomed.

Sue

[peterkrogh]

Sue,
You need to do a validated transfer.  Use a program like Chronosync on Mac, or SuperDuper on PC to manage the process.

A failed copy should be considered a clue to a possible failing drive or other error with the files.
Peter

[Mike DiVita]

Peter,

I took a look at the SuperDuper site and it says it's for Mac. The site says "built by Mac users, for Mac users". Any other suggestions for pc's? The new version of Acronis True Image appears to be very buggy based on most reviews so far.
Mike

[Dick Holtman]

Hi,

I use SyncBack. There is a freeware edition.
Be sure to check the "Verify" option on one of the tabs.

[danaltick]

Syncback works great for me.  I love it!

Dan

[peterkrogh]

Same here - using Syncback.
Peter

[JoeThePhotographer]

For what it's worth, it seems that the free vesion of Syncback does not "support" the 64bit versions of Vista and Windows 7.

Joe

[Arlen]

Joe, Syncback freeware V3.2.19.0 is working for me under Windows 7, 64-bit.

Arlen

[Bill Lewis]

Joe,

I've encountered no problems with the Syncback freeware on Vista 64-bit

Bill

[JoeThePhotographer]

Thanks Bill and Arlen.  I guess there is a difference between "does not run on" and "does not support".

Joe