compare or sync software?

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The Maillard Reaction
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2012/10/23 19:48:58 (permalink)

compare or sync software?

I'm looking for any easy to use, no strings attached file sync or folder comparison utility.

I just rescued a hard drive and want to integrate the data on it onto the replacement drive which was loaded with data a near complete backup.

The freshly rescued drive has some additional data but the replacement drive also has some new data.

I can handle the small amount manually but I it would be nice to have a small app to help compare when I think I'm done.


I've tried a few freebies that work well but they all came with addware or nagware or something less than ideal.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a XP/win7 app that is streamlined and dedicated to comparisons and doesn't have ANY nagware?


Thanks in advance for any suggestions.


best regards,
mike


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    dwcaldwell
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 00:52:11 (permalink)
    Mike,

    Not freeware, but I've used Beyond Compare 2 by Scooter Software for years. It's become one of my desert-island programs. I could survive without it, but I would be miserable and crotchety most of the time. I haven't tried the newer version 3 but I would expect it to be excellent as well.

    Here's a link: http://www.scootersoftware.com/

    Regards,
    Don
    #2
    scook
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 01:05:28 (permalink)
    Try one of the many ports of UNIX diff. I use MinGW for stuff like this but there are several others.
    post edited by scook - 2012/10/24 01:06:37
    #3
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 07:36:50 (permalink)
    Thanks to both of you.

    I can see that miniGW is a bit to under the hood for me... I need a easy to use Windows GUI. :-)

    Scootersoftware looks like what I am interested in. I also looked at UltraCompare last night.

    They both cost $50 and the guis seem made for a guy like me.

    I sort of focused on finishing my back up so I don't feel that I have time to test drive... so I'm still hoping to learn of people with experience having definitive opinions.

    Scootersoftware is on the short list.


    Any others?


    Thanks again.


    best regards,
    mike


    #4
    fwrend
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 09:22:02 (permalink)
    I've used Secondcopy(.com) for years - easy cheesy.

    Edit: not sure about compare function
    post edited by fwrend - 2012/10/24 09:23:16
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    rivers88
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 09:28:19 (permalink)
    Microsoft SyncToy -

    Officially "unsupported", but it works great, very flexible - and free!!

    Been using it for several years -
    I use it to compare & backup several combinations of file folders on several PC's between each other, across a network, and to external USB drives.
    Use it very effectively on XP, Windows 7 32-bit, and Windows 7 64-bit.
     
    Search for it on the Microsoft web site...
     
    EDIT
     
    This might help:
    http://www.pchell.com/support/synctoy.shtml
     
    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15155
     
    Randy
    post edited by rivers88 - 2012/10/24 09:42:23
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 10:20:50 (permalink)



    I just downloaded and tried MS synctoy... It seemed like a great idea but it doesn't have an effective compare GUI... you just tell it synchronize and it does the whole thing for you. 

    I want a GUI that lets me consider what's different on each drive in a quick and visual way.

    Thanks a bunch for the suggestion.


    best regards,
    mike





    #7
    kurrykid
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 10:34:17 (permalink)
    I also use Secondcopy...it's worked great for me for many years.

    Dave
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    #8
    rivers88
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 10:42:10 (permalink)
    mike_mccue


    I just downloaded and tried MS synctoy... It seemed like a great idea but it doesn't have an effective compare GUI... you just tell it synchronize and it does the whole thing for you. 

    I want a GUI that lets me consider what's different on each drive in a quick and visual way.

    Thanks a bunch for the suggestion.


    best regards,
    mike
    Click the "Preview" button for your selected backup -
     
    It does a time & date comparison for every file in the backup BEFORE you run the backup, and lets you deselect on the fly, if needed.
     
    post edited by rivers88 - 2012/10/24 10:45:04
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 10:43:12 (permalink)
    How'd I miss that???

    Thanks.

    best regards,
    mike


    #10
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 11:35:01 (permalink)
    Duplicate cleaner is a freebie and very good. Don't be put off by the term cleaner, while its main function is deletion it will also move duplicates to a folder of your choice. There are also loads of file selection methods and filter available.

    Karl
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    #11
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:compare or sync software? 2012/10/24 12:30:32 (permalink)

    Thanks.

    I've ended up using a trial of UltraCompare.
    It seems full featured and works like I'd expect with the caveat that it seemed to take for ever to scan the 100s of GBs of data I am trying to build a 3 way mirror of.

    I finally got a single all inclusive data set together and I can move forward.

    I'm hoping to learn how to optimize Ultracompare for my use... it seems focused on reading text files to maintain synchronicity in code. The folders scan seems like a secondary function. I think there's some stuff I can turn off.

    I'd still like to find something that was more streamlined but isn't missing the side by side gui features that appeals to my personal workflow ideas etc.


    best regards,
    mike 


    #12
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