CardBackup review

[kennyd]

I recently realized that BBVFS was not giving me a stable backup of my Clie. I have two apps on my Clie that are known mischief makers on a card backup


PiDirect
Stowaway Keyboard Driver (I know that the Keyboard options file cuases probs with PiBackupII)


I did a search on the forums here and tried a few apps at the suggestion of others success stories.  The Backup apps I tried out yesterday are:


Adv.Backup
BackupMan
BotzmanBackup
CardBackup
PiBackupII
BackupBuddyVFS


With all of the above apps I tried both backups and restores from a HardReset.  CardBackup (http://palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=62269020021230190416&prodID=14328) achieved the best results.  I tried these three configurations with CardBackup and posted the results.



"Mount path" in CardBackup set, PiDirect setting for CardBackup not set, PiDirect enabled

  Error="MemoryMgr.c,Line:4475,invalid chunkptr"
Unsuccessfull Backup

"Mount path" in CardBackup set, PiDirect setting for CardBackup set to "Pause Resume", PiDirect enabled

Successfull backup! (no errors)
Successfull Restore! (with 1 error related to DA Launcher, but DA Launcher ran without issues after restore)

"Mount path" in CardBackup not set, PiDirect dissabled..

Successfull Backup! (no errors)
Successfull Restore! (with 1 error related to DA Launcher, but DaLauncher ran without issues after restore) 




CardBackup has some nice features like...


Multiple backup directories
Scheduled backups
partial restores


NOTE:  I was supprised to find that CardBackup didn't have an "Exception list" like PiBackupII, or file selection like BBVFS.  These features enable the user to ignore troublesome apps during the backup to help assure a more successfull restore.  Despite this feature not being a part of CardBackups interface, CardBackup doesn't need it. 

My Clie has a very heavy handed set up.  I have a lot of system enhancements ie hacks, DA's, LauncherX, PiDirect, SwitchDash, Keyboard driver, and more.  I have 315 files in ram to restore.  I beta tested PiBackupII for a while when I had my Visor Neo.  At the time PiTech seemed to be the developers that were taking backup features to a higher level of configurability.  Without a doubt getting a restore from a card with a device that is heavily loaded is one of the most wanted and challenging needs for a handheld.  I was suprised that CardBackup could successfully restore my keyboard driver.  Neither BBVFS nor PiBackupII could do that.  I have even tried to move those files back and forth between card and ram without success.  In short I'm relieved to find a Backup utility that could successfully restore my system.

[Shrink]

Thanks for a thoughtful post. It does help.
alan

[wnm]

How does card backup handle LX shortcuts. PiBackup II doesn't recognize the << charecter, so I have to rename the short cut with a _ (underscore). I like PiB II, and have been using it since it was finalized in the MemPlug. It's not perfect and does act up from time to time, so your review is helpful.

[kennyd]

Originally posted by wnm
How does card backup handle LX shortcuts. PiBackup II doesn't recognize the &lt;&lt; charecter, so I have to rename the short cut with a _ (underscore).

I also rename the shortcuts in LX.&nbsp; Good question though.&nbsp; I'm not sure if PiTech ever released a version beyond beta that actually renamed the shortcuts via the backup process.&nbsp; I had used it when it was in beta and it worked, but I don't know if it was stable enough for public release.

[Tixx]

I'll give this one a try as I am searching for a backup program for my NX:)
Thanks

[Tixx]

Just saw a SmartBackup program out there too.

[rldunn]

Tixx, I just got a beta of CardBackup that's OS5 compliant; the release version is expected out in a few weeks, so I would wait for that version.

[Tixx]

Originally posted by rldunn
Tixx, I just got a beta of CardBackup that's OS5 compliant; the release version is expected out in a few weeks, so I would wait for that version.

Hey rldunn:)

I thought CardBackup already is OS5 ready, or at least palmgear says it is. http://palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=62269020021230190416&prodID=14328

I'll wait for word on the release. Did you look at Backup Man too? It seems to have more function and such currently.

[DanT]

I use BBVFS. My solution is to put PiDirect in FlashROM.

[sebring]

Originally posted by Tixx


Hey rldunn:)

I thought CardBackup already is OS5 ready, or at least palmgear says it is. http://palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=62269020021230190416&prodID=14328

I'll wait for word on the release. Did you look at Backup Man too? It seems to have more function and such currently.

Tixx,

I am a long time and happy user of cardbackup. When OS5 devices came out, I received an email from them that they had tested the app with OS5 devices and it functioned satisfactorily, but with minor issues. I also received a beta of v2. The following are a list of new features.

New Features 2.0:
-----------------
- PalmOS 5.0 compatible.
- Backup only what's changed. CardBackup now only backs up what
changed between the last
backup. In fact the entire backup engine was rewritten.
- Safer scheduled backups. A lot of changes to make scheduled backups
work more reliably.
- Scheduled backups now check to make sure the battery level is ok
before continuing
- Completely rewritten Partial Restore page. *Much* faster load time
and the ability
to restore multiple databases at once.
- Added a beep at the end of a full restore.

[Tixx]

Originally posted by sebring


Tixx,

I am a long time and happy user of cardbackup. When OS5 devices came out, I received an email from them that they had tested the app with OS5 devices and it functioned satisfactorily, but with minor issues. I also received a beta of v2. The following are a list of new features.

New Features 2.0:
-----------------
- PalmOS 5.0 compatible.
- Backup only what's changed. CardBackup now only backs up what
changed between the last
backup. In fact the entire backup engine was rewritten.
- Safer scheduled backups. A lot of changes to make scheduled backups
work more reliably.
- Scheduled backups now check to make sure the battery level is ok
before continuing
- Completely rewritten Partial Restore page. *Much* faster load time
and the ability
to restore multiple databases at once.
- Added a beep at the end of a full restore.

Lots of new stuff. I'm still waiting a little while longer to purchase. Thanks for the additional info Sebring:)