Pros
Most folders are copied correctly but not based on size but date only.
Cons
some drives will not copy due to some "network interference" which is usually drives with "odd named" empty folders or other blocked folders. Large numbers of folders disappear and have to be reentered to be backed up
Summary
Not reliable to copy as is but must keep tract of what is and is not copied.
Updated on Sep 18, 2014
zero stars sent this to second copy and ripoff report:
PLEASE EXPLAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Using windows 8.1
program files/google/crashreports is an empty folder that has no restrictions. This was an unexpected network error. I deleted it and it came back again same problem. I was working on this same drive and a few minutes earlier with no problems. It also removed all entries and left nothing to backup. I put the following back in:
TaxACT\*.*
TaxACT 2013 Documents\*.*
taxes\*.*
taxes 06\*.*
TAXES 2012\*.*
Users\JimandKaren\*.*
Vanguard\*.*
WPActivation\*.*
profiles.dat show in BOLD
[S(c)-F4]
SetupType=Custom
SourceLocation=s:\
DestLocation=F:\Medion Laptop BKUP
AllFiles=0
Include1=TaxACT\*.*
Include2=TaxACT 2013 Documents\*.*
Include3=taxes\*.*
Include4=taxes 06\*.*
Include5=TAXES 2012\*.*
Include6=Users\JimandKaren\*.*
Include7=Vanguard\*.*
Include8=WPActivation\*.*
Updated on Sep 18, 2014
Second Copy 8.1.2 was give 0 stars at CNet by me. Backup files are being erased without my knowledge. I am getting many network errors without explanation. Second Copy has not updated since the problem about over 1 year. They are getting rave reviews without good reason. They have stopped communicating.
Jim jhmac77@bellsouth.net
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Pros
I have used it for over 10 years. Great for what it does.
Cons
None that I have.
Summary
Lost SC8 profiles when computer crashed. Lost all profiles. Setup new profiles. Profile "A" copies files to Drop box. Profile "B" copies files to Network drive. Shuts down computer. How simple is that. I start the Program and walk away. Always does what it is supposed to do. Love It. I also have Acronis, I use it to make an image and sends it to the Network Drive. Both are Great.
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Pros
-Simple, yet very functional interface
-Reliable
-Set it and forget it
Cons
-none that I know of
Summary
I have been using Second Copy for over 10 years and never had any problems with it other than log entries showing excess characters once in a great while. That problem was fixed by clearing the log & starting fresh. It has been very reliable for backing up my documents, saving older versions in a separate folder in case I need to revisit that version. Other profiles back up Quicken and TurboTax files along with many other important documents. Backups to cloud drives & external drives insure data preservation in case of fire, theft of PC, or just needing some information while on the road with some other laptop, etc.
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-101
-101
Pros
Easy to set up with customization.
Easy to use.
Easy to automate.
Stable.
Works across multiple drives, including external drives and network
Cons
None of importance.
Summary
I have used this program for years through many updates. It has been my favorite program for all of my backups.
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Pros
None - if it were a dog I'd shoot it
Cons
Wiped the source drive of data then replicated the deletion on the back up drive.
Summary
Waste of money and effort. Don't use on anything mission critical, lost more data using this than if somebody had stolen my hard drive. Shocking!
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Pros
Surprisingly flexable backups
Cons
Tends to choke on hundreds of thousands of files. If you have that many, it will need lots of memory and and time
Summary
Terrific end user backup made simple
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Pros
Used to be a very good reliable product which I've used since 2003.
Easy to use.
Cons
Version 8 is prone to deleting ALL files in the Source folder and then wiping out Destination during Sync operation. Killer for a sync application. Do not use.
Summary
At some point I noticed SecondCopy 8 taking unusually long time to sync my two computers. Turns out it was wiping out my Documents folder on the Destination computer. On the subsequent sync it would've wiped out the Source. I contacted the company. Remarkably they knew that this could happen starting with a Destination folder if you mount it a mapped drive (the usual way). But my case turned out to be different. For some reason SC8 thinks my Source folder is empty, even though it's not and proceeds to make the Destination empty. Support at Second Copy said "That is very strange. Please send us the "profiles.dat" and "log.rtf" files for analysis." I did. Have not heard back from them for more than a week. Pinged them a few days ago. Nothing. I think they are having a major problem. Stay away from Second Copy until they solve this.
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Reply by on September 10, 2012
The problem was due to a bug in Windows networking software. When Second Copy (SC) runs a profile set to synchronize files, first it tries to make a connection to destination computer. If connection fails, it logs an error message & quits the profile. If the connection succeeds then it lists the files in the source and destination folder to compare and decide which files should be copied. In above situation, Windows reported to SC that connection is successful but there are no files in the destination folder. This tells SC that the files existed the previous time when they were synched but user has since deleted files from destination. If "Synchronize file deletion also" is selected SC deletes obsolete files. Windows networking connection that erroneously reports that there are no files in destination folder instead of reporting that destination cannot be reached. To avoid this in future uncheck "Synchronize file deletion also" option. Or use the UNC path to define source/destination.
Reply by stianhaugli on August 31, 2012
I've contacted the guys at Centered Systems a few times. They've always replied promptly and have always given good advice. So I find it very strange you haven't heard back from them.
Reg your problem with sync: ... You got to backup both folders before running a sync, especially the first time. Second copy also has a non destructive 'preview' function where you can see which files will be copied and which will be deleted - before it does, with the option to cancel. You should've used it, and by the fact you didn't and ended up losing data, I'd say you got a lot to learn about sync. People write Phd's about sync/two way replication - you can't expect to be able to use it if you do not fully understand whats going on. I myself stay well away from any SYNC options on phones, pcs etc.
We've used SC for maybe 15 years now, (now on 8.0.3), and never had any problems. Even though I've tested SC rigorously at every upgrade I could never make it misbehave like you've described.
Reply by royalsteve68 on May 11, 2012
WHAT ABSOLUTE RUBBISH - BEEN USING THIS FOR YEARS AND HAD NO PROBLEMS - THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN HAPPEN IS BY USER ERROR AND FOR YOU TO SLAG OFF THE PRODUCT DUE TO YOUR INCOMPETENCE SHOWS HOW STUPID YOU ARE. OH, AND NO I DONT WORK FOR THE COMPANY. WHAT NEXT YOULL BLAME THE CAR MANUFACTURER BECAUSE YOU CRASHED YOUR CAR DESPITE THE FACT THAT MECHANICAL FAILURE WASNT TO BLAME!!
Pros
Multiple Profiles
Somewhat Easy to Use
Easy scheduling of backup
Cons
I can't think of anything.
Summary
I have been using this software for over 20 years. I have tried many different backup programs, but have always depended on Second Copy. Unlike some software companies that use the users to test their software, Second Copy is always well tested. Plus I wish to add that their support is great. Best overall backup software and fairly easy to use. Set it and forget it. When you need it, your backup will be there.
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Pros
Easy to install, intuitive interface for creating/monitoring profiles
Cons
V8.0.5.3 buggy on my W2K8 server - despite the best efforts of SecondCopy support, cannot keep GUI alive for more than a day at a time. Weak open file support, and FTP component doesn't detect changed files (all files, select files, or nothing).
Summary
Will probably roll back to previous version or look elsewhere - average product for the money.
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012
012
Pros
Fast, customized scheduling, content, target locations, etc.
Cons
none encountered of significance to me
Summary
I've used second copy for several years, through several updates, and have found it to be the best I've used for backups. It allows me to customize my backups, creating different profiles for different files, directories, to different target computers or drives, etc. It archives several backups according to my preferences for # and location. It provides a wonderful sense of security regarding important files and materials which represent a huge number of hours of work over time.
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