2BrightSparks

bronnierobbins · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

Hello,

I am sitting here crying my eyes out, honestly. I have lost everything - it seems, on my hard drive - I downloaded the freeware sync back up and ran something that gave me a list to move the contents from the right to the left, I clicked the move to the right - thinking that would back it up to the hard drive, instead I have a set of folders with NOTHING in them.

These files have my uni assignment which is due in two days and all my work for the past 6 years. ALl my photos, everything, PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP ME to get them back ?

THank you,
Bronwyn

mickyj · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:44 am Post subject:

Hi, I honestly have no idea how you could possibly have done that with SyncBack. It does not move files, and it's simply not possible to create a profile that deletes all files. The only way would be to specifically tell it to do that in the Differences screen.

The first and most important thing is not to delete, modify, or create any files on that drive. If it's your main system drive then do not reboot or switch off - instead go find another computer with an internet connection. Check your email as we've sent you an email with instructions on recovering your files. Note that we sent you more than one email - please read them all.
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bronnierobbins · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

Hi there, thanks for your reply, however, I did test it again and it deleted my test files and files it "scanned" in the simulation.

I purchased the undelete software - support sent me info. I managed to recover 2 gigs of the 25. Half of it is corrupt however but the consolation prize is I got some of it back.

I tried again to work through the syncback software and realised what happened, I did a simulated run and then clicked move files to the right or something like that, I assumed it would copy them there, but it just deleted them, there was nothing that said I was 'deleting' anything.

I don't want to sound rude or say anything I will regret, so I will refrain from commenting about the software, I'm sure if I read the tutorials I would have known not to do that, but to say the least, it is very confusing.

mickyj · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject:

Hi, a simulated run is a simulation, i.e. it does not do anything. It merely gives a report on what would happen if you really ran it. This gives you a chance to test your settings without changing your files. Also, there is no move feature in SyncBack. I'm even more confused now about how you could have done this

If you could provide a step-by-step on how to replicate this then it would help a lot.
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Terrilyn · Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

It has done the same thing to me. I am so ticked off right now - grrrr - I know which window the op is talking about as I did the same thing. I opened the program to run the first backup and the window popped up asking if I wanted to mirror to the right. I copied to the right and now everything I tried to "mirror" is GONE from the left.

This is bullcrap! There is no warning that everything on the left will be GONE when you click to mirror on the right.

Now I'm frantically searching to try and fix this - ridiculous!! How can something that is supposed to help you PROTECT your files instead cause you to REMOVE them?! Mad

You seriously need to add some warnings to this software because from what I've been reading we aren't the only ones to have this happen!!

mickyj · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:29 am Post subject:

Hi, sorry to hear you lost files, but the program only did exactly what you told it to do. First, SyncBack freeware does not have a mirror button, so I assume you are talking about SyncBackSE.

When you ran your profile a Differences screen appeared which clearly showed you which files it was going to copy or delete. No files had been copied or delete at this point. It did not prompt you or ask you if you wanted to mirror the files - there is a button (and not the default button) on the Differences window to mirror files. You pressed that button and it then changed what it was going to do. The files that were now going to be copied or deleted where still very clearly listed on that screen. Still no files had been copied or deleted. You then pressed the OK button (you could have aborted) and it copied/deleted files exactly how you told it to and exactly how it told you.

Sorry, but the program did not delete any files by itself. It did exactly what you told it to do (which was not the default thing to do), and it clearly told you what is was going to do (based on what you told it to do) before it did it.

FYI: the original poster had configured his profile specifically to delete files. He told the program to delete his files. How do I know? He sent us a screenshot and the profile. Are we also to blame for that?
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Terrilyn · Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Ah, just remember people - buyer beware - you get what you pay for.

It's taken all day but I've got my files back now. I'm using Genie for my backups and having no issues whatsoever.

Your program is clear to you because you designed it and have spent a long time working with it. From browsing your forums it is quite clear that this program is not clear to many people.

Regards,
Terrilyn

Pepperpod · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 5

I'm reminded of this quote:

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. -Rich Cook

Rob · Advanced Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 40

michael.kenward · Knowledgeable Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

This raises an issue that I have had on my mind for some time.

I keep a close eye on the SyncBack forums. I have used the SE version for quite some time.

I am not a computer illiterate. On a scale of 1 to 10 (crap to expert), I'd say I site around 7/8. I spend too much of my time trying to help people out of their (often) self-inflicted computer woes. But SyncBack baffles me.

It is way too complicated. It is great for a system admin person. But for someone who just wants to set up a sequence of easily managed backups it lacks user friendliness.

I would not want it to dumb down. I always advocate making software that users can configure to their heart's content. It could, though, use some "Wizards" and set routines for the average punter.

Sure, there are help files, manuals and all manner of stuff. But how many people have the time to RTFM?
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MK
SynchBackSE V4.4.14.0 | FindOnClick V1.4.1.4
Windows Vista Business | Outlook 2003 | AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5400+ | 4.0 GB Memory | NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT

mickyj · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: