I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a wireless network (802.11g) Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during transfer? Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer?
An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :(
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"TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
[Quoted Text] > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer? > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer?
There is always the chance of corruption (because cosmic ray particles are constantly passing through your body and your PC): but Windows Copy and Move functions have parameters to verify integrity of a Copied or Moved file.
> An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :(
The simplest way would be to connect the two computers via their NIC jacks and just copy the files over. -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
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I recommend that you use Robocopy to do this, look for it on the Microsoft site.
John
TE wrote:
[Quoted Text] > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer? > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > > An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :(
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TE wrote:
[Quoted Text] > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer? > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > > An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :(
Xcopy has a /V (verify new files) switch. Can't vouch for it.
I'll be interested to hear more input as I do the same thing. So I copy all my digital photos and music monthly. I don't do more than right click folders and do properties on both source and destination to verify the file and byte counts. I might be about to fall into a pit, but with 120 gigs of photos and music and software over 6 years, I've been fine so far.
I've found http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx this little utility that I use a lot. Not for the laptop to desktop thing, but for making backups from desktop to external HD. I'm not about to abandon 6 years of data that easily. It might be a bit heavy of traffic to use over a network, but I'm not sure how paranoid you are.
There are other sync applications too that are around. Synctoy from MS is another.
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Big_Al wrote:
[Quoted Text] > TE wrote: > >> I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP >> laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a >> wireless network (802.11g) >> Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during >> transfer? >> Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures >> that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? >> >> An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive >> integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :( > > Xcopy has a /V (verify new files) switch. Can't vouch for it. > > I'll be interested to hear more input as I do the same thing. So I > copy all my digital photos and music monthly. I don't do more than > right click folders and do properties on both source and destination to > verify the file and byte counts. I might be about to fall into a > pit, but with 120 gigs of photos and music and software over 6 years, > I've been fine so far. > > I've found http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx this > little utility that I use a lot. Not for the laptop to desktop thing, > but for making backups from desktop to external HD. I'm not about to > abandon 6 years of data that easily. It might be a bit heavy of > traffic to use over a network, but I'm not sure how paranoid you are. > > There are other sync applications too that are around. Synctoy from MS > is another. The xcopy /v switch is ignored on NT operating systems.
John
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"John John (MVP)" <audetweld[ at ]nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:%23pZbEi1PJHA.4776[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > I recommend that you use Robocopy to do this, look for it on the > Microsoft site. > > John >
Just curious as to why Robocopy would be more reliable than just using Windows Explorer. I can't figure out why it would make a difference???
> TE wrote: > > > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > > wireless network (802.11g) > > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > > transfer? > > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > > > > An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :( >
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philo wrote:
[Quoted Text] > "John John (MVP)" <audetweld[ at ]nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:%23pZbEi1PJHA.4776[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > >>I recommend that you use Robocopy to do this, look for it on the >>Microsoft site. >> >>John >> > > Just curious as to why Robocopy would be more reliable than > just using Windows Explorer. > I can't figure out why it would make a difference???
It is the tool of choice for copying large files or a large number of files across a network, it is just designed to handle this better than xcopy ot the Windows GUI, see here for some of the differences with the other tools: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy
John
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"John John (MVP)" <audetweld[ at ]nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:uE0p6N7PJHA.1168[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > philo wrote: > > "John John (MVP)" <audetweld[ at ]nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message > > news:%23pZbEi1PJHA.4776[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > > > >>I recommend that you use Robocopy to do this, look for it on the > >>Microsoft site. > >> > >>John > >> > > > > Just curious as to why Robocopy would be more reliable than > > just using Windows Explorer. > > I can't figure out why it would make a difference??? > > It is the tool of choice for copying large files or a large number of > files across a network, it is just designed to handle this better than > xcopy ot the Windows GUI, see here for some of the differences with the > other tools: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy> > John
Thank you!
I guess I am a bit behind the times here.
The newest addition to my machine is the Windows 2000 support tools !
Guess I'll head over to the MS site and see for myself.
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On Wed, 5 Nov 2008 10:08:45 -0500, "Don Phillipson" <e925[ at ]SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca> wrote:
[Quoted Text] >"TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message >news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com... > >> I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP >> laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a >> wireless network (802.11g) >> Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during >> transfer? >> Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures >> that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > >There is always the chance of corruption (because cosmic ray >particles are constantly passing through your body and your PC): >but Windows Copy and Move functions have parameters to >verify integrity of a Copied or Moved file. > >> An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive >> integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :( > >The simplest way would be to connect the two computers >via their NIC jacks and just copy the files over.
That's the way I copy. And even then, files get lost or corrupted. Don't expect wiresless to be more reliable !
I run MD5 checks and do directory compares between source and destination. - Files get lost during a copy operation. Sometimes for a traceable reason, sometimes without visible reason.
- Files get corrupted during a copy operation. Mostly because of a hickup during the copy action. (E.g. pull an external drive's USB plug.) Or maybe due to your cosmic rays :-)
My rule of thumb: the file is only there if you have verified that it is :-) (And it is only then verified if the crc32 or MD5 matches!)
By the way: did the OP calculate how long his 20 GB wireless transfer is going to take ?
-- Kind regards, Gerard Bok
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"TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com... I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a wireless network (802.11g) Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during transfer? Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer?
An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :(
========================================== Karens Replicator v3.6.4 Automatically backup files, directories, even entire drives! Karen's Replicator copies selected files from one drive/folder to another. Source and Destination folders can reside anywhere on your network.
Options include repeated copies at intervals as short as a few minutes, or as long as several months, copy only files that have changed, and the replication of folder and file deletions.
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp
-- Regards, Touch Base Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit
"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know how to use my telephone." (Bjarne Stroustrup)
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I copy about 5 gB from my wife's office on a daily basis - and each time (about 20 times altogether) that we restore the data it's worked properly.
- John
"Touch Base" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > > "TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com... > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer? > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > > An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :( > > ========================================== > Karens Replicator v3.6.4 > Automatically backup files, directories, even entire drives! Karen's > Replicator copies selected files from one drive/folder to another. Source > and Destination folders can reside anywhere on your network. > > Options include repeated copies at intervals as short as a few minutes, or > as long as several months, copy only files that have changed, and the > replication of folder and file deletions. > > http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp> > > -- > Regards, > Touch Base > Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit > > "There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy > to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know > how to use my telephone." > (Bjarne Stroustrup) > > >
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On Nov 6, 4:06 am, bok...[ at ]zonnet.nl (Gerard Bok) wrote:
[Quoted Text] > By the way: did the OP calculate how long his 20 GB wireless > transfer is going to take ?
For 24GB of files, I think Windows Explorer initially reported about 186 minutes. But Explorer is known to be highly inaccurate about these times and the speed does fluctuate based on ???
I also notice that when I turn on the microwave oven, streaming video over 802.11g from my desktop to my laptop is affected. Could a file transfer be affected too?
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Le Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:06:38 +0100, Touch Base <nospam[ at ]_nospam.com> a écrit:
[Quoted Text] > > "TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com... > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer? > Is there anything in Windows Explorer (a protocol maybe?) that ensures > that the files do not get corrupted during the transfer? > > An alternative would be for me to use .zip files and check the archive > integrity of the .zip files on the desktop after the transfer :( > > ========================================== > Karens Replicator v3.6.4 > Automatically backup files, directories, even entire drives! Karen's > Replicator copies selected files from one drive/folder to another. Source > and Destination folders can reside anywhere on your network. > > Options include repeated copies at intervals as short as a few minutes, > or > as long as several months, copy only files that have changed, and the > replication of folder and file deletions. > > http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp> > Same idea: Cobian backup , syncback
-- TT
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"Touch Base" <nospam[ at ]_nospam.com> wrote in message news:eYI90vFQJHA.1144[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > "TE" <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ea9a4dcc-3035-43c5-afab-e6ba1f7ced12[ at ]e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com... > I plan to copy about 20 1GB files (occasionally) from a Windows XP > laptop to a Windows XP desktop using Windows Explorer across a > wireless network (802.11g) > Is there a possibility that the files could get corrupted during > transfer?
Possibility? Sure. There is always a possibility that something can go wrong. But the likelihood of such a problem is extremely low.
If I were in your shoes (which I've been in many times) I would just do it and I wouldn't worry about it at all.
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On Thu, 6 Nov 2008 22:20:55 -0800 (PST), TE <taxenqs[ at ]yahoo.com> wrote:
[Quoted Text] >On Nov 6, 4:06=A0am, bok...[ at ]zonnet.nl (Gerard Bok) wrote: >> By the way: did the OP calculate how long his 20 GB wireless >> transfer is going to take ? > >For 24GB of files, I think Windows Explorer initially reported about >186 minutes. >But Explorer is known to be highly inaccurate about these times and >the speed does fluctuate based on ??? > >I also notice that when I turn on the microwave oven, streaming video >over 802.11g from my desktop to my laptop is affected. >Could a file transfer be affected too?
802.11 communication speeds depend on the environment. A microwave may affect speed. As may your neighbour's use of their wireless network or their baby-watch cam. Even a person, walking between the AP and your laptop may influence speed :-)
So from a (far) distance, there is no way of predicting either the speed or the reliablility of your transfer.
There is also an issue of filesize. If the 24 GB is in one solid file, any transmission problem will require that entire file to be retransmitted :-)
-- Kind regards, Gerard Bok
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Gerard Bok wrote:
[Quoted Text] > There is also an issue of filesize. If the 24 GB is in one solid > file, any transmission problem will require that entire file to > be retransmitted :-)
Which is one of the reasons why Robocopy is the utility of choice for copying large files accross a network, it can pickup where it left off when the outage occured, it doesn't need to start all over just because the last 10 bytes of a 24GB file are missing!
John
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