I've been informally testing the reliability of three backup programs: Sprite, SK Tools, and Spb. All three programs appear to backing up my 51v without problems. However, on restore, I find that I have a different story. I've done the most extensive trial restoring backups with Sprite because I have been having problems with it. I spent days communicating with Sprite support without a successful solution.
Sprite was the most unreliable. It refused to restore two vb based programs as well as the MS vb runtime routines. I had to reinstall those programs each time. In addition, immediately after restoring from the .exe backup, my device would continually ask for an 'ok' of unsigned programs (almost all of my programs). As you might guess, this is very annoying. On several occasions, I encountered some unexpected problems with Activesync that was eventually solved with reinstalling AS.
SK Tools was fairly reliable. It restored the vb programs without problems. However, I did run into the unsigned program prompt several times after restore.
Spb worked the first time. It restored the backup. Howevever, I have run into the unsign program prompt with several programs.
Before testing my backups for reliability by restoring them, I would have commented that all three programs worked fine. In fact, I preferred Sprite to the rest because of the user interface and speed as well as the PC features. Spb would be second. It is slower and lacks the PC features. SK Tools is a more vanilla program.
My advice to users of these programs is to test the program with several restores of your backups. You don't want to find out the weaknesses or limitations of the program when it is too late.
I am using backup program which comes with my Axim x51v (in rom). It works very well. I did restore few times and everything seems appears nicely. So i trust this program.
It is interesting that before migrating to the WM5 version of Sprite, I always had reliable restores with the iPaq (ppc2003) version of Sprite. Now with WM5 I can't trust Sprite on my 51v. It is ashame since I do like it the best of the three WM5 backup programs.
It is interesting that before migrating to the WM5 version of Sprite, I always had reliable restores with the iPaq (ppc2003) version of Sprite. Now with WM5 I can't trust Sprite on my 51v. It is ashame since I do like it the best of the three WM5 backup programs.
The iPaq version of Sprite was a subset of functionality of the WM2003 commercial version of Sprite and the new WM5 version of Sprite has less functionality than the WM2003SE version.
While I continue to use Sprite on my WM2003SE device, since I already have both Spb Backup and SKTools and WM5 has persistent storage, I would be hard pressed to shell out additional cash for an upgrade to the WM5 version of Sprite that provides less functionality and still has no trial period if I were to get a WM5 device. Rather makes me wonder about the commitment at Sprite.
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In addition, immediately after restoring from the .exe backup, my device would continually ask for an 'ok' of unsigned programs (almost all of my programs). As you might guess, this is very annoying.
Just a guess, but wouldn't that have something to do with the 'setsecurity' patch that turns the security prompt on and off? I agree, annoying. However no big deal to just run the patch and turn the security prompt back off....
Just a guess, but wouldn't that have something to do with the 'setsecurity' patch that turns the security prompt on and off? I agree, annoying. However no big deal to just run the patch and turn the security prompt back off....
I agree about the setsecurity. However, the issue I have with Sprite is that I expect restoration of a working image of the exact state of my device just before the backup. I don't expect to have to reinstall programs that have been working and then revalidate programs that were already validated. For me, somewhere along the process, Sprite produces an unreliable backup and restore product.
I'm using Sprite v5.1 on my WM5 Hx2755 and I'm not happy about it.
Recently I needed to perform a restore of my Hx2755. I copied the self executing restore file to a 32M CF card and performed a hard reset then started the restore. At completion, the restore stated the following "Restore Completed with Warnings", the device reset itself and hung at the end of the boot splash screen. I tried a soft reset and a clean reset to get it to boot, that didn't work. Another hard reset is the only thing that will get me past the boot screen. Unfortunately since the device will not boot I cannot get to the Sprite logfile to see what the warnings are. To rule out a corrupt backup file I tried this same restore process with 4 different restore files - all with the same result.
I have emailed Sprite and they told me that I could view the restore executable with Sprite Explorer but it seems that all this will allow me to do is view and extract the backedup data, not verify a good restore file.
I'm still in the process os troubleshooting this issue w/ Sprite
I'm using Sprite v5.1 on my WM5 Hx2755 and I'm not happy about it.
Recently I needed to perform a restore of my Hx2755. I copied the self executing restore file to a 32M CF card and performed a hard reset then started the restore. At completion, the restore stated the following "Restore Completed with Warnings", the device reset itself and hung at the end of the boot splash screen. I tried a soft reset and a clean reset to get it to boot, that didn't work. Another hard reset is the only thing that will get me past the boot screen. Unfortunately since the device will not boot I cannot get to the Sprite logfile to see what the warnings are. To rule out a corrupt backup file I tried this same restore process with 4 different restore files - all with the same result.
I have emailed Sprite and they told me that I could view the restore executable with Sprite Explorer but it seems that all this will allow me to do is view and extract the backedup data, not verify a good restore file.
I'm still in the process os troubleshooting this issue w/ Sprite
I truly appreciate your situation. I have been working with Sprite support for more than 8 days. Support has been quite professional. However, given the time difference Dallas to New Zealand, any timely response is typically delayed. I've tried all the suggestions, but nothing so far has worked. I decided last night after the last suggestion to stop trying. I was spending too much time on a product that should have worked the first time. I thought I had a unique problem. But, when I tried restoring with Spb or SK Tools and I was able to restore my device then I decided that something with Sprite was the culprit. For me, Sprite for WM5 is not ready for primetime at this stage.
I am using backup program which comes with my Axim x51v (in rom). It works very well. I did restore few times and everything seems appears nicely. So i trust this program.
Same here. Only had an issue once with claunch (re-install fixed it). Backup/restore worked fine afterwards. I also trust the x51v built-in backup program.
Support has been quite professional. However, given the time difference Dallas to New Zealand, any timely response is typically delayed. & For me, Sprite for WM5 is not ready for primetime at this stage.
I have never had a problem when using spb backup with it's default settings. However when compression is deactivated the restoration is corrupt. Only compressed backup .exe work correctly.
The default backup program doesn't use compression and also fails to restore correctly.
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HP IPAQ 211: WAD, WA, PocketPlus, PocketWeather, MemMaid, Pocketmusic, etc.
I don't know why, but Sprite always fails to perform its scheduled backups after a couple months. I have to delete it and reinstall it to get it to work again. I use wm2003se. I find it very suspect and cannot count on it. I'm going to try out spb backup.
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