backup problems

[penyeKz]

I've been trying to backup using the built in backup software. If very little software is installed, the backup is fine. But once i install my full suite of programs, it says backup failure after about 80% whether I do it to a CF (blank or full) or internal memory. Backup from activesync is fine but since it can't do it internally, i'm a bit dubious if a restore will work.

wats happening here?

The software I use is:
Resco explorer/picture viewer
Mobipocket reader/acrobat reader
flash format
pocket tv
pocketmusic
pocket money/streets
Batterypack
todays the day
journal bar
Icbar
handbase
+ lots and lots of games

any ideas guys?

I stopped using the default backup program because of this same reason. I have been using the demo of Pocket Backup by Sprite Software and have had no trouble at all. This is a neat app to have :).

[jamesrmr2]

I started to get the same problem recently. Only way around it I found was to delete my existing backup file before doing a new one, and it works OK. Not the best solution (what if you have a problem after you delete, but before the backup completes?) but saves me having to buy extra software.

I thought it might be that the backup program tries to write the backup to built in memory (regardless of its ultimate destination) but if the total memory needed (old backup file + new) is greater than the total built in memory, then it fails. Built in memory = about 21MB, my backup file = about 12.5MB, only leaving 8.5MB free. So if it tries to create a new backup file (of 12.5MB) then overwrite the old file with the new one, it will run out of memory.

Just a hunch - does anyone know if this is correct?

[ikehiker]

It sounds like a memory problem (i.e. the location you are backing up to is running out of space) but that shouldn’t happen with an empty CF card. I remember someone had problems with the backup until they allowed the program to use the default name (default.dbk). Also, try doing a soft reset immediately before running the backup utility (and do not create an ActiveSync connection). If you want to keep an existing, earlier backup version, simply copy or move it to your PC before running the backup utility.

I'm not sure about the backup using the built-in memory. It's a possibility, though, since I've read that ActiveSync stores files that are being transferred to a memory card temporarily in the main memory. Doing the soft reset immediately before running the backup utility should give you as much free memory as possible.

[Raynne413]

Also, try performing a soft reset before you attempt to backup. Sometimes there are software conflicts.