How to Sync 5 PCs at Home

CMTec,

You are going to have to define "Sync". Your first step will be to get them all part of the same "network". This means choosing a name for your network (workgroup), and putting all the computer into this new workgroup. This is done by right-clicking on "My Computer", go to properties, then to "Computer Name".

So, how do you want to "Sync" the computers?

Tom

Tdesmit, ...

Thanks for the reply, ...

Yes, I'm clear on the "workgroup"/network deal, and I can see "My Docs" on all 5 PC's from any 1 PC in the house.

I use the term "sync" rather than stating, I want all 5 PC's in the house to have the same docs. I guess another term would be "back-up", but I never cared for that term.

In any case, I'd like to get the same docs. on all PC's. Then of course, as I add docs. to one, it would then go to the others. Hence, "sync"...

Is there a software program that does such a thing?

The thought of copy/pasting everyday or so (to the other PC's) seems primitive...

Any ideas?

Very well then. I'll see what SyncToy does.

Thanks MUCH...

Alright Tom Cat, ...

That's a winner. That SyncToy is kick-butt.

Backup is a common term in the USA which can be done through a network.

Here's what I did with my 3 PCs and 2 laptops. I set one PC beside my stereo/TV system and called it my "Server". I set it up with four 250G drives using a RAID configuration which provides the system security (back-up) since if any one drive fails, the others can rebuild the data onto a new replacement drive.

Then, I stored all my Music, Data, and copies of all my Software DVDs on this.

The other PCs and laptops access these folders so there really is only one copy of each file and it's continuously Sync'ed or protected. I've also managed to reduce the HD requirements in each machine because there are no duplicates.

In the Software folder, I have things like MSOffice, Adobe, games, etc so when I need to install something on any of the other computers, there's no more looking for disks; I just install from the Server.

Just for "belts and suspenders" security, I also have a portable Maxtor One-Touch 320G drive that has a copy of my Data folder and this I keep with me at all times. It goes from home to office so in case of fire or theft, my data is in a physically different location. BTW, the Maxtor is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and is encrypted and password protected.

Grae

OK, Grae, ...

When I win the lotto, I'll go buy all that stuff. Server, ehh??

you need to enable file and printer sharing on all files etc. you want shared

You can easily find basic RAID1 server with 500GB for less than 300$.

The prize you may get playing at lotto, may not be the one you thought!

Considering indeed that you have 5 PC to network and that certainly you have some essential family photos, movies, ... stored on them spending that amount of money may save you from a family drama!

Digital era pushes us toward those solutions.

Patrice

Talking about sync and backup, is there such a thing as a free internet automatic sync provider?

Jonas

SyncToy...cool...will it also re-sync units when they've been disconnected for a few days? I run a Photo school a few hours away so I'm away 4 or 5 days at a time.

Thanks!

While it is fun to play with new tools... the old KISS adage is still a real good one.

Why not just make a folder on the PC with the largest amount of free room, call it "Shared Docs" - or whatever, then make that folder shareable to the other machines on your network. Then make a shortcut on the desktop of each of the other PCs that point to the shared resource.

This way... you only have only one copy of the material, and you do not have another process eating up resources on your machines. This is the easiest way to do this. And no... you do not need a "server" to do this, only a peer to peer setup, which Windows does very well and is what you already have in place.

By the way... this is exactly what GB suggested, only described in a little planer language.

I am "network administrator" for two desktops and a laptop. Oh, and the Wii uses the wireless network also.

The newest, fastest PC with the big HD holds the "shared documents" folder. The shared printer/fax/scanner is plugged into it also. Cost- $0.

Going to eventually get an external HD for this PC and use it for the shared files- a 500 GB drive is about $75 and a 1 TB drive is about $110.

Or, you can get a 16 GB flash drive for $25-$36, keep the shared files on that, and grab it in case of fire or disaster.

Edit: For data security, I back stuff up to DVD-R on a regular basis.

CMTech,

Let me set your mind at ease, my "server" is nothing but a regular PC with hand-me-down 250G drives from our other computers. We did have to buy a new case, power supply, MB and memory - total cost ~$500. The only difference between this and my other PCs is that it it has a slower CPU (cheaper), runs RAID (which comes with most newer MB) and is black to match my stereo equipment. Actually, it's probably the least expensive PC in the system since the video & audio cards are legacy boards left over from upgrading our other computers. Also, since the large amounts of music, video and software we were duplicating on the other PCs could now be shared, we had to buy only 2 HDs and simply stole the others from the existing PCs.

Grae

These are all good ideas for stable systems. Unfortunately my laptop is out of the "network" fro 5 or 6 days at a time.I have never managed to be able to keep machines synced like I use to when I worked for big company with lots of software.

You might say, well just use your laptop fro email all the time & that's what I've been doing except it would be a lot more comfortable and better for my wrists, arms, neck to be able to use the main computer for everything when I'm home & have everything be synced when I need to travel. Heck, I'd even leave the laptop up, thought it does waste electricity if I'm not using it.

So...I guess I've taken the original question to another level of difficulty...but that's why I asked... 8o)

AAndy,

I used to have the same problem, and SyncToy proved to be the perfect answer with a simple addition. I use a USB flash drive as a "master", and set up a sync on each machine to the flash drive. My first and last act when using a PC is to run the sync on the flash drive. No matter what work I've done on which machine, the flash drive and the last machine I used always have the latest version of every file. It's also saved me on the road when my laptop died and I had to use the hotel's business center.

P2P

Excellent!

I'll have to give this a try.

I was hoping for some sort of automatic procedure (who isn't)
but this sounds perfect.

Thanks

Regards

Andy

I know I shouldn't fish for compliments, you never know what you might catch

BUT for those who feel a poster has been helpful and offered a viable solution to the question, there is a method to indicate your approval (blatant hint!)

Nuf said,

Tom

Sorry...I was away for a "while"...thanks again..

I have an old P3 with a 260 gig and a 10 gig drive in it.

On the small drive I installed free Nas that I got from

http://www.freenas.org/

All my documents are shared from that drive, as it is a server I can use it to save just about any thing I want, pics, docs, xls files the sky is the limit.

My next goal is to get a Sata card that does raid and 4 sata drives.

That should be a great NAS system.

Good luck

Lee