Backup does not detect open files or report them as open

[Guest]

[smipx013]

Hi,

Tried Comodo backup today while outlook was open.  What should happen is either:

1) Backup of the outlook data file fails and is reported as failed in the backup log

2) Comodo has the ability to handle open files and backs it up.

Neither occurs.

The file is backed up as 0Kb and the file is empty.  the log does not warn of this failure at all so you may be mislead into thinking all was well.

Thanks.

Paul

[panic]

G'day,

AFAIK, unless the backup application uses something like BackupExec's "Option File Option" add-on, open files can't be backed up as they are locked exclusively to the parent application.

The alternatives are to 1) force application shut down on backup start (but this could wreak havoc with unattended backups and unsaved data), 2) force a copy of the open file to be made and the copy backed up (again this could cause issues with unattended backups and unsaved data, particularly where TEMP is set to another drive or volume) or 3) Comodo could produce an open file add-on.

I've just gotten into the habit of making sure that apps are closed before the backups start. It's not as convenient, but better safe than sorry.

Re. the Outlook data file issue (assuming that Outlook wasn't running at the time), off the top of my head the only thing I can think of is that your "check for new mail" interval is set lower than the backup duration and the data file was actually held open. As I said, this is off the top of my head, so I'd love to be proven wrong.

Ewen :-)

[smipx013]

Agreed.  But all other backup products report a failure if the file is open. Compdo just backs up the file with 0 bytes and tells the user all is well.  That is bad.

Cheers,
Paul

[techpro]

There is a Windows XP service that backup programs can use to back up open files. Most of them use it.

[panic]

There is a Windows XP service that backup programs can use to back up open files. Most of them use it.

And that service would be called ........ ??

ewen :-)

[techpro]

The Volume Shadow Service.

[panic]

The Volume Shadow Service.

Ta Julian, I'll go looking.

Maybe you should post on the Backup Wish List that CAB should interface with this service.

thanks,
ewen :-)

[techpro]

If I was using it, I would wish that, but I already have Backup4All.

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