Spb Backup Review
By:
Saravana Kumar Paulraj
February
15,
2006
Introduction
SPB is well known in PPCD for its reviews in software and games (please see end of the review for the links). This time SPB has come up with software for backup. Few may think it as ‘just another backup’ software. Just read on to see, how this is different.
 Why Backup?
With the Windows Mobile 2003, people were scared with new ROM updates, which will make a CLEAN swipe of the SMS, Contacts etc from the device. That’s the time when ‘backup’ software started to get the heat in the PPC world.
Ok, WM5 came with the persistent storage. Do we still need backup?
I love to download as many software for my PPC as possible and ‘try’ in my device. I have ended up with the corrupted files / registries. This will force me for a perfect-hard-reset, and re-install all my must-have applications. Backup software, will be a boon for these kinds of PPC users. So, WM5 will not end Backup software developments
 Why not SPB Clone?
Some knows about the SPB clone, that just creates exact copy of the "master” PDA device, and restores on requirement. This was used by the PDA software developers and not used by the normal user, for the contents of backup.
SPB Backup provides a way, to just backup only the required contents (mail, registry, My Documents etc) and restore them. The best part is, SPB Backup creates a self-restoring image file that can be restored even without installing the main SPB Backup application.
SPB Backup offers more than this. The backup file can be compressed and password protected with strong 128-bit AES algorithm. SPB Backup offers an attractive and simple-to-use interface.
First Things First – what it does?
Supports PPC 2002, 2003, WM5
Backup the contents from the PDA.
Backup is compressed with 128 BIT Algorithm and ZIP it.
Restoring the backup files doesn’t need SPB Backup to be installed in the device.
TODAY – interface to say, when the last backup is performed.
Desktop PC utility for extracting information from backup files
Scheduled backups – allows to backup on schedule – to avoid unknown hard-reset due to battery problems.
Installation
Installation of the SPB Software is as same as the other SPB products. The installation has no hassles at all. So, let’s skip this section.
It automatically puts itself in the TODAY screen.
 Usage
It’s a simple process of few clicks. Select as per what’s on the screen, and what’s the requirement. Then finally the EXE file will be created, which can be used for ‘restoring’. There is nothing more in the software to do. So, let’s run through the process of Full and Partial backups.
 Full Backup
Since it is ‘FULL BACKUP’, just select the location where the file needs to be stored
The screen then shows about the space requirements and the file details.
Finally, it allows us an option to ‘close’ the other programs, before the backup starts. The backup actually starts after the confirmation.
I don’t have snapshot of the ‘backup on progress, since the full device is under control of SPB now.
The part I didn’t like is – the device has to be soft-reset after the backup is completed.
Custom Backup
The allows to backup few selected contents. First choose the contents to be backed-up.
Options for ‘System Data’
Options for Files
Options for My Documents
Then, select backup storage mode
Next it asks for the file storage location and same as in the above ‘Full Backup’. Soft-reset, is mandatory even if you perform ‘Mails’ backup. Some thing has to be done here.
Scheduled Backup
Allows us to select the ‘days’ when the backup should occur. Also allows selecting if the device should do a soft-reset.
Select the location to store the auto-backup file. Also, delete the already backed up files – to avoid running out of space.
General
We can select any storage media connected to the device. It also offers to store in any location in the RAM also – which can later be transferred to PC via SYNC.
 My View
Just for the sake of ‘trying’ I messed around with the ‘registry’ settings, after taking a backup. I did a hard-reset. Now, I restored from the backup, which I took just few minutes before hard-reset. I got my device back, from the restore. All games, internet settings, PIM works as smooth as before.
 Features Wish List
Integrate with SPB Pocket Plus
Avoid soft-reset after the backup process
Conclusion
A backup software in SPB style. Restore without help of SPB. Yet another must have software from SPB, for all mobile users.
Other SPB Software reviewed in Pocket PC Dubai
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