[General Questions and Answers] nir36:
Backup your contacts/messages/email/notes/data/system...etc.

another common question presented in the early days of the Q&A section and is presented still is "how do i back my stuff up?"

well...

How do I backup my Contacts/Messages/Email and/or my System?

Personally, and at work, I use 3 tools to back everything up.

I will review all 3.

1. PIMBackup 2.8 - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=299705 - the tool was created by dotfred

PIMBackup IS FREEWARE

PIMBackup is used to backup information only. that is:

- appointments

- call logs

- contacts

- messages (SMS, Mails, ...)

- speed dials

- tasks

No installation required.

To backup your info:

a. Load pimbackup

b. choose Backup from the dropbox

c. choose the info you'd like to backup, click next

d. click browse and choose where you'd like the backup file to be stored

e. you can choose other options from the list according to your preference, click next

f. a backup file will be created in the dir you chose.

To restore your info:

a. Load pimbackup

b. choose restore from the dropbox

c. click browse and look for your backup file.

d. choose the info you'd like to restore...

e. the rest is pretty clear.

2. SPB Backup - http://beta.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/

SPB Backup IS NOT FREEWARE

SPBBackup is used to backup all info and data. it can also create an image of your system. The image is DOES NOT act like a regular PC image but an image of multiple files sitting separately in one file. It DOES NOT contain your ROM data... but if you need to restore to a previous state it works great. it can also backup network storage and storage cards.

To backup your info/data:

a. choose custom backup

b. choose the info/data you'd like to backup

c. click Menu/options and choose whether you'd like to create a stand-alone restorer or not. (the stand-alone restorer creates an EXE file while you can run from your file manager. If you don't choose a stand-alone restorer you will have to load SPBBackup and choose Restore Backup and choose the backup file).

d. write the file name and location where you'd like to save your backup file, click next

e. choose whether you'd like to have the info/data compressed... and encrypted.. and maybe add a comment.. (i usually write to which rom the backup fits)

f. the rest is pretty clear...

You can also backup the entire storage card using SPBBackup..

You can also choose to create a full backup which skips some of the above steps.

You can create a scheduled backup as well.. very useful.

3. SPB Clone - http://beta.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/clone/

SPB Clone IS NOT FREEWARE (putting it mildly)

UIwise, SPB Clone pretty much resembles SPB Backup in every aspect. it's straight forward and doesn't require instructions.

SPB Clone is more of an industrial tool. I use it at work to clone images of PPC's and restore them on different devices.

it seems that the differences between SPB Clone and SPB Backup are minor.. but there are a few relevant ones.

You can also backup the entire storage card using SPBClone..

-SPB Clone can be personalized to specific PPC IP's and owner names.

-SPB Backup doesn't depend on anything but the ROM and it less sensitive different rom versions.

-SPB Clone costs 299$ :)

-SPB Backup costs 25$

-SPB Clone doesn't backup sync info meaning you can't backup your sync profile. this is usually how it's done in enterprises. This means that if you used SPB Backup you would be copying all sync info to another person in your company. something you probably wouldn't want to happen.

and the most important one.

-SPB Clone's restore period is MUCH faster. SPB Backup restores files individually while SPB Clone restores a complete image of the device.

I will probably update this guide with more backup tools in the future.

If you found this guide useful please Donate.. (all donations go to TZABACH Wounded Animal Service)