I installed the programm without having any problems.
Run the programm, backup some files, no problem.
Also open the backup file using winrar 3.5.1 in my computer, no problem. This is a very great software, thank's a lot GOTD !

Had same problem as others when attempting to backup with Doublesafety. Even though there is plenty of room where the backup is to be stored, the backup failed due to insufficient space. Nice idea and thanks for the effort but the software will be uninstalled.

It has issues with Win XP Service Pack 2.
I have the same block issues a couple of others have mentioned when trying to view the files. It is part of the security settings that came with service pack 2.
It won't burn the backup file to DVD and the built in Windows unzip won't read the file because it blocks it for my own good. I can extract other zipped files with Windows so I think DoubleSafety has some more work to do on this product. I don't want to download another program just so I can read the zipped files from this one. I have uninstalled mine.

Comment 81 looks like my problem. I started backup to CDs but when I try to open one to see if it's there, I am unable to open. the file does not look zipped and file type is .z01, .z02 etc. How do I open them? I also have XP and can unzip regular zipped files just fine.

#57. Indeed, my external drive had FAT32. I "convert"ed the file system to NTFS and then DoubleSafety worked fine. Thanks.

works like a champ. simple to use and i burned all my files to cds.
i did find that you must be carefull it will automaticly include files that you haven't selected. you have to unselect them. other than that . i like it

Was excited to finally back up all my MP3s but also received the verifcation error when writing to DVD. Product has a lot of potential but may need a few more rounds of QA. I would love to use it to back up client's websites and code I write..

Hello,

About verification problems - try to download an updated version from http://www.doublesafety.com/files/doublesafety.zip

We fixed that problem, I hope.

But please note that this is an update, so your GotD registration will not work. You should not download that version if you have no troubles with verification function or you can spare that feature.

It works but isn't that good. I doubt anyone will buy it.


Rply to comment 10 and 13. WHAT IS THE CATCH THAT BENEFITS THE GIVEAWAY TEAM? Oh and i can't see any ads.

I am sorry to say that the burn engine of DoubleSafety is not XP friendly. I have sound hardware with latests drivers and good media which can be proven because all the other burners I have (Nero, Sonic, Alcohol) where able to burn the manually created zip file.

It seems this software only works if the backup is done to a disk, their burning engine is not XP friendly. I can live with that. It still saves me the trouble to keep track of what's backed up and what's not. Then i burn the files manually. I still can create sets of backups and use all the other options. It is still a winner for me.

If the purpose of this service is testing software and get some feedback then my feedback is that like the ftp feature, the cd/dvd feature needs more work. Also, the .zip extension is not used and the backup file looks like a orphan file (no progs work on it when clicked).

-pauloparra

Nice program, and makes backups so easy that even newbs shouldn't have too much trouble. No more excuses not to do backups!

Was a little alarmed at #72 Maxim's post regarding re-opening the zipped backups, but my test files opened fine with WinZip. You don't have to use Double Safety to re-open.

Just a side note to the self-titled "Advanced Specialist":
The first thing you learn in Tech Writing 101 is that end users generally don't like to read instructions. If they can't even manage a glance at GOTD's short-and-to-the-point readme.txt or a few previous comments then what in the world makes you think they'll have a chance of sifting through your diatribe?

Of course, you can also use the restore utility of DoubleSafety to extract zip-archives on your hard drive (but you do not depend upon it).

Well, you can have it make a zip-archive. I have the same unzip blocking nuisance as #66. What you can do in this case is using certain free file
archiver software s.a. IZArc, ZipGenius or PowerArchiver 2001 to extract
the zip-archives. See www.p2preactor.com/usenet/security-admin/1562878-zip-files-blocked.html
for more on the matter.

I just tried the built in Windows XP ZIP and it can't see anything in these ZIPs. Although WinZip works just fine. I am sure others will work too.

Really Maxim (#72)? I just used it just to check out what you say is true and I created two different backups and both open and extract just fine with WinZip 9.0 SR-1. What are you using to open these ZIPs?

That's not true Maxim, the zip file opens fine in winrar and the files can be extracted. I am just getting reading errors.

-pauloparra

Sorry to upset your delicate sensibilities Advanced Specialist (#65) :). I've reread my post feeling that you may have been correct in assessing my statement as insulting and that I was too harsh. I fail to see it as insulting.

OK - don't feed the trolls. If I am correct in sensing some trolling, I should not provide them with added attention. I'll grant you that point.

As for reading and following instructions or reviewing posts to see if anyone else has had a similar problem that may already have been answered, I hardly see that as insulting. It is good advice to anyone who may be having problems. I could have stated it a bit better, and left out the "Get with it people!", but it still makes sense. If someone is a beginner or somewhat less computer literate, encouraging them to read and try and do on their own is valid. Teach a man to fish and all that.

In any case, I'll get off my soapbox and promise to never make any comment that is not directly related to a difficulty with or the operation of the program in question.

NOTE: these backup files seem to be in a proprietary format and can NOT be unzipped, opened or restored without the DoubleSafety program.

SAVE A COPY OF THE PROGRAM TO REINSTALL IF YOUR SYSTEM CRASHES.

Even the unlicensed program will be good for 30 days, enough to restore your backups.

I am having trouble with the verification process. It creates the zip file fine, burn it ok, and then in the verification part it stops and says "cannot open file "E:\test.zip" the parameter is incorrect". Then it says that the verification failed and it aborts the backup. The file E:\test.zip is there and has no errors, isobuster says there are no problem with it. Nothing was opened that was accessing the file or the E drive. What gives?

pauloparra

Wow, this is great - Ive been looking for something like this for a while now.

Thanks as always GOTD! Glad to see you back =)

I installed this program and tried to back up some files with it after. I was backing them up and got an error message with something about the verification process and the backup having to be aborted. I'm sure I could have tried again but I have too many files to sit around and wait to see if something like this is going to work, so I uninstalled it. I normally use Nero for my backups so I am going to stick with that for now.

It didn't work. It burnt a file with an extension of z01 to my DVD and failed the verification step. The file was unreadable.

Just to be clear, we do not have to register this product, Just activate it. Is that right?

looks as a nice prgm, installed fine, activated and registered well, I ran a backup project and did excellent, created a zip file about 50% compressed of original file.
The only problem I had and that may relate to my own computer settings is that when tried to unzip, got a error/warning message teling me it was blocked as a suspected file and if I was sure it was a safe file needed to go into the properties of the file and "unblock it", I jsut couldnt find that option so eventually have to uninstal the prgm, too bad, I think could be an usseful tool.
thanks

Also DoubleSafety can make "sets" which are lists of files in different places and folders that comprise a group of stuff that you want to backup and it does all of it at once. With winrar you would essentially be doing all of this manually. Which is fine if that's what you want. But usually if something is a 'bother' for people, then they don't do it. And since DoubleSafety makes it easy and automatic, then people will be more likely to actually do it, which is good. WinRAR is a really nice advanced archiver, but it would need the backup sheduler shell (here --> http://acritum.com/ocb/ in order to do any scheduled backups)

5. INSULTS: To #44 known as "JC" : insulting people is not appropriate. If you wish to help, do it. If you wish to criticize, go make a blog and type all you want. There are 6 billion people in the world of varying expertise levels. Some might be kids. Not everyone knows as much about computers as you do, or you 'think' you do. If you are actually smart enough to detect that someone is actually a troll, then you should also be smart enough not to 'feed' them. And at the same time, don't type things that are off-putting to other simple everyday users who might want to try the program, even if they didn't read, even if they click the wrong things, and even if they are not paying attention according to your standards. Just help. And leave it at that. Otherwise your posts with insults lower the quality of the site. If you are agitated and don't want to help or don't feel like it, then bypass it and someone else who feels like it can deal with it and answer it and you don't have to waste your valuable time. And #54's comment such as: "#44 I totally agree with you about the “cant activate” shit and all this. It is so simple to activate the programs that it makes you look really stupid" is right out. Using profanity and calling people stupid and this kind of insulting post is not needed. Just save your time and use it for something that you enjoy better and makes you happier.

6. IMPROVEMENTS: It looks like the authors take note of this site and the comments here and do respond, so maybe if you have constructive advice or suggestions for good features that could improve the program, then that would be nice if you post them here. That will improve it for all of us. Or if you have tips, keyboard shortcuts, or tricks that you found that make the program better or easier to use, that would be fun to learn from everyone here.

7. THANKS. Finally. Thank you very much to this site for offering the free software. That is very kind of you. And If the favor can be returned by a future purchase or adverts, I hope it remains possible and profitable for you to continue. It is much appreciated.

1. OPEN FILES: Acronis TrueImage program (not free) can backup OPEN FILES. It can also do a true clone image disk to disk or an entire partition, and differential backups also. Symantec Norton Ghost 10 fails at this, do not buy Norton ghost 10. version 9 was fine. Symantec ruined it in Norton Ghost version 10. They bought Powerquest which had owned ghost and changed it and now that program is a failure. Acronis is now the leader. This DoubleSafety program is great for easy simple backups, and ones for documents only that are not open files, and if DoubleSafety gets 1 person to actually DO a backup, then I congratulate it 100%.

2. ACTIVATION & REGISTRATION: 1st, DO what it says in the readme file that comes with each download. 2nd, IF that does not work. QUIT the shareware program and then try running the 'activate.exe' program. 3rd, if that doesn't work you need to VERIFY that you actually quit the program. Look near your clock at bottom right. That is called the "SYSTEM TRAY". The 'taskbar' is name of the part between the START button and the clock. The area near the clock is called the "SYSTEM TRAY". I don't know why, but that's just the proper name that is used. Anyway, look there for an icon of the shareware program (for example, DOUBLESAFETY is a light blue icon and it remains running even if you click the main program's [X] button. You have to right click that system tray icon and choos to QUIT/EXIT doublesafety. When there is no more icon in the system tray, then it's closed.) Also you can run the task manager (ctrl-alt-delete + "T") and verify it there. Run the activate.exe program after you are sure the shareware program is not running anymore. The reason this DoubleSafety program does not exit completely when you click the [X] on the main screen is because it needs to run in the background and wake up in order to do timed scheduled backups. ) 4th, I don't know if the activation requires connection to this Giveawayoftheday.com website to complete the activation, maybe it does, so make sure you have access. Regardless, it is good if you do because at the very least, you will get a confirmation message that the program is Indeed activated.

3. SPYWARE & ADS: The software programs do NOT contain any ads or spyware. The reason they can give it away is because it is advantageous to get people to 'try' the programs. Then people can tell friends who might buy it. Or maybe the company they work for might order 100+ copies of it if they like it. That might never happen if nobody ever tried it or even heard of the program. Ads on the web page pay some, and the fact that you need to visit again each DAY means you load the ads again every day which helps bring them a little advert revenue. In addition, another way that the programmer could eventually make some money even though they are giving it away free now, is that you might start using it, get accostomed to it, and then they might have a NEW VERSION. Then since you like it or have your data stored in it, or are accostomed to it, you might pay to purchase an upgrade or for a NEW version later on some day.

4. WINRAR: The reason you might want this program versus WINRAR is that This program, DoubleSafety can do SCHEDULED timed backups. For example it runs in the background and it wakes up at 12midnite and backs up a folder for you. As far as I'm aware, winrar does not stay in your 'tray' running and do backups on a schedule. Winrar is more just a compression program, which it does nicely, but it's not a scheduler

Thanks. It is quite fast in backing up files. A real gift to somebody in the giveaway (voluntary) sector like me

#56, John:

It's best to always read the readme.txt that comes with each program and closely follow those directions. But it will work either way with tiday's program, install first then activate or activate first then install. But if you choose to install first then activate, you must remember to CLOSE the installed program first before activating.

If you're not able to connect to the GOTD site to activate then that means either your server or GOTD's is too busy at the moment, just try again later as long as it's still within the 24 hour give-away time.

If you ALWAYS get the 'unable to connect' message then there may be a conflict with a firewall program you may be using or a conflict with a proxy server. If it's a firewall conflict on your own machine you can temporarily shut off your firewall by referring to the Help file of whatever firewall program you are using. If you are connecting through a proxy server then it's possible you may not be able to activate because you can't shut off the outside proxy server's firewall, you can only shut off your own firewall.

To know whether or not you are connecting through a proxy server you need to check either your own connections settings or check with the service you use to connect to the internet.

[...] Hoje, por exemplo, estão distribuindo o DoubleSafety, solução de backup que custa U$ 39,95. [...]

Did not support Unicode folder name.

Welcome back GOTD, you were gone for only one day, but it seems like a lot longer, I can't explain it.

I love this DoubleSafety. It is simple to use and it does only one thing. I was doing .zip backups manually, after losing a lot of stuff on a crash of course.

DoubleSafety has a simple interface, uses a widespread format to store and compress your backup data and allows you to save it pretty much anywhere you want (the ftp thing is not a big deal, at least to me), all in the same place. I have already done my first backup and saved it on a DVD and it took me only 15 mins.

Andrey, Do you have mind readers at Power Labs? DoubleSafety does pretty much exactly all the same things I was doing manually already, step by step. Simply amazing.

Another example of the greatness of this service. I must admit that I got a bit scared yesterday when I couldn't raise you. I even subscribed to a forum that discusses your site to try to get some info, but your server came back with explanations before anybody answer my questions there.
But this is off-topic. Just wanted to thank GOTD for the great job you are doing.
Somehow I think you are destined for greatness, that is, if you are not already there of course.

I've been waiting for a backup program like this. Will definitely download on my pc at home...Thanks!

#49 - What about file system used on your external hard drive? I think, it doesn't support files larger than 4Gb. Just try to set backup file splitting (by 3Gb, for example) in item properties dialog box.

Do I install the program first and then activate it as some of the posts on here are suggesting, or do I do as it sayes in the readme file and activate it first then install the program?? I have tried both ways and still not able to connect to givawayoftheday.com site to enable activation.

John.

I like the feature it uses popular format. However the ZIP has a major short fall on file names with special symbols or foreign letters (ones Windows supports). It defeats the purpose to support different languages.

It would be nice if DoubleSafety could allow users to chose their own external compression software (such as WinRAR) to support individual different needs.

#44 I totally agree with you about the "cant activate" shit and all this. It is so simple to activate the programs that it makes you look really stupid - no offense.

As for the program, it is really amazing.

I run through the Help file of the program, to see what it actually does. It is really great. Has many abilities, and I will start using it immediately, therefore stop worrying about important job files. Supports many ways of backup, including incremental backup, and I also like the fact that it can backup files even on a USB flash drive - as long as it has enough space for what you want to backup. The scheduler is a great feature also, and even if the program is not running at the scheduled time, it will create the backup as soon as you launch it.

For once more, I have to say that you gave a wonderfull program, and even if some of my friends dont make it to download the free giveaway, I am sure that some of them are going to byu this handy program.

Very nice and easy to use!

To all who have problems with Activation: after installing and using the activate.exe file, just quit the software (look at the taskbar!). Then click it again it wow...it functions...

Can someone tell me what the difference is between this and a regular Winrar program? Do I need this if I already have winrar and a burning program installed?

Today I downloaded, installed and activated DoubleSafety without any problem. I then started a back up of a folder (containing 23,633 files, 819 sub folders, total size about 12 GB) from C: to another external USB hard disk. After 41 minutes of operation about 1/3 was done and then I got the message, not enough space for the operation and the backup process has to be aborted. Incidentally, following is my disk space statistics:
Local Disk (C:) Free space 187 GB
Local Disk WD MediaCtr (P:) Free Space 219 GB
Computer details: Pentium 4, 3GHz, 2 GB RAM, WinXP Professional SP2

GOTD, do you plan on providing software for Macs?

I'm with #44. Read the readme file in the unzipped folder! The programs are made by different companies. They all have different steps to activate and install them. You need to read the installation instructions each time. I've never had a single problem with any of the apps or games installing or activating to full version. Well, except for the first set of programs I downloaded and neglected to install the same day so it wouldn't activate the following day. I'm amazed at how many people really missed the downloads yesterday like I did. It's like going on a new adventure each morning or like having Christmas presents every morning.

Thanks for the fun GOTD team!

Hello guys,

First of all, the thanks to all of you for your feedback. I am glad, that DoubleSafety pleased to you.

I want to answer several frequently meeting questions.

First, some words about the activation. Don’t mind it, the program is free for GotD visitors today. After you executed an activate.exe file, it is necessary to simply restart the program (select the "Exit" item from the "File" menu of the main window).

Secondly, about backing up to FTP. That function will be realized in the nearest version of DoubleSafety (as well, as backing up opened files, I hope). It will be released most likely at the end of January or begin of February.

About problems on disc verification - it fails if disc reads badly, so if there is a verification problem, it would be better to use another disc for backing up.

In conclusion, thanks to the GotD project for a nice opportunity of introduce our product to a great community. Thank you and good luck to all of you.

P.S. There is 14 hours remained, so hurry to download a program. ;)

*42

I think you have to run activate before you run the program had no problems with that part of it. Just verify failing.

It seems that a lot of people must be getting their jollies by continually posting things like, "Can't activate", "Won't activate", "Still says trial version" and asking for a reply. For those of you who find this funny, it's not. If you really are having problems, why don't you read the instructions for installing and activating included with every program? And if that doesn't work, why don't you review the comments already posted since they probably contain the answer to your same question?

I have never had a problem downloading or activating any program I have chosen to use from (Game) Giveaway of the Day. Get with it people!

In any case, glad you guys are back. I had become so accustomed to checking out your site that yesterday seemed to be off kilter all day!

It is free today, from our site. Please use activate.exe to register the program, and make sure you quit the software before running activate.exe

Double Safety is NOT FREE!!!!!

Back up keeps failing on verify, ruined 2 dvd +r disks. Would have been a nice prog.

I tought DoubleSafety is available as a Giveaway of the day! You have 16 hours 10 minutes to download and install it. Why is it showing 30 days days remaining of the 30-day evaluation period?.
The software is asking for a registration key. What's going on?.

Please respond