Freeware to sync 2 laptops with usb transfer cable ?

[Parangles]

Hi, I have two laptops same model, with cloned drives with XP.
I want to use one and sync the contents with the other every few weeks.
Can Microsofts ActiveSync software do that ?
It seems to be for Windows to Win Mobile OS. Or will it do XP to XP?
I downloaded SyncBackSE but it seems to be folder to folder not drive to drive.

Can anybody recommend freeware to do an unattended sync ?

Would drag and dropping one drive on the other work ? Or will that
transfer all the files and just not the missing ones ?
ie work the drives to death.

Thanks lots !!

Edit- just downloaded and tried Windows version of Rsync recommended in the sticky here
but this also needs files to be selected. Wont accept just 'C' as source.

[glc]

Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - SyncToy 2.1

Free backup software - SyncBack Freeware - free data backup software

Why use a USB cable? You can very easily network them.

[Parangles]

Thank glc- network them ? Just connect them directly with a cat 5 cable ?
I get "IP conflict" messages when they are both on wireless or cabled via the router.
I said in my post I tried SyncBack but I dont see in the manual where it can do
drive to drive- you have to select individual directories/folders to sync.

Cheers

[glc]

You need to set them both to obtain IP address automatically, then the IP conflict should go away.

[Parangles]

SyncBack is no longer free- $56

Sync Toy new version does not work with XP,
and the old version is not available.
( Yes I installed Net Framework etc. prior to Sync Toy )

All of the other 5 or so freeware I have tried involve using
their server for the transfer with a monthly $ rental per Gb ;
or they are for syncing two folders on the same drive,
not one folder on one computer and the other folder on
another computer which is what I am trying to do.

[glc]

Syncback FREEWARE:

Free backup software: SyncBack Freeware | free data backup software

[Parangles]

That SyncBack versions still opens with options to Enter Key,Buy, or Evaluate
(ie Trial ) Price has gone down to $35.
Successfull freeware eventually becomes payware- like Auction Sentry

This site has many freeware sync programs, and discussion.
Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility

I tried about 5 of them and used Synchredible. Its fine. Dont think any can do drive to drive, only folder to folder. Will investigate later on. Some programs require the data to transfer through their server for a monthly fee.
Had to set up a home network - Thought that because both were on the same router that they were interconnected.
All is well. Thanks for the encouragement.


IP conflict was because the 2 laptops had the same name since one was a clone of the other.
Changed the name of one and its fine.