I’ve never looked at Sprite Backup before this review, so I’m approaching this as a novice, and to tell you the truth, I had to resort to the help file, and a couple of quick emails to work out how to get started with this application, but more on that later.
Sprite Backup is known as a great solution for windows mobile users, even allowing migration from one device to a new one, and across OS update’s as well. I’ve used another solution exclusively so I thought it was about time I had a comparison, to justify my product loyalty, or to be drawn in a completely new direction. As we all know a good backup solution is vital for any Windows Mobile user.
For someone like me, who is trying out all sorts of stuff, all of the time, it’s like having insurance, I never know what combination of software is going to  make my device unstable. Therefore, I make a backup every time I install some new program.

So do you think I might be tempted to make Sprite Backup my new solution?

Installation

It seems there is only one way to install Sprite Backup, download a 10.8 Mb Microsoft Installer file, and install from PC via activesync. I’ve just gone to Sprites site to make sure, as I’m writing this, and there is no OTA alternative. A way to download a .cab file and install directly to your device. Even for the alternative Sprite Backup Lite, which doesn’t include the desktop tools, still comes in a comparatively sized MSI package. Seems strange to me, and something that Sprite may want to consider.
Another note here, uninstallation. I’d be very happy for anyone to tell me I’m wrong on this point, but it seems the only way to uninstall Sprite Backup is manually. Trying to uninstall from the device, from settings/remove programs, during the process I got an error message, that said, all of the components could not be removed. After a soft reset, Sprite Backup still functioned normally. To remove it I had to delete all files manually, which included some registry editing. Luckily I had another backup to go to. Not a nice look though, and well beyond lots of users, but there are some detailed instructions here.

The Application Itself

That may seem like a negative start to a review, but I did promise to be thorough and unbiased, using Sprite though, was simplicity itself, once I figured out the interface.  I was confused when I first looked at the program, it opens by default, to start a one step backup [refer to above screenshot]. I put down my device, to whip off a quick email for some advice, and must have hit the D-pad which opened the UI for me. Being unfamiliar with the iconography of the program, I initially assumed that the line of icons were illustrating the steps of the backup procedure, possibly the inclusion of icon labels when unselected would help with this. Then again I might be the only person to have encountered this problem.

So after unceremoniously banging my head against the wall for a couple of minutes, and popping a couple of paracetamol, I proceeded to have a proper look at the program.

When using the “one step backup” which is a new feature, and actually when using the “customised backup” feature of the program.

The first thing that happens is a soft reset, which adds to the actual backup time. It takes Sprite about thirty seconds to prepare the backup and soft reset your device, then the restart process happens, and then the backup begins. The backup time on my x51 with WinMo 5, takes approximately three and a half minutes. When backup completes, your device will again soft reset, so add that time in as well, and once the reset is complete, Sprite Backup presents you with a notification screen.

The one step backup process, actually takes about six minutes, give or take thirty seconds. The one step backup process does not allow you any customisation, it all happens by default, and unfortunately within the program settings you can not change the default one step options, if I’m not correct here, let me know!

Again, the restore process is similarly convoluted. It starts with a soft reset, does the restore, and then soft resets again, finishing with a notification. It relatively took the same amount of time, and worked without a hitch.

These procedures amount to a set and forget backup/restore option, which is probably what most of us would prefer, but storage and customisation are vital, depending on your device, and what sort of drives it has. If you have a device like an Axim that has multiple storage options the “Custom Backup Option” will be your friend.

The custom backup option really is the option that impresses me, with SpriteBackup. It really lets you get down to the nitty gritty of  your device, choosing to the minutest detail what you add to the backup and where it resides on your device. probably the most important procedure I want to mediate on my device. A quick backup is great, but some times I do like to make a complete backup, that includes the full contents of my Ax. That includes an eight Gb CF card and a 4 Gb SD card.

One of the new features, the desktop backup manager, allowed me to take these custom backups to my PC. An incredibly convenient option when you have limited space on your device.

There is also a backup explorer included, that lets you access the contents of the backup from your PC. Very handy if you want to modify a backup manually, but you could really stuff up a backup if you don’t know what you are removing or editing here, so proceed with caution.

One of the things I found with the PC companion software, was sometimes it had problems initiating the backup on the device, it seemed to conflict with activesync, which actually happens with a lot of PC side options for windows mobile. It becomes a bout choosing your moment to start the backup, ie; once your device has synced, and stopped.

Conclusion

I’ve really enjoyed having a look at Sprite Backup, and essentially highlighting a few of my own inadequacies as well. To say, it is an application, that can be a one step, set and forget backup solution for any windows mobile device would not be wrong, as you can schedule backups to your hearts delight. The quality of the backups are impeccable, no loss at all as far as I could see.

Some of the settings had me scratching my head, but point to OTA transfers of backups to an external location, The FTP settings.

I didn’t have a destination, so I didn’t really get to try this out. Once again though features out the wazoo for Sprite Backup. Look if we had a rating system in place for reviews like thumbs up/thumbs down, this would get two thumbs up from me. It’s going to stay installed on the Ax, in anticipation of further updated versions.

Vitals

If you already have a copy of 6.xx Sprite Backup you can download the update HERE.

Sprite Backup is available for WM5, WM6/6.1, and costs $29.95 for a new purchase.

The update details and policies can be found in this post.