PIM Backup vs Sprite Backup - Windows Mobile Apps and Games

Am i right in thinking that these 2 programs are essentially the same (with the exception that PIM backup is independently developed, and freeware, whereas Sprite Backup is commercial software + not free) ?
Can PIM backup do things that Sprite backup cannot?
Just wondering, as i got Spite Backup bundled with my Kaiser.
Thanks!

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PIM Backup
PIM Backup, only backup for Contact, Calendar (appointment), To do, Task, Massages (SMS).
Spritebackup could do everything PIM Backup do, Plus all setting System (include register) and all software have been installed.

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PIM backup allows PIM information to be transferred across different operating systems and different devices.
I can transfer my Agenda Fusion appointments from my HTC X7500/WM6 to my IPAQ 2755/WM2003 with no problem.
Using Sprite to do any of that will give completely unreliable (or no) results.

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Both are good programs, Sprite backup is awsome though
Your phone's databases are .pim files hence the name PIM backup. As stated above it only backs up and restores these pim files. Sprite backup backs up everything as described above as well. The reason for my post is to correct nrm (post above this one). Sprite backup can restore to different devices. When you are restoring you have to specify what type of restore you want to run (level 1-3). Also you can manually specify what you want to restore. If you just want to restore your personal data (PIM databases) you can select just this. So Sprite can do exactly what pim can do but so much more. One down side to sprite is that the version I am running (v.6.5.4) is not compatible with WM6.5 or WM7. I havent bothered to even check if they have a new version out that is compatible. Sprite still works with these newer versions of Windows Mobile but M$ has changed the format of the above mentioned databases (files on root of device with .pim extension) and it will not back them up. So until there is a new compatible version of sprite backup you will need to use pim to backup your databases and you can still use sprite to backup everything else.

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And what about Spb Backup?

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I've tried them both. PIM Backup is great for the Contact/Calendar/Task/Message backup, and I have been able to backup and restore across WM5/WM6/WM6.5 ROMs. I've tried an older version of Sprite and it had some problem restoring the Contact/Calendar/etc. Perhaps this problem goes away for the newer version.
Sprite Backup is great for automatically backing up the entire device including files and settings. When I hard reset because I messed something up, Sprite makes it very easy to do a complete restore. When you are changing ROMs I take a more manual approach.
I backup the entire device using Sprite Backup to get all the files and settings on the device (just in case I forget anything). Using Total Commander, I zip up the following folders: Start Menu, Windows (just the files installed since the flash like Titanium CPR files and any file installed programs might save here), Program Files, Applicaton Data, My Documents, and Root folder. I also backup HKCU\Software and HKLM\Software registry entries. I copy those reg backup files to my computer and use a text editor to delete all entries that might cause a conflict (typically all HTC, Microsoft, IA Style, OEM folders).
Then when I need to change ROMs I have all the files and registries to get my device back on my feet very quickly. I don't have to reinstall all my software, nor go thru e-mails to find registration keys, or re-do each programs' settings. Most of their settings are stored in the registry, so its a very easy upgrade.
I haven't tried a recent version of Sprite. They may have improved the upgrading feature between ROMs and have better support for WM6.5 so my need to manually backup and edit registry entries might be already done automatically by Sprite.

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Cassatta said:
And what about Spb Backup?
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SPB Backup is better than Sprite... but PIM Backup is essential so you can backup your PIM from to time to time easily.

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TheRem said:
SPB Backup is better than Sprite... but PIM Backup is essential so you can backup your PIM from to time to time easily.
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I agree but with spb you can also schedule backup's and choice only pim data.

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yup but you can't separate the contacts, tasks and appointments in SPB Backup.

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all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....

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there's an option in SPB Backup (Customize Restore)... in System Data, you can uncheck Restore Registry.

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TheRem said:
yup but you can't separate the contacts, tasks and appointments in SPB Backup.
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I agree, but is it usefull?

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Ok folks, great input, but to tell you the truth, I would say you need both.
PIM Backup + your favorite backup program (I use SPB Backup) but have used Sprite as well.
Personally I will backup using SPB before I make a major change or test a Beta program just and sometimes (once a week if I have done any updates/installation of new software).
But, anytime I add any really important contacts/appts/tasks I will use PIM backup as well in case I decide to change my ROM (I usually just do a manual install of the cabs I want).

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saurabh88 said:
all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....
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The last spb Backup version detects if you have a new rom installed and suggests a special restore for same device but different rom. It has worked very well for me when flashing new roms.

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is it possible with one of these software to transfer sms from an older device to a new one without deleting sms stored on my new device..
I'm not sure I'm clear here
I have a tytn2 with thousand of messages that I want to keep
I have a tp2 with some messages that I want to merge with the old tytn2's messages.
don't want to erase everything accidentaly, please give me an advice

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use PIM Backup to backup your sms on the tytn2 , then copy PIM Backup and the backup file to your tp2 , and restore the file on the tp2.
it will let you choose how to restore each item , overwrite existing info or just merge them~ keep an eye on it ,overwriting is by default

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saurabh88 said:
all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The advantage of SPB Backup is that you can choose to restore to a new ROM and so it does not overwrite the new system files and registries. I always use it after flashing a new ROM and it works very nicely.

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I only recently discovered this myself, but pim backup can do quite a bit more than just backup pim.vol and cemail.vol. It also has a custom file backup, which is a wonderful feature and is very easy and intuitive to use. If you uncheck "binary", you can easily access the individual files (change backup extension from .pib to .zip). You can backup individual files or entire directories (like application data). It's well worth checking out. Just highlight "Custom" then click the 'Options' button to get going on it.