Windows Mobile 5 devices have been available since late 2005, and one of the advantages is in the use of non-volatile storage.  This means that when the device battery goes flat, no data will be erased.  Sprite Software have now just released their popular Sprite Backup for Windows Mobile 5 based devices.  The question most will be asking is why the need to backup when all data is stored in non-volatile memory?

The answer is easy - when some software is installed that is not yet WM5.0 compatible, it can lead to the device locking up and sometimes the only way to fix the problem is to hard reset the device.  It is in these situations that Sprite Backup comes to the rescue yet again.

Installation

Sprite Backup is installed the same as any other software.  The nice feature I liked about the installation was how the PC Agent side of the software launched a wizard to set up all of the features.  Upon completion of this wizard, I was prompted to create a backup straight away.  The wizard did everything including soft resetting the device before backup and after.  I didn't even have to remove the device from the sync cable.

Features

Sprite Backup has two modes of operation: Basic and Advanced.  The Basic mode allows the user to create a backup without playing with any settings.  In Advanced mode, various options are visible, including a file directory tree so the user can choose what files and folders to backup.

Here is a list of options available in Advanced mode:

• General Backup options - Allows the user to choose to compress, encrypt and automatically name backup files.  Also included is the option to leave a copy of Sprite Backup on the storage card (more on this later).
• Backup File Management - Allows the user to manage backup files by memory size (MB) or the maximum number of files to store on the storage card.
• Exclusion Rules - Allows the user to choose what types of files to exclude from the backup.
• Restore Options - Allows for the use of automatic menu handling.
• Scheduled Backup - This is one feature I relied upon when I had my XDA II, and am happy to see in this version.  This option allows the user to schedule backups at any time of day, either daily or weekly.  I have mine set for weekly, at 8:00 am on every Saturday.
• Networking - This allows for the backup of a device remotely over a network.

Previous versions of Sprite Backup included PocketMon and Space Detective.  On my old XDA II, I liked having PocketMon on my today screen, but I can't seem to find it with this latest version.  Perhaps it is no longer part of the package.

The Test Drive

I love being a Moderator, testing software & hardware, and writing reviews.  But, when it comes to testing backup software, I am just as nervous as any one else!  In preparation for the test drive, I did a fresh backup, and made sure all my contacts and such were backed up on my laptop.  The backup process was quick - completing in under 2 minutes.  With this done, and with a mood of anxiousness, I hard reset my new XDA Atom...

After allowing my Atom to sort itself out after being restored to factory settings, I opened up file explorer and navigated to the backup file on my MiniSD card.  To my surprise, the backup file was not recognised!  With previous versions of Sprite Backup, there was a setting to create a self restoring header.  This then created an executable backup file, negating any need to have Sprite Backup re-installed on the device first.  I did look through the options and couldn't find this setting, so I assumed this was done automatically.

So now I had to re-install Sprite Backup in order to restore my device... I wasn't very happy with this!  The restore process then took but a few minutes, and after the device was reset, I had everything back as before.  The one thing I noticed was the date and time - this was restored also!  Previous versions wouldn't do this, and the date and time needed to be manually set after a restore.

So, why did my backup file appear as an unknown file?  One option has changed - as previously stated, the option for creating a self restoring header has disappeared, and the option to leave a copy of Sprite Backup on the storage card taken its place.  Checking this option creates a copy of Sprite Backup on the storage card, along with all files required to run from that location.  If I had of checked this option, I wouldn't have needed to re-install Sprite Backup first.

After my XDA Atom had been successfully restored, I checked to see if everything was correct, and indeed this was the case.

The last step was to synchronise with my laptop again, and this is where I noticed a hastle with ActiveSync.  When connecting, ActiveSync reported that my device already had a sync relationship with a Windows PC, and it wanted to set up a new relationship which it called Windows PC 2.  This was a little frustrating, but after creating a new relationship, all was well.  This is an annoyance with ActiveSync, and not with Sprite Backup.

Conclusions

Sprite Software have nicely upgraded Sprite backup to work well on the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform.  Their software works without hastle (ActiveSync is the exception here though) and works reliably.  Scheduled backups also work without a hitch.  My only recommendation to users is to install Sprite Backup on their storage card, and ensure the option to leave a copy on the storage card is checked.  Installing to the storage card is not enough alone, and when that option is checked, all files required to run are also installed there.

In my opinion, Sprite Backup is an essential tool for those who like playing with software not yet WM5 compatible.  It is also an essential tool for everyone who likes the peace of mind in knowing that if the worst should happen - a full device restoration is only a few moments away.  I would also go as far as saying that Sprite Backup should become first on the list of compulsory software - if such a list ever exists!

Please refer to the Sprite Software web site for purchasing and availability information.

Sprite Software's Sprite Backup 5 deserves a Very Good 9/10