Robust and quick copying/duplicating software wanted

[havre]

I'm trying to duplicate or copy a large amount of files. I've encountered problems with virtually every method I've tried.

Drag and drop - it stops if it finds a file which has too long a path
Roadkill's Unstoppable Copier - It takes too long (it estimates 45 hours to copy 500GB); Also, it will rename a file/directory if it encounters a path with too long a name.
SyncBackFree - It doesn't copy the thumb files, which means the directory sizes won't match when the copy is done. I don't know what it will do if it encounters a file with too long a path name.

I could try WinMerge to compare the two directories to confirm that the mismatch in directory size is due strictly to the thumb files. But running WinMerge on a 500GB copy takes a long time.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, havre!

I believe you should consider testing your HDD as well with a diagnostics tool. For this I'd suggest to check your HDD manufacturer's website.
You should also test the speed of the drives.
Have you tried a cloning software, maybe? I'd also recommend to take a look at Acronis, it's pretty easy to use.
Is this a backup or are planning to duplicate your OS as well?

Keep me posted! I'd need some details to be more helpful!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[havre]

I've tried Acronis. It's too cumbersome, difficult to figure out how to use and doesn't appear to allow copying specific directories and/or allow copying without creating the equivalent of a bkp file. Also, it cost me some $50 and they wouldn't provide over the phone or online customer service.

I'm not looking to clone an entire drive. I'm looking to duplicate/copy entire directories to another drive. E.g. I put my first set of photos on a 500GB drive (it was the biggest they had then); now I have well over 2TB of photos. So the first step is to transfer the photos on the 500GB drive to a 2TB drive. I would have tried drag and drop, but I've had too many experiences where dragging and dropping stops in the middle of the process.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi again, havre!

In this case you'd be needing a backup software utility, not a cloning one.
Sorry for misguiding you on that, however you should keep in mind that the duplicating of software when using a backup software would be just the saved software files and the setups. You'd not be able to transfer the installed utility itself.
Check these articles for free backup software apps here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Backup-Free-Program-Restore-Scheduling,19055.html
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/298-4-backup-software-apps-free.html

Hope this helps you!
SuperSoph_WD