Back up software.

DarkStar · Oct 29, 2008, 14:57:57

To elaborate on the subject a little more, I'm interested in which software people use to do their system backups.
I have actually got round to putting in place a 'Disaster Recovery Plan'

that is a bit more comprehensive than my previous system of backing up to CD's/DVD's etc. I already have an external hard drive available, I just need some opinions on which software to use to back up my system on a day to day basis so that if I do have something like terminal hdd failure I can then reinstall my system to a new hard drive.
I am trialling StorageCraft's ShadowProtect Desktop at the moment and also Rollback RX professional FD-ISR. Any comments/advice gratefully received.

Ian

Inactive · Oct 29, 2008, 15:14:04

I use this, it is only free if you use a Maxtor or Seagate HD.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=9630.0

Rik · Oct 29, 2008, 15:16:51

Hi Ian

I image my drives periodically with Acronis True Image.

Daily, I back up all data and important settings to two external USB HDs, and one internal HD, with a subset of the most critical data being written out to a DVD-R. For this, I use a combination of three programs, MS' Synctoy, SyncBack and Karen's Replicator.

Twice weekly, I write the entire contents of my data and apps drives to two other USB HDs, one on Wednesdays, one of Saturdays. These are stored off site, and also contain copies of the drive images.

I am, of course, a little paranoid about my data, but I've not lost a file since 1989.

Glenn · Oct 29, 2008, 16:22:46

I use Windows Home Server, http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=9530.0 backups run every day at a configured time, mines 9 pm onwards, it only takes a few minutes once the initial backup has been taken.

Steve · Oct 29, 2008, 16:37:35

In addition to what Glen said.The backups can be protected against drive failure by duplication and/or database backup. Shared data on the server is routinely backed up to an additional hard drive.

Prior to this I used to wander round every machine and image with Acronis TI.v10

Noreen · Oct 29, 2008, 17:54:03

I use Acronis True Image v10 (not the latest version) to make a complete drive backup once a month, I've had to use it and know that it works.

I also make a manual System Restore Point about every other day. Stuff that is really important to me is also backed-up onto flash drives and CDs.

Sebby · Oct 29, 2008, 18:19:37

I use Memeo AutoBackup, which backs up my selected areas on my computer "on the fly".

MoHux · Oct 29, 2008, 19:13:08

Quote from: Inactive on Oct 29, 2008, 15:14:04
I use this, it is only free if you use a Maxtor or Seagate HD.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=9630.0

Thanks for the link In'! I have 2x160GB internal HDDs, one is a Maxtor, the other a Seagate.

Mo

DarkStar · Oct 31, 2008, 11:00:46

Apologies for not replying sooner, the cold weather got to me, feeling a bit better this morning.
I like the look of the new Acronis TI 2009, has everything I want, but looking at their official forums it seems that there are more problems with that than the last release TI11. True Image 10 seems to be last reliable / stable version so I'm having a look at Paragon and ShadowProtect. A bit pricey but I always think you get what you pay for, something like IDNet.

Anyway, I'll keep you updated and come back to you helpful people if I get any problems

Ian

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 11:13:16

The link that I posted is a free version based on Acronis 10, arguably the best version.

DarkStar · Oct 31, 2008, 15:25:16

Thanks for that jog In, I just checked and I do have a Maxtor HD so am in the process of downloading it now. Big file though, over 100MB

good job it's the last day of the month and I have a bit of spare usage left. Will have a look at it later.

Ian

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 15:30:49

You are welcome, it is brilliant and free, can't get better than that.

Simon · Oct 31, 2008, 15:47:33

Quote from: Inactive on Oct 31, 2008, 15:30:49
You are welcome, it is brilliant and free, can't get better than that.

It could - they could pay you to use it.

Sorry, I have to make these comments in Rik's absence.

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 15:49:36

Same response that Rik would get..

Sebby · Oct 31, 2008, 16:01:14

Quote from: Simon on Oct 31, 2008, 15:47:33
It could - they could pay you to use it.

Sorry, I have to make these comments in Rik's absence.

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 16:16:20

Don't encourage him Seb..

Glenn · Oct 31, 2008, 16:20:15

I didn't think he needed any

Simon · Oct 31, 2008, 16:26:13

sparky · Oct 31, 2008, 16:48:32

Hi all, I've just found this post.........

I now have a new PC running Vista and yep, I have a Seagate drive. All I want to do is burn an image of the system disk across what will I guess be multiple DVD's so that in event of a disk failure I can get the PC back to as I have set it up in minimal time. I assume that I would also have to create a boot disk as well.

I was looking at buying TI 2009 but if this is free I guess my questions are, 1) does it work OK with Vista, I know that it says that it does, but has anyone used it? 2) can I burn an image of the C:/ drive direct to DVD and 3) can I then simply create a boot disk that will re-install that image directly from the burnt DVD?

Thanks, Keith.

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 16:57:03

Hi Keith,

Not tried it with Vista, nor DVD/s.

Sorry.

Why not just give it a go, it's free, if it doesn't do as required, just dump it.

It works fine with XP and an external HD.

sparky · Oct 31, 2008, 17:03:14

Well, I've been using W98 for what seems like a lifetime, so it's a bit like being a nervous new user again while still trying to learn all about Vista.

I know I'm not supposed to be able to, but I don't want to trash it !! Not without that backup !!

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 04:43:49

Quote from: Simon on Oct 31, 2008, 15:47:33
It could - they could pay you to use it.

Sorry, I have to make these comments in Rik's absence.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 04:45:57

Quote from: sparky on Oct 31, 2008, 16:48:32
I now have a new PC running Vista and yep, I have a Seagate drive. All I want to do is burn an image of the system disk across what will I guess be multiple DVD's so that in event of a disk failure I can get the PC back to as I have set it up in minimal time. I assume that I would also have to create a boot disk as well.

I was looking at buying TI 2009 but if this is free I guess my questions are, 1) does it work OK with Vista, I know that it says that it does, but has anyone used it? 2) can I burn an image of the C:/ drive direct to DVD and 3) can I then simply create a boot disk that will re-install that image directly from the burnt DVD?

Hi Keith

It will do what you want, but create the DVD images on the HD and then burn them. However, as In suggests, a much better route is to use an external, USB, HD.

Steve · Nov 01, 2008, 09:41:22

In addition or perhaps first off to save time and trouble, make sure the the Acronis boot disk actually works on your machine. The boot disk does not make any changes to your hard drive until you ask it to restore a backup from the library. Backup is the easy part, there is no point using the software if you can't restore the image.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 09:46:38

Good thinking Steve..

Steve · Nov 01, 2008, 09:59:09

Trouble is In. How many of us definitely including myself find out we can't restore the bloody image because I was too lazy initially to turn off the machine,change the disk priority in bios to the correct CD\DVD drive and wait for it to boot up.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 10:01:14

True...

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 11:03:30

A lesson painfully learnt.

sparky · Nov 02, 2008, 10:47:47

Ok then.

Thanks for the advice. I'll download it and give it a try.

Cheers, Keith.

DarkStar · Nov 07, 2008, 12:04:38

A bit more brain picking

I have a couple of programs that I am trying out on 30 day trials. In the meantime I have inherited an extra 500 GB USB external hard drive that has already been formatted to NTFS but has some unwanted cr*p left on it. Am I correct in thinking that I need to reformat this drive to clean it up so there is nothing on when I want to use it? Sorry if I seem a bit ignorant but have never actually done this before

and want to make sure I get it right first time.

Ian

Rik · Nov 07, 2008, 12:10:02

You could just delete whatever is on it, Ian, but I'd re-format for added security (don't use the quick format option).

DarkStar · Nov 07, 2008, 13:14:45

One more noob question Rik.
How do I delete what is on the disc without re-formating it

Rik · Nov 07, 2008, 14:44:39

It depends on the files in the folders, Ian. Initially, try selecting the folders and deleting them. If any of the files are read-only, though, you'd have to go into the folder and delete the files, then return to the root and delete the folders.

DarkStar · Nov 07, 2008, 15:32:13

Thanks Rik,
I think I'll set it to reformat while I have my tea, play safe

Ian

Rik · Nov 07, 2008, 15:33:48

That's what I tend to do, it protects against most things.

sparky · Nov 11, 2008, 08:18:52

Well it works!

Checked the boot disk and that works fine. Imaged my entire hard drive and ended up with 4 x .tib files to burn on to dvd. I couldn't get the DiskWizzard software to burn directly to DVD it kept failing with errors and it seems to take a bloody age, so I abandoned that and just created them on the HDD and burnt them to DVD with Nero.

BTW DiskWizzard seems to be V11, so does that mean its the same as True Image V11 ??

Anyways, great stuff for free............................cheers all....Keith.

Inactive · Nov 11, 2008, 08:51:17

Great news Keith, glad it worked OK for you.

sparky · Jan 20, 2009, 08:33:29

As an appendum (is that the correct word?) to this topic, there seems to be an opinion that Acronis TI version 10 was the best one, well if anyone still wants it, there is a free copy of Acronis True Image 10 Personal on the cover CD of this months PCW Mag. (March 2009).

Rik · Jan 20, 2009, 10:16:46

Nice tip, Sparky.

(I'd agree on v10, btw

)

Noreen · Jan 20, 2009, 12:18:37

Me too, I've used it in an emergency and it works.

Steve · Jan 20, 2009, 18:05:16

Quote from: sparky on Jan 20, 2009, 08:33:29
As an appendum (is that the correct word?) to this topic, there seems to be an opinion that Acronis TI version 10 was the best one, well if anyone still wants it, there is a free copy of Acronis True Image 10 Personal on the cover CD of this months PCW Mag. (March 2009).

Did David ever buy a version I wonder?

Rik · Jan 20, 2009, 18:05:56

I don't know, Steve, we never 'closed' that discussion.

Steve · Jan 20, 2009, 18:10:23

Well if not,that should be a cheap copy I don't know whether you get a "working" version though.

Noreen · Jan 22, 2009, 17:42:27

I bought a copy of that PCW just out of curiosity. The disc on the magazine is called "Acronis True Image 10 Personal" and the copy that I use is called "Acronis True Image 10 Home" and judging by the illustrations in the magazine it doesn't look like my program. I haven't used it of course but reading about it, it seems like a "lite" version.

Rik · Jan 22, 2009, 17:50:09

Does it note any limitations, Noreen?

Noreen · Jan 22, 2009, 18:01:20

I haven't run the disc, Rik. The magazine says that it's a full working version though.

Rik · Jan 22, 2009, 18:03:42

I wonder what the differences are, then. We need you to find a spare machine to install it on.

Noreen · Jan 22, 2009, 18:23:30

The instruction illustrations in the magazine look much more text-based than the graphical images in my program.

Rik · Jan 22, 2009, 18:24:18

Curious, I can't see why they'd want to write an alternative interface.

Noreen · Jan 23, 2009, 18:29:45

Perhaps I was wrong about that, Rik, the illustrations are very small and practically unreadable. However on re-reading the magazine instructions it only seems to mention complete on-demand partition backups, I didn't see anything about automatic incremental backups etc. I did put the DVD in my laptop in case there was further info on it but it made a noise like a plane taking off and I quickly removed it (other DVDs don't do that).

Rik · Jan 23, 2009, 18:42:16

Probably a warped DVD.

Having it limited to full backups only would make sense, people wanting the extra facilities could go for an upgrade.