What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4 different
Windows computers in my family, located in three different states? I'd like
to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop units, and have
the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update changed files) of
these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could install the
software when the children bring their laptops home from college, then send
them on their way with the installed SW and an external hard drive each.
Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.

I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will not
purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid opinions
welcome. Thanks. Joe

Right here:
Acronis® True Image Home 2009
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/

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"Joe Starin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:vb_Sk.10438$(E-Mail Removed)...
> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop
> units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update
> changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could
> install the software when the children bring their laptops home from
> college, then send them on their way with the installed SW and an external
> hard drive each. Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>
> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>
>

Joe Starin wrote:
> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4 different
> Windows computers in my family, located in three different states? I'd like
> to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop units, and have
> the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update changed files) of
> these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could install the
> software when the children bring their laptops home from college, then send
> them on their way with the installed SW and an external hard drive each.
> Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>
> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will not
> purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid opinions
> welcome. Thanks. Joe
>
>
I like Acronis. However its the only imaging program I've use, yet it
does everything I want. Backup, clone, image, repartition on restore,
restore files, restore image. Before this I used 'Backup My PC', and
older copy that was just file copies. I've always just re-installed
software/apps. I like ATI now, its so simple.

I also use robocopy (a robust command line copy) for a daily backup of
mail and a few minor settings to a flash drive, then weekly or bi-weekly
the ATI backup to external HD.

You know, ATI has a 15 day free trial and I've heard the newer version
12 is a bit nicer looking, I still use version 9 (got it for 9.95). I'm
not sure about the multi-system licensing however.

"Joe Starin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:vb_Sk.10438$(E-Mail Removed)...
> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop
> units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update
> changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could
> install the software when the children bring their laptops home from
> college, then send them on their way with the installed SW and an external
> hard drive each. Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>
> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>



I have been creating system images for well over 10 years and in that time
have tried most of the popular apps. Acronis TrueImage is my choice.

--

Xandros

Go to www.cmsproducts.com and check them out. They may have what you want.
"Xandros" <arron.neus*remove*@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Joe Starin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:vb_Sk.10438$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
>> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
>> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four
>> PC/laptop units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive
>> (and update changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard
>> drive. I could install the software when the children bring their laptops
>> home from college, then send them on their way with the installed SW and
>> an external hard drive each. Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>>
>> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
>> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
>> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
>> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
>> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>>
>
>
>
> I have been creating system images for well over 10 years and in that time
> have tried most of the popular apps. Acronis TrueImage is my choice.
>
> --
>
> Xandros
>
>
>

Okay, so the score so far is TrueImage "3" and everything else "0." And at
least one of you says ATI is simple to use. I'm somewhat PC savvy, but my
college kids need fast and simple. Thanks very much for the quick and
detailed replies. (Boy, that ATI version 9 for $9.95 sure look sweet
<grin>). Joe

"Xandros" <arron.neus*remove*@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Joe Starin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:vb_Sk.10438$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
>> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
>> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four
>> PC/laptop units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive
>> (and update changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard
>> drive. I could install the software when the children bring their laptops
>> home from college, then send them on their way with the installed SW and
>> an external hard drive each. Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>>
>> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
>> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
>> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
>> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
>> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>>
>
>
>
> I have been creating system images for well over 10 years and in that time
> have tried most of the popular apps. Acronis TrueImage is my choice.
>
> --
>
> Xandros
>
>
>

Joe Starin wrote:
> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4 different
> Windows computers in my family, located in three different states? I'd like
> to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop units, and have
> the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update changed files) of
> these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could install the
> software when the children bring their laptops home from college, then send
> them on their way with the installed SW and an external hard drive each.
> Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>
> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will not
> purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid opinions
> welcome. Thanks. Joe
>
>

Some of the external hd's come with backup software, my daughter's
Maxtor drive did, both image and file backup. Sufficient for normal use,
the file backup will schedule updates.
For stand alone imaging, Acronis is popular.
Dave Cohen

Dave Cohen

Joe,

I'm using Norton's Ghost (an older version) without any problems.
So I'm at this point the only vote for Ghost.

I tried to contact Acronis for information about their product but they
are extremely slow to reply and not very helpful, so check out their
Tech support before you buy.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"Joe Starin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:vb_Sk.10438$(E-Mail Removed)...
> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four PC/laptop
> units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive (and update
> changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard drive. I could
> install the software when the children bring their laptops home from
> college, then send them on their way with the installed SW and an external
> hard drive each. Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>
> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>
>

>Okay, so the score so far is TrueImage "3" and everything else "0." And at
>least one of you says ATI is simple to use. I'm somewhat PC savvy, but my
>college kids need fast and simple. Thanks very much for the quick and
>detailed replies. (Boy, that ATI version 9 for $9.95 sure look sweet
><grin>). Joe

It's simple and does the job. The price can't be beat for commercial
software.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

True, Dave. My Western Digital extermal hard drive came with Memeo software
that I must now buy since the 30-day trial ran out. I'm not crazy about
it -- would rather put the money into something else. Joe

iiout it, so l;m not crazy that I dodnt much care for, so I, searching for
soomething betterMy
"Dave Cohen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:gfhvko$gsj$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Joe Starin wrote:
>> What software would you recommend for cloning the hard drives of 4
>> different Windows computers in my family, located in three different
>> states? I'd like to purchase one program, install it on all four
>> PC/laptop units, and have the software periodically clone the hard drive
>> (and update changed files) of these four machines onto an external hard
>> drive. I could install the software when the children bring their laptops
>> home from college, then send
>> them on their way with the installed SW and an external hard drive each.
>> Some are FAT-32; some are NTFS.
>>
>> I know this topic has been covered before. But I've read all the Acronis,
>> Symantec, etc. reviews and simply get more confused. My WD external hard
>> drive came with Memeo software, but I find it difficult to use and will
>> not purchase it now that the 30-day free trial has expired. Any solid
>> opinions welcome. Thanks. Joe
>>
>>
>
> Some of the external hd's come with backup software, my daughter's Maxtor
> drive did, both image and file backup. Sufficient for normal use, the file
> backup will schedule updates.
> For stand alone imaging, Acronis is popular.
> Dave Cohen
>
> Dave Cohen