good backup/imaging software?

[Dan]

Looking to do a one-time hard-drive image for back-up. Not something that
continually monitors changes, but something I can run whenever I feel the
need to perform a backup to save to a DVD and load in the event of a system
crash. Preferably free (if anything is available).

I've bought a computer with three recovery CDs I can use to restore the
computer to the state in which I bought it, but I have made so many changes
since then, I would like to make a new recovery disc (DVD preferably). The
CDs I have load Norton Ghost in a DOS environment. From there, I can choose
to load from image to disc (I think is the option). Can I use this same app
to backup and create a new and more current image? Thanks in advance for any
help in this (I know very little about backup and recovery software).

 

[L.W. \(Bill\) Hughes III]

Hi Dan
I use: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=39 then
use my old drive as a backup.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.billhughes.com/jeep_bookmark.htm

 

[ju.c]

Maybe...

When you boot from the Ghost disc do you see an option to 'create a new image' or 'save to disc' or
similar? If so then the answer is yes. Try one. The only risk is that you'll burn a coaster.

The best imager for both novices and experts is 'Acronis True Image'.


ju.c

 

[Onsokumaru]

Looking to do a one-time hard-drive image for back-up. Not something that
continually monitors changes, but something I can run whenever I feel the
need to perform a backup to save to a DVD and load in the event of a
system
crash. Preferably free (if anything is available).

I've bought a computer with three recovery CDs I can use to restore the
computer to the state in which I bought it, but I have made so many
changes
since then, I would like to make a new recovery disc (DVD preferably).
The
CDs I have load Norton Ghost in a DOS environment. From there, I can
choose
to load from image to disc (I think is the option). Can I use this same
app
to backup and create a new and more current image? Thanks in advance for
any
help in this (I know very little about backup and recovery software).

BootItNG.

Don't install use maintainence mode.

 

[db.·.. >]

i've restored successfully
with driveimage xml.

might want to test
drive this method and
its free too.

also, you might want
to make a barts pe disk
and install the driveimage
xml program and its
pluggin.

 

[Colon Terminus]

Maybe...

When you boot from the Ghost disc do you see an option to 'create a new
image' or 'save to disc' or similar? If so then the answer is yes. Try
one. The only risk is that you'll burn a coaster.

The best imager for both novices and experts is 'Acronis True Image'.


ju.c

I would agree that Acronis is pretty good, as is Paragon. When used as the
OP intends however (booted from external media), both suffer the same
problem ... they're Linux based. If you have leading edge hardware they just
won't work for you. They won't recognize your hardware. If your hardware is
more than a year old then they become viable choices.

For my imaging needs I still use Ghost 2003 (I have newer versions of Ghost
but prefer 2003) in DOS mode with Networking. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[Navigator]

Looking to do a one-time hard-drive image for back-up. Not something that
continually monitors changes, but something I can run whenever I feel the
need to perform a backup to save to a DVD and load in the event of a system
crash. Preferably free (if anything is available).

I've bought a computer with three recovery CDs I can use to restore the
computer to the state in which I bought it, but I have made so many changes
since then, I would like to make a new recovery disc (DVD preferably). The
CDs I have load Norton Ghost in a DOS environment. From there, I can choose
to load from image to disc (I think is the option). Can I use this same app
to backup and create a new and more current image? Thanks in advance for any
help in this (I know very little about backup and recovery software).

Why ask here? What backup/imaging program you choose has nothing to
do with the OS.

Ask elsewhere

 

[Fred S *****]

Navigator,

You must be a complete idiot with a comment to "look elsewhere." It
amazes me that someone like you, instead of offering to help, just
prefers to display the height of arrogance.

This is the XP GENERAL newsgroup, topics of a general nature are dealt
with here by many knowledgeable people (of which you certainly are not a
member). These people often go above and beyond with their insight and
help and then there is, on occasion, a smart ass like you.

Perhaps, a backup of the "OS" is no big deal to you but to a novice
enlisting the aid and experience of the many wonderful folks here who
contribute with positive comments mixed in with appropriate caution can
make a huge difference in this person's case.

Why don't you just "answer elsewhere."

Fred

 

[Unknown]

Still playing stupid Navigator, alias Edrick, alias Grumpy? You're still
winning..

 

[Alec S.]

Navigator wrote (in

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:25:00 -0700, Dan

Why ask here? What backup/imaging program you choose has nothing to
do with the OS.
Ask elsewhere

Wow, making a lot of friends aren’t you Nav?


Sorry Dan, Navigator is just in a prepetual bad mood for some reason.


There are plenty of backup options, but few free ones—Driveimage XML being one.
I continually hear people endorse Acronis True Image, and I’ve also heard of
lots of people using several others including Ghost and Paragon.

Here’s a couple of useful pages on the topic including an incomplete list of
cloning software, and an even more incomplete comparison:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_cloning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_cloning_software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_disk_cloning_software

Personally, I still use PowerQuest DriveImage 2002 (6) with a batch-file wrapper
system I wrote to automate it. I have however been looking to move to something
else (read newer), at some point, and Acronis has been in my face every time I
research the topic.

 

[Louis Rost]

Navigator wrote (in

Wow, making a lot of friends aren’t you Nav?


Sorry Dan, Navigator is just in a prepetual bad mood for some reason.


There are plenty of backup options, but few free ones—Driveimage XML being one.
I continually hear people endorse Acronis True Image, and I’ve also heard of
lots of people using several others including Ghost and Paragon.

Here’s a couple of useful pages on the topic including an incomplete list of
cloning software, and an even more incomplete comparison:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_cloning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_cloning_software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_disk_cloning_software

Personally, I still use PowerQuest DriveImage 2002 (6) with a batch-file wrapper
system I wrote to automate it. I have however been looking to move to something
else (read newer), at some point, and Acronis has been in my face every time I
research the topic.

I've use Acronis TrueImage version 10 and 11 as well as Norton Ghost
version 10 and 12. If you plan to create multiple backups onto a
single directory and auto verify the backups, you will find Acronis
lacking and would be better served with Norton Ghost.

Lou

 

[Alec S.]

Louis Rost wrote (in

I've use Acronis TrueImage version 10 and 11 as well as Norton Ghost
version 10 and 12. If you plan to create multiple backups onto a
single directory and auto verify the backups, you will find Acronis
lacking and would be better served with Norton Ghost.

Well the latest versions of Ghost do seem to be based on DriveImage 7/V2I rather
than Ghost 8, so it can probably still read PQI files, which is good I suppose.

 

[Rich]

For my imaging needs I still use Ghost 2003 (I have newer versions of
Ghost but prefer 2003) in DOS mode with Networking. Hasn't failed me yet.

I thought I was the only one! Besides my computer, I have my wife's & two
children's computers on my home network. I created a DOS floppy for each
computer & rotate backups on the other three computers. Many time it saved
my butt when I screwed up my system with a well-intended tweak, added or
replaced a hard drive, became infected by a persistent malware program,
etc. I rotate backups & just insert the floppy for the computer with the
most recent backup & restore the partition(s) or drive I nuked & it's like
it never happened. If I was lazy & there was longer time elapsed since the
last backup, I may need to re-install a program I had installed since Or
re-apply an adjustment or change I had made in the system. I keep Ghost
Explorer installed in Windows to simply extract a file I can't seem to find
or deleted by mistake from one of the three older backups. It's quite handy.
A friend of mine game me his older version of Acronis(9 I think) when he
purchased the latest. One of these days I'll install it & try to learn it
since so many of you rave about it.

Rich