Keeping Restore Points

[Danno]

I'm using Vista Home Basic/Premium. Currently the system decides when it
wants to make restore points. That's okay with me because it remembers to
do so before I make system changes, etc.

I like to create manual restore points. I do this when making major changes
I want to be able to roll back to (like installing SP1) and I want to keep
these restore points
for an indefinite time. However, the system puts these restore points in
the same queue as the system defined restore points.

Now for the question: Is there a way to make a restore point "permanent?"
I do want the system to overwrite my restore points until *I* decide that
they are no longer needed.


Many thanks,
Dan Hacker

 

[SG]

Hi Dan,

Simply answer, no.
What you need is something like Acronis True Image 11 Home.
Acronis True Image 11 Home provides the maximum flexibility to ensure you
are adequately protected and can recover from unforeseen events such as
viruses, unstable software downloads, and hard drive failures. Create an
exact copy of your PC for a full backup or backup only your important data -
your choice.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Dan,

Sorry, but no that is not possible. The system restore routine does not
distinguish between manually and automatically created restore points. As you
are probably aware, there is a finite amount of space available on your drive
for these. Unfortunately, there is no way for you to make the choice as to
whether or not you can keep a restore point. As new points are created, the
amount of space reserved for them decreases until there is no space left. At
this point, the oldest point(s), whether or not they were created
automatically or manually, are automatically deleted in order to make room
for the new point. This happens whether or not the new point is a manually or
automatically created one.
Dwarf

 

[John Barnett MVP]

System Restore will always delete restore points; there is no way to keep
them permanently - just think of the amount of space they would need. The
best option is to actually 'image' your hard drive using something like
Acronis True Image. You can image the drive to either a set of DVDs (I
prefer rewritable) or allow Acronis to create a 'secure zone' on your hard
drive. So long as you have enough disk space you can create 'incremental
backups whenever you update your system. I personally keep three sets of
backups - one on a secure zone on my main hard drive, one on a removable
hard drive and one on a set of DVDs.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Danno]

Thanks to you, SG, and Dwarf for replying.

I might have known that Windows wouldn't let me do what I wanted. Looks
like I'll finally have to look into Acronis, even though I try to find
freeware programs to do the job. But while lurking in the NG's, I've not
heard of any freeware that comes close to doing what Acronis does.


Thanks anyway,
Dan Hacker

 

[SG]

Hi Danno,

Have a look at this FREE software. I downloaded it some time back and forgot
about until you mentioned a FREE backup software. I haven't tested it enough
to tell you one way or the other how good it is, but read over the web site
as it looks promising.
http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

 

[Danno]

I just checked out DriveImage and Acronis, thanks for the tip. While I am
frugal, there are some things it doesn't make sense to skip on. At $50
bucks the capabilities and reliability of Acronis seem to be a "best buy."

Thanks,
Dan Hacker

 

[SG]

Yes Acronis is a great buy and it's what I use, but was just suggesting an
alternative to you as you were possibly looking for something comparable but
perhaps free.

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You can sometimes get (well you can here in the UK) older versions of
imaging software given away free with computer magazines, but you could wait
ages before anything decent came along. Frankly I've tested many imaging
applications including Norton Ghost, Paragon Drive Copy, Casper, etc and I
still come back to Acronis.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Danno]

Please don't get me wrong. I was very grateful for your post. If I can
find freeware that's comparable to commercial ware, I love it. In THIS
particular case the commercial ware seemed to outshine the FW. But I
appreciate what you were trying to do.


Thanks again,
Dan Hacker

 

[Danno]

As I was saying to SG, this is one of the few programs that everyone seems
to agree on as being the best. And since this is such a critical
application, it seems only prudent to go with most recommended.

As always, I am very grateful for any and all help I receive in these NGs.
Not long ago, I was able to answer a question that someone
posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks,
Dan Hacker

 

[SG]

Didn't take you wrong at all my friend. As I said, I use Acronis myself and
it seems to be the number one choice by far. Don't blame you a bit by
choosing to go with it and I think you will be pleased.

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

 

[John Barnett MVP]

That's what the NGs are all about, helping others. You do get the odd few
who believe the NGs are their own private platform for berating others or
extolling the rights and wrongs of this or that but, in the main, most
user's come to these NGs to either ask a question or pass on their own
knowledge.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..