Backup HD Image to USB Stick

[R. Giskard Reventlov]

Running Windows Vista Home Premium on a notebook without a DVD/CD drive.

What (free!) software would back up an image of the HD to a USB stick so
that if I have a problem whilst away from home I could boot from the USB
stick and reload the image?

Would Acronis True Image do this? Are there any others better?

 

[Richard Urban]

Acronis products are not free. You would need a large capacity memory stick
(likely 8 gig) to hold an image backup.

Acronis True Image HOME is a great tool. Buy it and you will not be
disappointed.

 

[Michael Walraven]

There are a couple of items to consider. (Acronis true image 10, not free
though)
Size: My laptop with 60 GB drive, 20 GB used, requires 17 GB for its image.
Location: yes Acronis will put the image on a USB drive.
Bootability: it will be dependent on if your laptop can boot from a usb
device, you will have to consult with your manual for that info.
Acronis will create a bootable emergency recovery media on USB drives (48
MB).


Acronis will also create a protected partition on your drive from which you
can recover to the conditions at which it was made (hit F11 while booting).
That would provide a lot of protection from software screwups while on the
road to to make sure bad stuff doesn't get loaded etc.



Michael

 

[R. Giskard Reventlov]

There are a couple of items to consider. (Acronis true image 10, not free
though)
Size: My laptop with 60 GB drive, 20 GB used, requires 17 GB for its
image.
Location: yes Acronis will put the image on a USB drive.
Bootability: it will be dependent on if your laptop can boot from a usb
device, you will have to consult with your manual for that info.
Acronis will create a bootable emergency recovery media on USB drives (48
MB).


Acronis will also create a protected partition on your drive from which
you can recover to the conditions at which it was made (hit F11 while
booting). That would provide a lot of protection from software screwups
while on the road to to make sure bad stuff doesn't get loaded etc.



Michael

Ok - many thanx - I have ordered a copy!

 

[V Green]

NEVER trust a USB stick for something critical
like this. They can and do die for no particular
reason. One time they work fine, next time you plug it in,
it can't be read at all. Just dead.

Far better to use one of the 2.5" USB hard disk drives
made by a reputable manufacturer.