Backup software

[Colin Wilson]

Using a Maxtor "OneTouch" 160Gb drive, what's the best utility to use
for a complete system backup? Something like Retrospect, which came with
the drive, or just the Windows XP Pro backup utility? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?

I'm not too fussed about the "one-touch" bit, unless it can also be
programmed to start Windows Backup.

 

[Guest]

If you are blessed with having a removable drive, then it would be best to
use another application that actually takes the full image of your HDD.

This way, you'll never again need to do a reinstall, repair install etc of XP.

Get hold of Ghost [current release] which has a bootable CD, complete with
USB2 drivers: then boot off the Ghost CD and 'backup' C Drive to USB drive.

It will then allow you to use Ghost again to 'restore' the disk image onto
your C Drive or its replacement, should it fail.

This is far better than the 'file' or 'folder' level of backup with XP Backup.

XP Backup will not provide an image of the full hard drive, so if you need
to replace your C Drive, it will require you to install XP, then each and
every application or utility and then restore the files and folders.

Ghost would take about 1/2 hour to resore to full working state: XP install
and the rest could take 10 - 12 hours!

Which one would you prefer...your choice.

 

[GTS]

I concur liking disk imaging software (I use Disk Image), but you're
statement re. XP backup (ntbackup.exe) is incorrect. A full backup with
system state will restore the complete system including programs. As you
note, it will be necessary to first reinstall XP to run the restore. I
believe that is true for Retrospect as well.
--

If you are blessed with having a removable drive, then it would be best to
use another application that actually takes the full image of your HDD.

This way, you'll never again need to do a reinstall, repair install etc of
XP.

Get hold of Ghost [current release] which has a bootable CD, complete with
USB2 drivers: then boot off the Ghost CD and 'backup' C Drive to USB
drive.

It will then allow you to use Ghost again to 'restore' the disk image onto
your C Drive or its replacement, should it fail.

This is far better than the 'file' or 'folder' level of backup with XP
Backup.

XP Backup will not provide an image of the full hard drive, so if you need
to replace your C Drive, it will require you to install XP, then each and
every application or utility and then restore the files and folders.

Ghost would take about 1/2 hour to resore to full working state: XP
install
and the rest could take 10 - 12 hours!

Which one would you prefer...your choice.

Using a Maxtor "OneTouch" 160Gb drive, what's the best utility to use
for a complete system backup? Something like Retrospect, which came with
the drive, or just the Windows XP Pro backup utility? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?

I'm not too fussed about the "one-touch" bit, unless it can also be
programmed to start Windows Backup.

 

[Dave]

I use Norton Ghost 2003 to backup C: to a removable drive, takes less than
half-an-hour. When restoring, you can tell it to overwrite Windows, but best
verify your images otherwise you can be in real trouble - I've had corrupt
images and had to go to previous images!! You also need to remember that
this method overwrites the whole of the drive / partition, so all your
emails will be "rolled back" as well - if you keep them on the same drive.

I keep software and data on separate internal hard drives (C: and D and
back both up to the removable drive. The Data Drive is backed up using Genie
Backup Manager Pro, which like all jobs can be run automatically by System
Scheduler. I find Genie easier to use than the built in Veritas product.

Cheers

Dave