Best HD->DVD backup program?

[John123]

Hi,

Which is the best program to use for backing up a HD->DVD-RW discs?

Specifically, I'd like the program to be able to:

1. Make an image backup copy of my HD.
2. Make incremental image backups, where only data that has changed since
last backup needs to be stored on the next backup occasion.
3. Handle the case where I decide to buy a new HD with another size. For
example, let's say my HD today is 120GB, and I make an image backup copy of
that one onto DVD-RW discs. Then I buy a new HD which is 200GB. Then the
backup program shall still be able to use the DVD-RW discs containg the HD
image of the 120GB HD, and restore the contents onto the 200GB HD. Of course
there should be some extra free space on the 200GB, but all the data from
the 120GB HD should be there.

Is there any program you can recommend that fulfills my needs?

 

[Rod Speed]

Which is the best program to use for backing up a HD->DVD-RW discs?

There's hardly ever just one 'best'

Specifically, I'd like the program to be able to:

1. Make an image backup copy of my HD.

Almost all of them will do that.

You sure you actually want an image backup tho ?
Almost all of the true backup programs will
do this but not actually do an image backup.

2. Make incremental image backups, where only
data that has changed since last backup needs
to be stored on the next backup occasion.

This requirement eliminates most imaging programs.

True Image and V2i Protector will do this, but do require XP or close.

3. Handle the case where I decide to buy a new HD with another
size. For example, let's say my HD today is 120GB, and I make
an image backup copy of that one onto DVD-RW discs. Then I
buy a new HD which is 200GB. Then the backup program shall
still be able to use the DVD-RW discs containg the HD image of
the 120GB HD, and restore the contents onto the 200GB HD.

All the imaging programs will do that.

It isnt necessarily the best way to do that operation
tho. Its rather quicker to clone the original drive onto
the new one and not use the DVD at all.

 

[John123]

There's hardly ever just one 'best'



Almost all of them will do that.

You sure you actually want an image backup tho ?
Almost all of the true backup programs will
do this but not actually do an image backup.


This requirement eliminates most imaging programs.

True Image and V2i Protector will do this, but do require XP or close.

If I decide to skip this requirement (i.e. requirement 2), are there other
backup programs that are better than True Image and V2i Protector.

All the imaging programs will do that.

It isnt necessarily the best way to do that operation
tho. Its rather quicker to clone the original drive onto
the new one and not use the DVD at all.

Well I only plan to go via the DVD:s in case my 120GB drive has crashed.
Otherwise I can clone the 120GB drive to the new drive directly as you
suggested.

 

[Rod Speed]

If I decide to skip this requirement (i.e. requirement 2), are there other
backup programs that are better than True Image and V2i Protector.

Depends on how you define better. Certainly Ghost 2003
as part of SystemWorks Pro 2003 off ebay is about as
cheap as you can get and it is a quite viable imaging
program which does support USB external drives etc.

 

[Neil Maxwell]

This requirement eliminates most imaging programs.

True Image and V2i Protector will do this, but do require XP or close.

True Image 7 will work on Win98 to XP. I've only tried it on 1 98se
system, though.


Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer

 

[Neil Maxwell]

1. Make an image backup copy of my HD.
2. Make incremental image backups, where only data that has changed since
last backup needs to be stored on the next backup occasion.
3. Handle the case where I decide to buy a new HD with another size. For
example, let's say my HD today is 120GB, and I make an image backup copy of
that one onto DVD-RW discs. Then I buy a new HD which is 200GB. Then the
backup program shall still be able to use the DVD-RW discs containg the HD
image of the 120GB HD, and restore the contents onto the 200GB HD. Of course
there should be some extra free space on the 200GB, but all the data from
the 120GB HD should be there.

True Image 7 will do all of this. Writing directly to DVDs requires
that you have packet-writing software installed, but you can make your
image in DVD sized chunks and copy them to DVD. I've found TI7 to be
the easiest to use by far for both backup and restore in a SOHO
environment.

Considering the hassle of backing up anything that would require more
than a few DVDs, I'd recommend a 2 step method using a USB2 external
HD. You can set this up for about $200 if you've already got the DVD
burner (120G USB for $150 or less, TI7 for $50).

Get a USB2 HD. Set up TI7 to make a full backup to it weekly and
incremental backups daily (or whatever floats your boat). This can be
done automatically in the background. This will protect against HD
failure, but not theft, fire, aggressive viruses and such. One handy
thing is that you can mount the images and browse them if you need.
You could also alternate the backup file names every week to have as
many archive versions as you have space for.

To protect against more, have TI7 break the backups into DVD size
chunks, and write them to DVD whenever you want. These can be stored
offsite, in a safe, hidden in the garage, whatever. Another
alternative is a second USB drive or removable drives - rotate them,
or update the second one once a week and stick it in a safe.


Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer