Disk imaging? Norton Ghost 15 or Acronis TrueImageHome2010? Accura

[Brian V]

Hi. I have recently installed my own copy of Windows XP. I: installed my
malware protections, then did the updates.................and
more...........and more updates, etc, I installed my programs, I set-up some
or most of my programs preferences and settings the way I wanted them, I made
a recovery point, disk defragmented and error checked my systems.

This was on my desktop and laptop (I just used the boot-disk I made with
Vista for laptop).

I respect the techs and everyone who deals with this kind of thing. I
understand why they want $80-$160+ for these kinds of installations.

I saved some money and since I am poor right now I had to do these installs.
I also wanted to try to install myself to see what's going on/to learn.

This took me 2 days.

I never want to do this again unless I have to. I want to minimize this
situation from happening again.

I think a disk image can help me. Or is at least another step.

So: Does anyone recommend any disk imagins software? I have found Norton
Ghost 15 and Acronis True Image Home 2010.

How accurate are these programs? How reliable? I have gotten varing
responsed from techs, sales people and hardcore or experienced computer
users. They all recommended one or the other. Some said Norton 8-13 sucked
and 14 is where it's at. Others said Acronis fails every 3rd image, go with
Norton.

My understanding is that these programs copy EXACTLY everything on your
hard-drive(s) and exports it to dvd, usb external drives, another hard-drive
or ESATA external drives. So, you eventually use it like a boot-disk and a
replica is installed on your system. They can do a whole image or image piece
by piece once the base image is copied/created.

Do I need to know anything else imaging software does or wants me to do? Do
these programs eat cookies? I have a couple in my cupboard and may eat some
later.

If I change hard-ware, or add any or try to use my image on a different
computer I may buy: Will the image load? Is it propriatairy to what is sees
and images in the first place?

Eg: If I add things that are not affecting the original hard-drive (like add
another hard-drive or a blue-ray or dvd-rom player) before an image boot:
Would the image not take hold since the system looks different? What about a
processor or motherboard change? A different hard-drive?

Here goes........

Thank you in advance.

 

[Brian V]

And: If I were to just Open up a drive or each drive or my computer and Copy
a drive: Isn't this what imaging is?

Could I copy my computer and paste it onto a fresh copy of windows to avoid
the imaging or reloading?

 

[David Webb]

Your questions are off-topic since Windows XP does not come with either of the
applications cited.

Since you appear to have done much research and received many comments from
various sources, it may be time for you to download a trial version of the
software in question.

My preference is for the Acronis product. You can download a trial version from
this link:

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

There is also a link on the above page where you can download the full User
Guide in PDF format. This manual will answer all your questions about imaging
and cloning, both in general and specifically.

Regarding the backup failures that others have alluded to, you have to ask them
if they specified a verification be performed as part of the backup. Some bypass
this safeguard because it almost doubles the backup time.

Another note of warning, Acornis is presently offering a free Plus Pack Add-on.
IMO, this add-on is not ready for prime time and I suggest that it not be
installed.

Google is your friend...

 

[Alan Biddle]

I have used Acronis in various versions on XP and Vista machines for
3-4 years. Not wanting to even think about a reinstall of the OS, I
always use the image backup. You can still pull out individual files
if needed. I have recovered from HD failures, bad software installs,
operator error, even in one case an unrelated Acronis feature which I
later found does not work with the latest Vista service pack. After
recovering, in one case with the recovery CD since Vista would no
longer boot, everything was back as before. Of course, this does
require some discipline on your part to keep the backups current,
especially if doing something problematic. Also, reading the
documentation BEFORE disaster strikes is recommended for peace of
mine.

If you go to the Acronis True Image support forum, you will find as
another poster commented that some of the auxiliary programs can be a
bit flaky. Likewise, the provisions for automatic backups can run
into problems if you have other programs which do automatic shutdowns.
However, the core program is solid, at least after they issue the
first bug fix with a new version. Norton is also well regarded.
Acronis has a trial version, Norton may. I recommend you give one or
the other a try to see which matches the way you work.

 

[Daave]

And: If I were to just Open up a drive or each drive or my computer
and Copy a drive: Isn't this what imaging is?

You are confusing imaging with cloning.

If you wish to make an exact, swappable replica of the hard drive, that
would be a clone.

If you create an image of a hard drive (or partition), this is the
essence of everything that is on the drive converted to a giant file (or
it could be a series of files). You may store this file (or these files)
anywhere you wish: on a series of CDs or DVDs or on an external hard
drive.

If you need to recover from a disaster...

In the case of a cloned hard drive, you may swap the hard drives. (Or if
it is an internal hard drive or an external eSATA drive, you may not
even need to physically swap everything if your BIOS is configured in
such a way that you can boot off it.)

In the case of an imaged drive, boot off the rescue CD and run the
program to restore the image to the hard drive.

Could I copy my computer and paste it onto a fresh copy of windows to
avoid the imaging or reloading?

I don't follow.

 

[LD55ZRA]

I use Norton Ghost 15 and I have used most versions of Norton Ghost
since its incarnation so for me Norton Ghost is simply the best. With
Norton Ghost 15, you can create Cold image of your system without
installing NG on your system. Very handy especially if you want to
clone your brand new DELL or HP system before doing absolutely nothing
on the system.

hth

 

[LD55ZRA]

You are confusing imaging with cloning.

Oh no he is not confusing! It is the software makers who are confusing
these terms. I use these terms interchangeably to mean the same thing.
Some people use the term clone to mean transferring the OS on to a new
HD. This is also possible with image of a HD if you know how. So the
terms are identical for practical purposes.

hth

 

[Unknown]

They are NOT the same thing. You being a Londoner (English) don't understand
the english language.

 

[choro]

They are NOT the same thing. You being a Londoner (English) don't
understand the english language.

Well, one is cloning in 2 steps and the other in 1 step. It is a bit like
whether the glass is half full or half empty, isn't it? Which reminds me of
the saying, "All roads lead to Rome!" but obviously the direct road to Rome
is preferable to the circuitious one.

 

[Brian V]

Thank you for all the replys.