How2 image Vista Premium?

C

Crash and Burn

Apparently Premium does not support full system backup to make an image.
When I boot into Vista I get warned with "Hard disk failure is imminent.
Please backup ..." So while I can still boot into a useable system I want to
image the whole machine currently 152Gb. Any recommendations for free
software that will be reliable and second choice I would make a purchase of
Acronis which I have a license on XP that I could probably upgrade to run on
my Vista machine?
 
W

Walt Thatcher

Crash and Burn said:
Apparently Premium does not support full system backup to make an image.
When I boot into Vista I get warned with "Hard disk failure is imminent.
Please backup ..." So while I can still boot into a useable system I want to
image the whole machine currently 152Gb. Any recommendations for free
software that will be reliable and second choice I would make a purchase of
Acronis which I have a license on XP that I could probably upgrade to run on
my Vista machine?

What the heck do you mean by "second choice I would make a purchase of
Acronis which I have a license on XP that I could probably upgrade to
run on my Vista machine ?"?

It makes absolutely NO sense.
 
S

Synapse Syndrome

Walt Thatcher said:
What the heck do you mean by "second choice I would make a purchase of
Acronis which I have a license on XP that I could probably upgrade to
run on my Vista machine ?"?

It makes absolutely NO sense.

Well, actually it could do. Only later versions of True Image are fully
compatible with Vista. (v10 > for the Home version, IIRC).

ss.
 
J

John Barnett MVP

I wouldn't be looking at 'free' imaging software because they nearly all
have reduced features. If you want a reliable drive image application go
with Acronis True Image 2009.

--

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

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

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..
 
C

Crash and Burn

Yes it did help when people actually try to answer a question. Especially
when somebody makes it clear they have a real serious dilemma. Thanks again,
I'll be heading over there in a few moments...
 
C

Crash and Burn

Yes it did help when people actually try to answer a question instead of
attack the premise. Especially
when somebody makes it clear they have a real serious dilemma and have no
time nor care for petty bullsh!t.

Thanks again then; Paragon's freemium business model is exactly what I was
hoping to discover and evaluate on referral. After then reading reviews and
using my specific circumstances I learned I can upgrade an old release of
Acronis TrueImage for $29.95 so I bought up. This time.
 
C

Crash and Burn

Your point has merit --however-- like many ISVs the freemium business model
is exactly how Acronis started in business and has really been working out
well once people started understanding the what has been called the "long
tail" in marketing and selling consumer products.

Acronis had my old serial number and I was able to buy up to Home 2009 for
only $29.95 providing at least the bare bones essentials:

* full stand-alone executable when purchasing an upgrade
* full system image of failing hard disk with sufficient business logic
identifying compromised bits and bytes which are not included in the image.
* hard disk vendor agnostic providing full system restore to any other type
or size of hard disk.
 
J

John Barnett MVP

Paragon have asked me repeatedly (I have reviewed their software many times
before on my website) to 'plug' the free version Paragon Drive Copy Express.
I've used their full version software and have found it extremely useful,
but I always end up going back to Acronis.

I can't comment on Paragon Drive Copy Express because I have never used it.
I am aware, however, that it is the 'basics' no more, no less - after all,
what do people expect for free. For the average user it does well enough as
a backup in case of emergency, but for those of use who rely heavily upon
their machines something more substantial, such as Acronis is needed.

--

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

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

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..
 
C

Crash and Burn

I thought I had the "basics" fairly well elucidated but others may be
seeking more and then I too would likely buy into Acronis as I have :). Now
when the image is finally done I hope it will save my @ss from the corrupt
way the OEM scum like HP and others try to rip people off by preventing them
from reusing the OS they bought and paid for.

Right now for example I have made a "recovery" disk but I'm failry certian
the p.o.s. will not install Vista on a new hard drive that was not purchased
from HP as their chat staff told me they provide a utility to ensure the
recover will install to a new drive "their drive" and get this: the @ssholes
are charging $640 for a 500Gb replacement disk. I kid you not this racket
needs to be exposed and I do not appreciate the way Microsoft looks the
other way.
 
N

none

If you have an HP Computer with the Recovery Partition you in fact can
create Recovery CD's and DVD's. You can use them to restore the factory
operating system to a new Hard Disk I know I do not have the original
Samsung 500GB Hard Drive in my computer I have a Western Digital 500GB Hard
Drive in my system and works great no problems. Their Recovery CD's DVD's
creator and factory Recovery Disks will not let you install them on another
computer you should have no problem replacing you're hard drive. It should
be all smooth no problems HP lets you replace all components in you computer
except your motherboard so that means you can change every thing with no
problems good luck.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top