Seeking recommendation for backup software.

[Dr. Dos]

Can anyone recommend a flexible backup program for WinXP to
back up the C; drive to external usb backup hard drives. I
need something with an automated scheduler and the ability
to make incremental backups as files.
I am using Retrospect 6.0.22, which I like for setting up,
but it quite frequently stalls when it is initiated, and is
therefore not dependable.
Thank you

 

[Pegasus]

Can anyone recommend a flexible backup program for WinXP to back up the C;
drive to external usb backup hard drives. I need something with an
automated scheduler and the ability to make incremental backups as files.
I am using Retrospect 6.0.22, which I like for setting up, but it quite
frequently stalls when it is initiated, and is therefore not dependable.
Thank you

If you don't mind writing a batch file then this
command will do it very nicely, free of charge:

@echo off
xcopy /s /d /y /c "%UserProfile%\My Documents" "E:\Backup\"

 

[Jud McCranie]

Can anyone recommend a flexible backup program for WinXP to
back up the C; drive to external usb backup hard drives. ...

I am using Retrospect 6.0.22, which I like for setting up,

I used to use Retrospect for backing up to my external HD because that
is what came with it. It worked OK for me for that, but I didn't like
it for other backups. I've used six or eight backup programs, but
currently I'm using Acronis TrueImage (including backing up to the
external HD). It probably isn't the best, but that is what I'm using
right now.

 

[Jim]

Can anyone recommend a flexible backup program for WinXP to back up the C;
drive to external usb backup hard drives. I need something with an
automated scheduler and the ability to make incremental backups as files.
I am using Retrospect 6.0.22, which I like for setting up, but it quite
frequently stalls when it is initiated, and is therefore not dependable.
Thank you

Acronis True Image.
Jim

 

[Dr. Dos]

If you don't mind writing a batch file then this
command will do it very nicely, free of charge:

@echo off
xcopy /s /d /y /c "%UserProfile%\My Documents" "E:\Backup\"

Great idea. I had not thought about that. Thanks for the idea.
Batch files, no problem.
This will not work for me.
Dedicated backup programs allow for the substitution of the
restored registry and other system files. This is something
I will need when I get in trouble. I do not believe I could
take an xcopy hsr system file and restore it. Also, while
the capture would be sufficient for a plain ol' backup,
scheduling and compaction are not part of this backup
scheme, nor is the making a backup incremental. I need
something more sophisticated.

 

[Dr. Dos]

I used to use Retrospect for backing up to my external HD because that
is what came with it. It worked OK for me for that, but I didn't like
it for other backups. I've used six or eight backup programs, but
currently I'm using Acronis TrueImage (including backing up to the
external HD). It probably isn't the best, but that is what I'm using
right now.

Thanks for the name.
I'll check it out.

 

[Dr. Dos]

Acronis True Image.
Jim

Ah-ha, a second vote.

 

[Pegasus]

See my comments below.

Great idea. I had not thought about that. Thanks for the idea.
Batch files, no problem.
This will not work for me.
Dedicated backup programs allow for the substitution of the restored
registry and other system files. This is something I will need when I get
in trouble. I do not believe I could take an xcopy hsr system file and
restore it.

*** Yes, you can back up the registry with regback.exe.
*** Later on you can restore it by booting the machine
*** with a Bart PE boot CD, even if Windows will no longer
*** boot. Many other backup programs rely on an operative
*** version of Windows in order to run a restore.

Also, while the capture would be sufficient for a plain ol' backup,
scheduling and compaction are not part of this backup scheme, nor is the
making a backup incremental.

*** Scheduling is handled by the Task Scheduler.
*** Compaction is not available, but then disk space is cheap.
*** Incremental backup is handled by the /d switch.

I need something more sophisticated.

*** Fair enough. Acronis may be your answer, as suggested
*** by other respondents.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Dedicated backup programs allow for the substitution of the
restored registry and other system files. This is something
I will need when I get in trouble. I do not believe I could
take an xcopy hsr system file and restore it.

I distinguish between data backups and system backups.

Data, I want backed up every time it changes and usually want to
restore from the latest version or, occasionally, the version as
of a certain time/date.

System, I want backed up *only* when I know the system is good
and if/when I restore the system I want to restore from one of
those known-to-be-good backups. Who knows what virus or malware
crept into to my system yesterday or last night... or last week?

Because of that distinction, I back up my data with a couple of
"dedicated backup programs" - and I back up my system with an
imaging program.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Ah-ha, a second vote.

A third, actually. The "home" version of True Image also now automatically
creates image files in sections that fit onto a single DVD. And, it allows
for general imaging and specific incremental backups.

A good product and not very expensive.

With scheduled tasks like backups, it's important to realize that the user
account has to actually have *a non-blank password*. Otherwise, the
scheduler may not be able to run.

HTH
-pk

 

[Zilbandy]

I've used six or eight backup programs, but
currently I'm using Acronis TrueImage (including backing up to the
external HD). It probably isn't the best, but that is what I'm using
right now.

I've not used quite that many, but Acronis TrueImage Home 10, my
current backup program works, it works well, and it hasn't let me down
EVER! ::knocking on wood:: There might be something out there better,
but I can't image it being much better.

I'm always doing something stupid with my computer, and have restored
my complete system many times using the Acronis Boot CD and my USB
hard drive containing my backup images. I even copy my backup images
to other computers on my network for extra backup security. So far,
I've been ok. ::knocking on wood again::

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

With scheduled tasks like backups, it's important to realize that the user
account has to actually have *a non-blank password*. Otherwise, the
scheduler may not be able to run.

Not true. No password here, and it all works just fine.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Not true. No password here, and it all works just fine.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310715

"This behavior did not exist in versions of Windows that are earlier than
Windows XP. To improve system security, any task that is using a local
account (non-domain account) as the account under which the scheduled task
is to run will require a password. If the local account does not have a
password, a password must be created for that account."

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/nav.nsf/docid/2001110119375006
"However, the Windows Task Scheduler does require that users have a password
for any scheduled events to run. If a scheduled scan is not configured with
a user name and password, then the scan will not run."

http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/company/inpress/2006/06-15-4ati.html
"Because the scheduler for Acronis True Image runs as a service under
Windows, it needs a valid user account name and password to run."

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-418922.php
"By Default, Scheduling requires that it be running from an account with
a password. This restriction can be removed:

XP Pro:
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Local Security policy
At
Local Policy - Security Options, in the right pane double click on
'Accounts - Limit Local account use of blank . . .' (line 3) and set to
Disabled."

HTH
-pk

 

[Jud McCranie]

I even copy my backup images
to other computers on my network for extra backup security. So far,
I've been ok. ::knocking on wood again::

I do that too.

 

[Mike Lowery]

Can anyone recommend a flexible backup program for WinXP to back up the C;
drive to external usb backup hard drives. I need something with an automated
scheduler and the ability to make incremental backups as files.
I am using Retrospect 6.0.22, which I like for setting up, but it quite
frequently stalls when it is initiated, and is therefore not dependable.
Thank you

DriveImage XML. It doesn't do incrementals, it does full partition backups and
can run in the background while you're doing other tasks on the same machine:
http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

Clonezilla is another option:
http://clonezilla.sourceforge.net/

 

[Dr. Dos]

See my comments below.



*** Yes, you can back up the registry with regback.exe.
*** Later on you can restore it by booting the machine
*** with a Bart PE boot CD, even if Windows will no longer
*** boot. Many other backup programs rely on an operative
*** version of Windows in order to run a restore.


*** Scheduling is handled by the Task Scheduler.
*** Compaction is not available, but then disk space is cheap.
*** Incremental backup is handled by the /d switch.


*** Fair enough. Acronis may be your answer, as suggested
*** by other respondents.

Hm.
I'll do some study and experimentation with your
suggestions. I am not as versed in scripting as I was once
in DOS batching, so I will enjoy the learning challenge.
Thanks.

 

[Dr. Dos]

I distinguish between data backups and system backups.

Data, I want backed up every time it changes and usually want to
restore from the latest version or, occasionally, the version as
of a certain time/date.

System, I want backed up *only* when I know the system is good
and if/when I restore the system I want to restore from one of
those known-to-be-good backups. Who knows what virus or malware
crept into to my system yesterday or last night... or last week?

Because of that distinction, I back up my data with a couple of
"dedicated backup programs" - and I back up my system with an
imaging program.

Strategy.
I agree that using a bad system backup gets one further
behind than safe.
I do a complete backup, but keep a rotation deep enough to
recover back from four weeks before. I am not smart enough
to know that I have a bad system until it goes kerflewy.
I also do an Apricorn clone (I guess that's an image), that
lets me replace the current C: with the cloned (earlier)
version. Couple that with my daily backup that includes all
data, I am pretty safe.

 

[Dr. Dos]

I've not used quite that many, but Acronis TrueImage Home 10, my
current backup program works, it works well, and it hasn't let me down
EVER! ::knocking on wood:: There might be something out there better,
but I can't image it being much better.

I'm always doing something stupid with my computer, and have restored
my complete system many times using the Acronis Boot CD and my USB
hard drive containing my backup images. I even copy my backup images
to other computers on my network for extra backup security. So far,
I've been ok. ::knocking on wood again::

Thanks for the testimonial on Acronis.

 

[Dr. Dos]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310715

"This behavior did not exist in versions of Windows that are earlier than
Windows XP. To improve system security, any task that is using a local
account (non-domain account) as the account under which the scheduled task
is to run will require a password. If the local account does not have a
password, a password must be created for that account."

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/nav.nsf/docid/2001110119375006
"However, the Windows Task Scheduler does require that users have a password
for any scheduled events to run. If a scheduled scan is not configured with
a user name and password, then the scan will not run."

http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/company/inpress/2006/06-15-4ati.html
"Because the scheduler for Acronis True Image runs as a service under
Windows, it needs a valid user account name and password to run."

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-418922.php
"By Default, Scheduling requires that it be running from an account with
a password. This restriction can be removed:

XP Pro:
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Local Security policy
At
Local Policy - Security Options, in the right pane double click on
'Accounts - Limit Local account use of blank . . .' (line 3) and set to
Disabled."

HTH
-pk

OK.
An Acronis WinXP "secret."
Thanks.

 

[Dr. Dos]

DriveImage XML. It doesn't do incrementals, it does full partition backups and
can run in the background while you're doing other tasks on the same machine:
http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

Clonezilla is another option:
http://clonezilla.sourceforge.net/

Thanks.
Two more to check out.