What backup strategy/software do you use?

[MrFoot]

I would be interested in any recommendations for a suitable pairing of external back up device/ software especially one that can do full system backup and restore. If anyone has recovered their system using such a system all the better....

I have a Sony VAIO A115Z, Iomega Rev USB 2.0 and use Iomega Backup. It performs like a sloath on dope, whilst according to it's own diagnostic tells me performance is good. About as much use as a nun in a brothel. I can't get a system backup without the software crashing.

I run a business with most of my business and client data stored on it. I need a solution which isn't like pulling teeth...

Suggestions... please.... please... I'll buy the person with the best suggestion a pint as long as you don't live in outer mongolia and I happen to be in the area!

[Thalamus.]

Hi Mr Foot,

Acronis True Image is a popular choice, here is a uk link and also a link to PC pro review...:smileyhappy:

[William]

I use Norton Ghost. When I originally purchased it I could never get it work with a USB drive, but it works well on my desktop with two HDD's.

A workaround I use for my laptop is to create an image of my C drive on my D drive then move it to my USB HDD.

So I used to swear at it but now I swear by it, especially for my desktop.

Because my "RZ" desktop now resides in a new generic case with a new generic ASUS motherboard it is the only way I can restore my OS. My recovery disks no longer work

I still haven't fathomed out how to use it successfully with USB drives.

[MrFoot]

Thanks WIlliam,
So what happens if RZ kills over like a good'n? Burn the image off your usb hdd to CD to do the restore after booting from Norton recovery?

I could not get the Iomege boot cdrom to detect my usb drive so if everything goes tits up I can't even get to the image... of course at the moment I have no image to get too....

[William]

Thanks WIlliam,
So what happens if RZ kills over like a good'n? Burn the image off your usb hdd to CD to do the restore after booting from Norton recovery?

I could not get the Iomege boot cdrom to detect my usb drive so if everything goes tits up I can't even get to the image... of course at the moment I have no image to get too....

It did keel over like a good'n hence the new mobo, case and power supply.

I would have been stuffed without the Norton image on the 2nd HDD.

[jumpsuit]

I have to agree with Thalamus, Acronis is top notch. Some have suggested caution when using it but I've used it several times now with no hitches.

[Thalamus.]

I have to agree with Thalamus, Acronis is top notch. Some have suggested caution when using it but I've used it several times now with no hitches.

Thanks Jumpy...:smileygrin:

[MrFoot]

So Thalamus (or anyone with Acronis)

I have to agree with Thalamus, Acronis is top notch. Some have suggested caution when using it but I've used it several times now with no hitches.

So what hardware pairing have you got? Do you use an external harddrive (firewire)?

There is some stuff on the Acronis forums and faqs about not using an external drive as the secure zone, incase it isn't detected which can large delays in boot up or even stop boot altogether...

I've emailed Acronis to find out what the crack is, but any user experiences greatly appreciated.

[jumpsuit]

I use an external drive with no problems at the moment.
(There's a 23 gig system copy sitting on it right now)

Depending on compression and what you're taking an image of you can always burn to a dvd.
(2 lots of documents and settings are on my external too)

[kee-lo_]

Acronis is good for backing up the OS partition with programs, but for files I just copy them over as My Music, and then just refresh them every 2 weeks.