In addition to Acronis True Image, Easus, and Norton Ghost 14, I just had two email offers for Avanquest Perfect Image, and Paragon Drive Copy 8.5
Does anyone know which of those would be best for me to back up my entire hard drive in case it dies?? They're all so alike and yet so different!!!
Ghosting Hard Drive for back up
(44 posts) (9 voices)-
copmom
MemberPosted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberLee, thanks for asking. I believe you're the one that suggested Norton Ghost 14 the other day. This is make a totally complete copy (ghost) of my entire C: drive to another hard drive for a backup in case this one drops dead. So that all I have to do is change the cables inside the case, and make the copy my primary drive! I have too much stuff on here, like photos, movies, music, etc. etc., and basic programs.. 84 GB worth at this point.
Posted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberYou're kidding!!!!!!!!!! You mean I don't have to get any extra programs to do something like that? I had no idea that was a window's feature! DUH, DUH, DUH! Thank you, thank you, very much!
BUT.. if it is a window's feature, how come all these other places are offering programs to do that??
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Addendum: Wait a second Lee... just looked that all up.. I'm running WinXP SP2, and I have under system tools: "backup" and "files and settings transfer wizard". For the transfer wizard, it says need direct cable connection or hub or home networking to connect 2 computers. Backup is just what it says..like backup/restore. Transfer wizard doesn't give me to option of putting everything on a spare HD. Or, am I missing something?Posted 16 years ago # -
samm
MemberHi Guys, I've been lurking here... My husband wants to load Everything to a portable TB Drive. We're running Vista Ultimate. It has a drive that says Factory Image. I guess my question is can he/we just copy that to the TB drive and then add all my games and stuff from my thumb and portable drives too?
Thanks for the info Lee and thanks for the question CopmomPosted 16 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCatHi Copmom,
Please take a look at this concerning working with Shadow Copy (Windows XP )
(shadow copy works with files and folders, it doesn't make an image of your drive)
What Goodgotd is saying is ,that he doesn't like "hot" imaging.Neither do I (although most imaging programs support this feature or auto restart your computer to do the imaging job of your active drive.Go for Acronis ...or Ghost,as Lee seems to prefer.
I prefer booting with a cd/dvd with a dos or linux version of the program on it or with a BartPE cd (bootable windows xp version)
Posted 16 years ago # -
goodgotd
Memberyes, and I think it's called volume shadow copy, though I really don't know much about the details it's supposed to allow backing up locked files. it's not a backup program, but part of the os that allows backing up otherwise inaccessible files.
somebody familiar with xp jump in, please?
the way I make disc images is the only way I know how to mirror drives at the bootable restoration level where you can swap the image drive directly in place of the original working drive. and having multiple partitions on each hdd complicats things a bit.
but then, win2k... ain't xp.
Posted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberThanks all for your advice.. I do believe I'll go with Acronis or Paragon, since I just found this comparison of the different programs:
http://disk-imaging-software-review.toptenreviews.com/{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} ~ Lauri
Posted 16 years ago # -
goodgotd
MemberPersonally, I use ghost 2001 and the freedos option in the ubcd to image win2k partitions both fat32 and ntfs- it's worked fine so far, fwiw. iirc ghost 2001 includes the linux filesystems as of then, though later efitions dropped linux support.
dos 5 ought to work, the abandonware sites have ms-dos 6.22 and ibm-dos 7 available- but the ultimate boot cd's freedos does better with big partitions (that's the format I use) and it's free and legal for sure.
In straight clone mode ghost shouldn't care. I think.
Posted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberWell, I ended up ordering Paragon Drive Copy (not Paragon Drive Backup). I had gotten an email from http://www.Serif.com offering me the above for $19.95 and I've gotten things from Serif many times in the past, like a digital camera as well as their programs. They always offer a 30 day money back guarantee, so it's on it's way. The main thing is that it works for me. I've got a spare 120 GB HD just sitting here from my old machine. I kept the 2 HD's when I gave that old 733 computer away. I'll format that and use it for a spare when this one drops dead. I'm using that in an external case. I've also got a 300 GB 2nd HD in this machine. Errrr only one problem.. the 120 is IDE and this machine is SATA! That might not work after all if my current C: drive dies!
Quick question.. IF I have a lot of stuff on my 300 GB on here, and copy the C: drive to that, would it remove all the other stuff I already have on it?Posted 16 years ago # -
tommy1
MemberCopmom, didn't you do this earlier this year with Paragon?
see thread
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3261#post-28956
Tom
Posted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberHi tommy1.. good memory! What I did do was Paragon Drive "Backup", and I do have the CD here for HD C: failure and backed up to drive F:
But, that's not a total clone/copy/ghost - whatever. At least I don't think it is. Why am I getting so confused between 'back up' and 'copy'? But when I read the detailed description on Paragon's web site, there are some differences.
For some reason (and I've learned a lot about computers over the years), I seem to have a mental block (comprehension) on what does what!!!
It's my understanding that backing something up doesn't cover all the background things like registry, etc. It's more like Window's XP backup/restore, isn't it?Posted 16 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredBest thing paragon do is, Paragon Partition Manager v9.0 Professional imho.
What you mentioned copmom in the UK at serifs site you can get it @33% off around $18
or £9.95.http://www.serif.com/SerifExtra/TemplatePages/Product/668/9178/1.htm
Posted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberLee: That's the price I paid on the link you sent. I don't have my HD partitioned, so are you suggesting that I partition my 300 GB 2nd HD and put the Drive Copy in a partition so I don't lose anything else on it?
Here's a description from Serif's email I got about Drive Copy:
From Serif:
"System Upgrade? Make light work of complicated migrations!Remember when upgrading to a new hard drive meant hours of downloading your data, applications, and operating systems to disk; then hours more of reinstalling everything to your new hard drive? Not anymore!
With Paragon Drive Copy 8.5 you can quickly and easily create an exact copy of your hard disk or even an individual partition, including the operating system, applications, preferences, settings and data, in just a few simple clicks!
An intuitive wizard-driven interface makes installing or backing up hard disks and restoring previous backups a breeze, taking all the stress out of normally time-consuming operating system tasks and applications. These tasks can even be automated to run on a regular basis making your life significantly easier and giving you peace of mind in case of a system failure.
Paragon Drive Copy 8.5 is excellent value for money and incredibly easy to use, having already scooped a number of excellent reviews and ratings on the web. Click to order your copy now and be ready when disaster strikes!"
Posted 16 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredI always thought v9 was latest version.
Not encouraging you to partiton your hard drive.
I did mine when installing xp made 8 partitons then ran vista upgrade.
I did though need to resize one few weeks ago and Paragon Partition Manager v9.0 Professional is the dogs gonads.
Posted 16 years ago # -
In the end it's all subjective. What works for some might not be for others (preference wise). Just because I like chocolate chip cookies doesn't mean someone else should (although chocolate chip cookie haters should probably have their heads checked by a psychiatrist and be put on medication to get the area of the brain that is creating said disdain for chocolate chip cookies to function normally...). Joking of course...
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruCan I get those in the UK copmom? :) Sounds yummy.
Posted 16 years ago #
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