Building Multiple CF-19, update me on modern cloning software?

Acronis True Image seems the way to go. And I have seen multiple recommendations for it elsewhere, and also specifically on here. But it isn't $free-fifty... Now if it CAN do everything below, then paying $40-50 for it is likely worth it to me.

For years I used Partition Magic and LOVED it. I think my last version had compatibility issues with W7 or something like that though. It has been a while. Heck, I think I even paid actual green money for that software.

Here is what I am after. Ideally I need something that is either not installed on the hard drive, or free. I need to clone the drive out of my now fully setup and running mk5 CF-19 at least 1-3 more times. Then I need to make an incremental backup with the personal tweaks I add to my own setup.

Or be able to store multiple clones on a single large drive that I can make each clone a working version. At one time, I (think I) could do all this with PM Magic.

I also need software that lets me close a larger empty drive into a smaller one. Right now my only backup drive is 100gig, I would be coming from a larger (but empty) 320gig drive.

 

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I agree, true image was USD 3 after rebate last week.
At the same time, it's free enough inside recovery images )

 

And with Acronis, no need to install on multiple machines.
When installed on the first machine, make a "rescue media" cd or usb stick and use that media alone for any further use of Acronis tools.

 

i use the free version of "macrium" :
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
a couple of clicks and the target drive is being cloned from the source drive .

 

I have used this a few times and it does work great. If you are looking for any other programs check out @Phoenix software update thread here http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/phoenix-software-updates.794490/

 

Alright, I am about to give this a try!

Good tip guys on this Macrium! I am going to give that a try out also I think. I especially like the free part. I currently have a trial on the Acronis. I would pay the $3 on sale deal even not knowing if it is capable enough for my wishes.

I still have that big question though. Can Acronis, or Macrium (or anything else out there) clone or recover from a larger drive to a smaller one? Obviously, I can't go from a larger full drive to a smaller one... But a large empty drive, to a smaller drive as long as there is enough space on the smaller one for programs and documents.

I should have just started with my smallest drive, but it was in use for storage and backup stuff.

 

yeppers ...
typical scenario :
i get a machine running on a spinner install .
pick up a used 128 gig ssd
clone a larger (in number only) spinner drive to said ssd .
obviously , one cannot have more data to clone than the target drive has capacity .

 

It would seem logical and a simple thing, but most of the older software couldn't actually do this!!!

 

Acronis will resize the image up or down.
It can also install the proper drivers if you are installing on different hardware. You need to set it up to do this.
Pretty sure it can sense a SSD and make the needed changes also.
The Acronis rescue boot disk is a Linux environment.

 

Sorry to hijack, ive searched everywhere for that but can't find anything clickable to do it, any clues

 

Universal restore

https://kb.acronis.com/search/site/universal%20restore

 

I've use Clonezilla ( http://clonezilla.org/ ) it's a Linux based software. Works great and can run across a network to backup and restore a drive, or boot from a CD and backup to a thumb Drive or EXT hard drive