Cloning (and I don't mean sheep)

From the combined psyche of this forum, what are the recommendations for the best cloning software (especially freeware)? I am getting ready to install a new HDD in my new CF-29 and don't want to start from scratch (again).

 

I prefer Acronis Trueimage but I have also used Norton Ghost in the past with no issue.

 

Same here... really like Acronis true image. Newegg or Fry's often have it for sale for free to $20 after rebate.

 

I use a free solution Easus Disk 2 Disk.

Works solidly, costs nothing, and is downloadable online.

http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/

I am not associated with them in any way!

 

As a basic imaging software, Ghost wins.
For in place backups/clones with OS running, Acronis is best imo.

 

To me.. Ghost takes too much and CAN be complicated. Acronis is the best way to go for just about most apps. It is idiot proof and is VERY intuitive! Plus I think it is free for the first 30 days... My download was anyway... I ended up loving it and buying it.

 

Using Ghost Solutions Suite in a corporate network with a dedicated server and storage location, Ghost rocks. I tried it at home to backup a PC with the pedestrian version and it is a pain to get it to save on anything but the DVD burner. I would give Acronis a try based on everyone else's recommendations although I have not used it myself.

One time I tried the cloning utility that I got with a new Western Digital hard drive to clone the old drive to a new, bigger drive. It worked pretty slick, but you have to buy a retail hard drive or it does not come with it. Not worth the extra $$$ IMO.

 

Acronis hands down. Also the Western Digital is a scaled down version of Acronis. I tried every package available and Acronis rocks and is FREE 30 day trial. I use it for all software installs on a network. Saves from 100's of disks and swapping etc. A few years back a less capable program could be had for thousands of dollars and for less than $30 now. Thats technology!!!

 

I have had excellent results with an open source, self-booting ISO image placed on a CD from Clonezilla.

It's saved my bacon more than once:

http://clonezilla.org/

 

Which version of Acronis do you guys like? The customer reviews of True Image 11 on Amazon are pretty bad. Thanks

 

I have been using Acronis Ver. 11 for well over a year and have done close to 100 drives... Maybe 75... Anyway.... I've never had an issue. I just plug up both drives to the USB, make sure both are read by the desktop... Point which one is drive A and which one is drive B and the rest is pretty much automatic. I just used it today as a matter of fact to clone the 40GB out of the CF-18 over to a 100GB (7200rpm) that I pulled out of my old Dull... Works like a charm every time for me!

However... This is the ONLY feature I use... I've never used the backup function or anything else... I just wanted it for cloning....

EDIT - You have to figure that some of the people who buy this stuff on Amazon really don't have a clue. Have you looked elsewhere on NBR? There must be several threads in other forums...

Just don't bring a bunch of the Dull guys back with you!

 

Thanks TB. Almost got sucked in to buying a Dull myself, then saw someone with a Toughbook. You probably can guess the story from there--a cf48 was my gateway drug to the cf29 . . . . Hello, my name is Stewboy and I . . . .