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    Complete Drive Backup

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by NinjaNoodles, Aug 11, 2007.

  1. NinjaNoodles

    NinjaNoodles Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there any third party software that allows me to do a FULL backup - OS, Programs, etc.?

    That and the file encryption are the only reasons I'd like Ultimate, but I don't want to support Microsoft's tactic of limited functionality for profit.

    Open source is obviously preferable, but I'm open to any reasonably priced suggestions as well. (Recommendations for file encryption are also welcome.)

    Thanks,
    Peter
     
    NinjaNoodles, Aug 11, 2007
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  2. lesinlondon

    lesinlondon Notebook Enthusiast

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    Acronis True Image = Fantastic!
     
    lesinlondon, Aug 11, 2007
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  3. kappa.squared

    kappa.squared Notebook Consultant

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    Acronis True Image is probably your best bet for doing a full backup. It'll cost you $50, but there is a free trial.

    For file encryption, I use TrueCrypt.
     
    kappa.squared, Aug 11, 2007
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  4. zinfandel

    zinfandel Notebook Consultant

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    No matter which backup software you end up with if you have Vista OS make sure it's Vista compatible. That's why I went with Norton Ghost Image 12 even though I'm not a big Norton fan. I am installing it tomorrow.
    I got it at Frys and in the Norton Suite with Partition Magic 8 (not Vista ready) and Norton Security 2007 (which I think is for Vista) the whole bundle was free with two rebates (currently only a $20 rebate on the bundle)

    One suggestion is to go to newegg and read the customer reviews to help you decide.
     
    zinfandel, Aug 11, 2007
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  5. NinjaNoodles

    NinjaNoodles Notebook Evangelist

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    IMHO, it's easier to completely remove a virus than to completely remove Norton.
     
    NinjaNoodles, Aug 11, 2007
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  6. lesinlondon

    lesinlondon Notebook Enthusiast

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    Acronis is better than Norton, so I have heard. Acronis True Image is Vista compatible. Oh and TrueCrypt is recommended for any encryption.
     
    lesinlondon, Aug 11, 2007
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  7. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I been using Seagate's Disc Wizard which is pretty much True Image. It works fine in Vista. I think it is free if you have a Seagate Drive.
     
    ZaZ, Aug 11, 2007
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  8. zinfandel

    zinfandel Notebook Consultant

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    zinfandel, Aug 11, 2007
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  9. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    Stay away from the Norton Internet software. It REALLY uses lot of the CPU. There was a recent review of the overhead, both CPU and DISK, for each of the major anti virus apps. Norton and McAfee were both real hogs. They both started life as lean, mean, efficient apps, but have suffered significant bloat.

    Ghost is another kettle of fish. I use it all the time and really like it a lot. I am still using an older copy and it works fine for imaging entire partitions, even Vista partitions. I have not tried the selective restore functionality under Vista, but frankly I have never needed or wanted to use that. I keep my OS and apps on my C: drive and ALL of my data files, including Outlook files on my D: drive. I sync the d: drive to a fire wire drive and my server in my office religiously. I have a third partition (fat 32) which holds a ghost image of my C: drive. I can restore the c: in 20 minutes if need be.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Aug 11, 2007
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  10. deputy963

    deputy963 Notebook Evangelist

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    It's fine when you do a full disk backup, and I expect it will be fixed totally in an update. Even now the fix is simple. The actual issue is Vista, which uses a different start sector on the disk than XP did.

    I'm not a fan of Norton, and it requires the .Net framework to even run.
     
    deputy963, Aug 12, 2007
    #10