Drive Image backup software

Hi guys,

I need to know what you think is the best backup program out there as of now.
I already asked this question in a more specific thread
( http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-back-up-software-m14x-users.html#post8168706)
but i didn't get a lot of responses. I'll be using an alienware m14x that runs on windows home premium 64bit.

I want to know what you think is the best software to use? Preferably free but as long it's worth it i'm willing to spend on it. As for the features, i think incremental backups, folder backup (my documents), and full backup are the only ones i need. Please recommend any other necessary features.

Currently i'm looking into Acronis True Image and Symantec Ghost because these are the ones most talked about when i searched the forums. I would also like to know if windows system restore would be a sufficient backup solution.

thanks for the help!

 

singkuy, I have been saved more than once with the free version of PAragon
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview
Wizards built in make it real easy to use. Be sure to create a recovery CD or USB stick first thing. (It only needs a about 80 MB so no need for a large USB stick, I am using a 128 MB stick).
Best of luck with whatever you choose

 

Thanks JOSEA! i'll check that one out.

 

Hello Singkuy,

Free & paid are the last considering point, first you should check out “what are your main requirements” like you have mention in your post incremental backups, folder backup (my documents), and full backup. I think these three features are enough to judge best data backup software. I will recommend you Stellar Insta Backup Gold.

 

Achronis True Image

 

Windows system restore is not a sufficient app for your needs. Windows backup is a true imaging program, here is a screen shot of its limited options:
http://lifehacker.com/5144757/first-look-at-windows-7s-backup-and-restore-center

 

Thanks everyone for the input! unfortunate paid software is out of the question for me.

I'm looking into Paragon right now but in the windows utility as well. i might get an external for the files so i wont have to fret over imaging my entire drive every time i do a backup. what concerns me most is the OS and system files that might get corrupted and also my uncle installed the one time microsoft office good for 3 computers. What i'm going to do is make an image of my system with complete windows updates and the installed microsoft office 2010. Another concern is that i'm planning on migrating to an ssd drive and i need a utility that will be able to copy my entire system to another drive(probably a smaller sized ssd)

 

Here's a list of free backup/imaging solutions with a list of features/limitations I have complied for you:

1. Macrium Reflect Free

Pros +

Disk imaging
Disk cloning
Schedule backups

Cons -

No file backups
Does not automatically clean old backups automatically
Does not support migration to UEFI-enabled motherboards

2. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free

Pros +

- Easy-to-use interface
- Disk imaging
- Disk cloning
- File-level backup

Cons -

- Restore process can be very slow on older HDDs and low end single/dual core CPUs

- Can only scheduled backups on Sunday

- Cannot backup to Network drive

Note: Paragon requires the free software "Paragon Migrate to UEFI" for UEFI-enabled motherboards. If you attempt to backup this drive without using this software your restore process WILL fail.

3. Clonezilla

Pros +

- Simple to use interface
- Clone to larger disks
- Disk imaging
- Good compression rate to reduce size of image

Cons -

- Does not support software-based RAID configurations
- No file-level backups
- Backup process can take a while depending on level of compression
- Requires small amount of technical skill/knowledge of Unix a +
- By default Clonezilla will make the cloned HDD size the same size as your original. So if you clone a 500GB to a 1TB you are left with 500GB of usable space and 500GB of unallocated space. This can be overcome by creating a new volume in Disk Management and "extending" the partition to accommodate the full space.

4. DriveImage XML

Pros +

- Backup process is relatively fast
- Can restore image to a larger drive
- Backup to Network drives
- Command-line interface allows you to create batch files which can automate the backup process
- Restore process allows you to restore individual files instead of the entire image

Cons -

- Not user friendly
- Requires creating bootable rescue CD (BartPE) which can require a lot of tedious steps in order to successfully recover your machine.
- Cannot backup to DVD or tape volumes
- Cannot perform incremental backups
- May or may not backup MBR which can corrupt Windows installation about restore.

 

Take a look at Free Data Recovery Software, Backup Software and Partition Manager Freeware in Windows and Linux - EaseUS as well, they have many excellent (& free) tools.

 

I would say go with Acronis True Image...I used that for the past 4 years and plus being made into a bootable cd allows me to make backups and restore without having to run the O/S to do the imaging. I used to have ghost and use it but running from Floppy disk for me eventually caused sector issue on the disk causing it to go bad. Also Ghost breaks up the image in multiple files of the same image but Acronis will keep one large image of the drive for easier recovery when needed. Sometimes going with a paid program will give you alot more options. Only downside it doesn't work with older CPU aka Pentium 4 or older but newer CPU it will work fine.

 

If one of your drives is a Seagate you can get a stripped down version of ATI called DiskWizard for free from the Seagate site. I've cloned a couple HDD when upgrading to something larger and it worked flawlessly.

Of course you can back up your entire HDD, but if you reinstall Windows, I suggest you make an image of the OS with drivers etc, and an image with all your programs installed.

Then I use Karen's Replicator to back up my photos, music and documents as needed. (it can be scheduled)

 

Sad, you have a $1200+ laptop and can't afford $50 for software. If you have a Seagate or WD hard drive, you can get Acronis for free. Just remember, you get what you pay for...

 

I was waiting for this comment. LOL. thing is i didn't exactly pay the whole $1200.

glad to see that people are still contributing though.

 

I think you can get quality software even if it’s not that expensive. The trick is to try out different products. We use Praetorian Guard at work. It makes full and folder backups centrally and uses a scheduler. You may check it out.