Acronis vs Paragon backup software.

WartHog · 19 Jan 2011

SIW, Awesome explanation! Thank you VERY much.

whs · 19 Jan 2011

SIW2 said:

A recovery disc contains a mini operating system. Typically you would boot it up from a dvd or flash drive, and it loads into memory.

From there you can run various applications - to install, or repair the operating system on your Hard Drive, or perform various operations that are best done outside of your windows installation - or in this case, to restore an image you made earlier.

There are many types of mini operating systems you could use for this- linux, dos, one based on XP ( pe or pe1 ), Vista based (pe2) or Windows 7 based (pe3).

PE means pre-installation environment ( a mini o/s from where you run the installation).

RE means recovery environment ( from where you run repair/recovery apps.)

The environment is the mini o/s and is essentially the same for PE or RE.

Simply PE is often used to describe any of the above windows environments.

Building a simple pe disc is not very hard if you start with either the boot.wim (included on the 7 install dvd ), or winre.wim ( on your HD in the hideen folder ), or the boot.wim from the 7 recovery disc you run off from within windows.

If you are prepared to put a lot of effort in - you can get something like this:

Attachment 132967

Attachment 132969

This is an excellent guideline. Maybe you could make a tutorial out of it. I am sure a lot of people would be grateful.

victord66 · 08 Apr 2011

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Acronis runs like greased lightning compared with paragon.
System of Incremental backups seems easier to manage.
Individual file restore can be done even from "Image" backups.

Backups can be made to networked devices .

Paragon *might* have improved since I last tried it -- all I can say that I've been using ACRONIS for at least 5 years now with never a hiccup either.

Acronis will even backup and restore LINUX partitions - and the Universal restore feature means you can restore an image to UNLIKE hardware and load drivers -- I use this quite frequently in creating Virtual Machines from an existing windows image.

For things like backups its worth paying - even though I like using opensource or free software when I can get hold of it.

Just think how much it would cost to replace a music library if you didn't have backup.

I'd go for Acronis. It doesn't cost a fortune -- you can get a free trial to see if you like it anyway.

I think the FREE version of paragon is quite hobbled compared with a paid for version in any case.

Cheers
jimbo

Like you, I have been using Acronis for years without any problems at all. Until I installec their latest 2011 version. What a dissaster! The very first time I wanted to restore my system it would not recognize my system drive 0 ! After jumping through hoops with tech support and their support forums I did manage to finally get my system re-installed. Now two weeks later the very same thing happened again! Neither ATI or DD recognizes my system drive. I'm demanding a refund from Acronis for both products and am switching to Paragon. First I'll try their free version and if it works I'll invest in their upgrade version (for which they've offered a 30% discounts since I'm currently using Acronis)

damien76 · 11 Apr 2011

I use DiscWizard even on non-Seagate drive. It can also be used for non-WD drive. The workaround I saw at Seagate forums. Link is here:

http://forums.seagate.com/t5/DiscWiz...hard/m-p/25406

SIW2 said:

The boot discs that come with all the free versions are all Linux based - that includes Acronis and Macrium.

If you are happy with the Paragon app. you can easily make your own pe boot disc.

It is very easy.

You only need the 32 bit 7 install media ( or the 32 bit recovery disc that you run off from within 7 ) and the Paragon app. you already have installed.

--Does this apply to all Paragon apps like the free version or the Paragon Backup and Restore Suite(Twitter version)...? I went to Paragon support and they told me that ONLY paid versions can make the WinPE disc...

"Save yourself a lot of time and make a pe3 disc with Paragon and macrium on it."
--Is there a tutorial around that I can have as guide for this...please..newbie here. I have Paragon Backup and Recovery Free in 1 pc. DiscWizard in one and ATI-WD in another all with Win7 x32. I have Paragon Backup and Restore Suite Twitter edition but have not used it yet.

And, by the way...I am getting an mount/unmount error with Paragon BR free. You'd have to restart to unmount the archive. Saw it also in Wilder's..same problem unsolved there.

SIW2 · 11 Apr 2011

Only the paid versions come with a pre made winpe iso ( separate download from your account ).

However, you can make your own pe boot media and include any of the paragon apps.

I have done it with the Paragon Alignment tool, Paragon Virtualisation manager, Paragon virtual server, and the free B&R 11.

I don't know what the mounting error is you are getting.

I don't mount with Paragon - there is no need - you can see inside the paragon images and copy anything out by using the inbuilt volume explorer, or file transfer wizard.

damien76 · 11 Apr 2011

Hello SIW;

Thanks for the reply.

However, you can make your own pe boot media and include any of the paragon apps.

-- How may I do that...?
-- I read about something here awhile ago about you making a "tool" that can make me a WinPE bootable disk....(but seem not to find it now)...correct? Is it operational now...? Where can I download it..?

I don't mount with Paragon - there is no need - you can see inside the paragon images and copy anything out by using the inbuilt volume explorer, or file transfer wizard.

-- Yeah found that out also (much like DiscWizard..) so the mount/unmount archive issue I am having is no longer an "issue".

Will wait for your reply.

Thanks again :)

DalekOverSeer · 17 Apr 2011

SIW2,

Thanks for all the info throughout the thread. Acronis was driving me a little nuts. Now I have it worked out.

Thanks Again

MSwhip · 01 Jul 2011

Does anyone know if 2 different Backup Capsules could be created inside the same Hard Drive? I would want to save mirror images of 2 different HD (a 2nd and 3rd HD) saved on 2 Capsules on what i would call Disk 1. Anyone has tried it?

Thank you

fergiet · 01 Jul 2011

Another free one is DriveImage . Used it for years and it's been great. Simple, basic but just works.

Worth a look.

stasioau · 05 Sep 2011

To choose program is very individual preference. Personally I like Acronis True Image WD Edition.
Have general question. For me, backup is generally for disaster computer situation when I have Blue Dead Screen and cannot start machine. For that moment in very special place I keep external hard disk with mirage drive: C:: on it.. I know that I have to have boot-able rescue media device like CD-ROM. And BIOS sequence.
Let’s day came and I have do my boot with rescue media. Can somebody please tell what scenario should be done point by point?
Will appreciate
With my best regards

Acronis vs Paragon backup software.

Paragon 2001 Free. I love the Backup Capsule concept