Take multiple full system image backups

tempid159 said:

polarbear said:

I have been testing Paragon Backup and Recovery for a few months now and have backup my system and restored it every which way... Worth the look and the read... GL :)

I just checked their website (http://www.paragon-software.com/prod...backuprecovery) and its $69.95. I am looking for something free. :)

Guess I got lucky as it was free a few months ago... :)

tempid,
I've been doing some testing lately with Acronis True Image Home 2010. This product will do what you are looking for but this product is also not free.

I use Macrium Reflect Free. The web site doesn't mention the free version but it is available at CNET.

Macrium Reflect Free - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

When you save the image you select a name and it adds it to the same folder. I have 3 images on my system.

Jim

Here you go Paragon is free today... Hope you catch this before the offer expires... GL :)

give this a shot

when you go to replace an image scan for images. it should bring up all images. (i think that i have done it this way)

i did the same thing - I system imaged my computer at basic and then with everything installed to dvd. I now create a system image once a week to an external drive. I move the old image to a new folder then create the new on onto the drive. Works fine.

just remembered - If you move the file/folder to another location (usb) and the computer doesn't see it and you want to put this image on. Copy the file/folder to your desktop. For some reason it will then work. This is how i managed to do it in the past.

But I want 2 copies of the backups just to be safe.

get 2 external drives :P
backing up to the same drive is indeed a #fail

Windows wants to see a valid image folder [WindowsImageBackup] in the root of a partition. I use a number of partitions but more importantly rename to something like WindowsImageBackup_12_11_10 and store as many as I like. Once renamed windows imaging will act like they don't exist and a fresh image can be made.
Simply rename back to windowsimagebackup and provided the image was valid in the first place, the image restore will recognise it and restore it. Also:
1) I only make one image (ie. I don't image over an existing image)
2) Renaming in prime root folder is easy to do from the system repair disk
3) I have recovered from a renamed root image folder without problem.

I think poking down deeper towards the vhd file or files is risky.

It's true you gain more flexibility by using the two other preferred free apps Macrium and Paragon 10, however you can do what you want as Richard said by simply placing the whole backup folder WindowsImageBackup into another folder with the date and your code name for it.

When you are ready to use it, remove it from the folder and place it in the root of the external.

Or you can rename it, but as Michael says it must be named back to exactly WindowsImageBackup to be detected.

Do not mess with the contents of the sub-folders.