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System Imaging Tool W7
What is the best tool to make an image of C: Drive ? The one included with W7 Home Premium or Acronis TrueImage Home 2010.
My reason for asking will become clear in future posts.:)
System Imaging Tool W7
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New #2
My vote Acronis True Image Home. More flexible, bullet proof, can convert win 7 backups to its format and back, etc
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New #3
Most experts agree with our own expert,ZIGZAG3143. I have read every comparison review I could find and they all say Acronis is best. I have used it myself. But, after reading their forums I have my doubts.
I am now using the free scaled down version of Acronis from Western Digital and Seagate. I also use Seagate's Replica (which I can assure you - it works) and free Macrium. I just figure with all three of those on different external HDs I am pretty safe.
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New #4
Thanks zigzag3143 & essenbe, my short explanation re backing up is using 'one click' to location of my choice whenever I make a change or a program gets updated. Back up time, under 6 minutes, size under 5gb.
My C: Drive is 45gb, contains only installed programs and copies of some pictures, everything else is stored on 3 external hdd's.
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New #5
There is no best - I think. But there is definitely a worst - and that is Windows7 imaging. I use free Macrium and never had a problem. It is easy to use, fast and reliable, plus it is free.
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New #7
I use several just to be safe. Macrium is fast. My C Drive takes 3 minutes & 40 Sec. for a backup. However, the real issue in imaging is not speed, cost or size. The real issue is will it restore your drive when needed - reliability. That is the question that is most important. It does not make any difference if it takes 20 minutes to do a backup if you know for certain it will work when needed.
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New #8
Everybody has their favourite and some have pet hates.
I believe in using two separate imaging programs for security and at least 2 separate backup drives.
I personally use
1) Windows native imaging. I've made ~ 15 images with it restored at least 6 times including once directly to a new HDD. Put in the virgin new HDD did an image restore. Came back Windows was sitting there asking for a login.
2) I also use Macrium Reflect (free edition at this stage). All images have verified. Restored once just to test it. It's a bit more flexible in terms of partition choice.
Macrium images on my system in the same time as windows imaging +- 5%.
Macrium restores much slower to a large partition (under 20% full).
Both have been reliable for me but mainly use Windows because it reimages faster. I don't trust either 100%.
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New #9
mjf, I agree with your backup philosophy. I use 3 different backup programs rotating between different externals (don't trust them either).
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