There are too many back-up programs on the Market

[JerometheGiraff]

There are too many back-up programs on the Market. Brink do you know any three that you can swear by, whether they are commercial or freeware ? Bets are on that ease of use and power, are probably commercial.

 

[Brink]

Hello Chris,

I like the built-in Windows Backup and System Image features. I have found it to be reliable, but others have had issues with it not be reliable at time. Personally, if you do not modify or mess with the backup, then it should be fine.

Macrium Reflect is another great free 3rd party program for backups.

 

[Layback Bear]

I know you asked Brink but I also use Windows 7 built in with no problems. When Windows 7 can do something I don't go looking for something that may or may not work.

 

[profdlp]

What type of backups are you trying to do, where do you want to back them up to, and how much data is involved?

 

[GeneO]

I also use both Windows 7 and Macrium with no problems I have done lots of restores with both, but more with Macrium,

Macrium does an image backup faster.

I would not recommend true-image.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Brink do you know any three that you can swear by

To paraphrase a former President of the United States, that depends on what your definition of "swear by" is.

To me, "swear by" implies a very, very high degree of reliability.

A review of this forum would lead you to believe that none of the imaging products have a "very, very high degree of reliability".

However, your definition of "swear by" may mean "it usually works" or "it works 9 times out of 10" or "it works more often than the other products". In which case, take your pick and cross your fingers.

You should prepare for and assume the application of your choice will fail when you need it. I use imaging, but refuse to rely on it.

Backup products that don't use imaging are another matter. They are more reliable, but I have the feeling you are referring to imaging.

 

[KatanaDV20]

Im very happy with Macrium, I use the free version a lot and its fast and has a nice UI. I like how you can browse an image in Windows Explorer. You just mount it and browse away. So handy if you just wanna recover a few lost files or something.

 

[mjf]

All you can do is reduce the risk of not being able to reimage. The risk will never be absolutely zero but you can make it very small.

I personally use what Brink has recommended. I actively use and recover using Windows built in imaging and Macrium Reflect.

If you are risk averse then it is best to image / backup to more than one external HDD. These things do fail. For backup, in my opinion, 2 smaller external HDDs are better than 1 large (even if the $/byte is higher).

 

[DavidE]

I use Acronis and it works well for me.
I don't use a lot of the "advanced" features.
I manually create a backup image for a single OS partition as needed.

I tried the Windows backup, but didn't care for it.
I have multi-boot PC's, and I didn't find a way to backup a single OS partition.
It always backed up all OS partitions, and the backup image was very large.
(I only needed to backup a single OS)

Recently I started testing Macrium free.
For people I help, most have no backups, or understand the need for them.
Windows backup may not be an option, depending on their OS.
While WD or Seagate Acronis free may be an option, i'm wondering if that is the best choice.

If someone has a WD HD, uses WD Acronis free, the HD dies and is replaced with a Samsung, could the WD Acronis free image be restored?

I don't know for sure, and have no way of testing this now...

For a multi computer family I think it might be better for them to use the same program (Macrium free) for everyone/all PC's.
That might help avoid confusion for them using/learning different programs on different PC's.

I don't recommend using any program to anyone until i have tested it and have confidence in it.
Thus, I'm learning/testing Macrium on my test box.

 

[mjf]

If someone has a WD HD, uses WD Acronis free, the HD dies and is replaced with a Samsung, could the WD Acronis free image be restored?

Good question.
It may not be an issue since WD & Seagate appear to be cornering the market with takeovers. (yes including Samsung).

 

[SIW2]

In theory, they want you to buy the Acronis product to do the restore.

However, you can persuade the brand tied versions to work - even if you don't have one of those HD's still functioning - (at least you can with the Seagate/Acronis app.)

Otherwise, you could get the trial version of the regular Acronis - the trial cd allows restores.

All the well known companies do that with the trial versions.

 

[DavidE]

Thanks mjf and SIW2 for the info / reply's.

I hate to hijack a thread or post a wall of text...

But, if you want a chuckle here's what got me thinking about this.

My nephew's PC had problems, i was called, figured out it was HD problem.
It's a Toshiba laptop, with a Toshiba HD...
I managed to get Toshiba recovery disks created, and the HD was replaced under warranty...
I don't even know if the replacement is a Toshiba HD.

This experience made my sister realize "this is not good"...
So, now i'm trying to figure out a "Backup Plan" for them.
I don't know what all PC's are involved, what type of HD's, and OS's...

From what I have read on the Acronis forum, they only guarantee 1 version back to restore an image.
WD and Segate Acronis are based on Acronis TI 2009(last i checked), and the current version is TI 2012...
So, 2012 TI may not be able to restore a TI 2009 image... again, i don't know

I'm working remote via Teamviewer on this.

 

[mjf]

There is no one size fits all. I won't bother repeating earlier comments.
If I had to pick one imaging package and only one:
- Macrium Reflect (free or paid with the additional features). Even though I actually also use Windows own imaging. This is the Company's core capability and they have been in the business a long time.

- I would image once every 2-4 weeks. In addition after a significant new install (eg. just installed an upgrade to Photoshop, then image).
- Keep early (virgin) images to avoid a complete clean install.
- Be prepared to "boldly" delete intermediate images to conserve HDD space.
- Backup documents, photos etc initially with drag & drop to another media. Then decide on a file/folder backup program that suites you. Try them.
- Take control.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

How is Macrium ReDeploy ? What does Macrium mean by Dynamic Disk Support & GPT Disk Support ?

 

[Area66]

I have quite few PC here, the one of the house are backup by my WHS 2011 and the One of my business are backup by my SBS2011 , Since my shop is in the building next my house the shop server is in the house and the house server in the shop, so it give me a protection in case of fire. I also use GoodSync to Sync the files on my house personal PC and my WS in my Shop, another redudency as you can see in this pic, you have the dashboard , the launchpad and even remote desktop already setup inthe server.

 

[wanchoo]

Perhaps there are so many back up programs because backing up is of vital importance. To find out what is best please try out a few yourself and choose the one that you start liking the most.

There are too many back-up programs on the Market. Brink do you know any three that you can swear by, whether they are commercial or freeware ? Bets are on that ease of use and power, are probably commercial.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Several Seagate externals came loaded with a limited time free version of Memeo sync and I loved it till it ended. I held off and held off looking for something as light quick and comprehensive. I finally called and bought a 5 machine business license and I'm freaking loving life.
Access and sync files and folders for your business - Memeo AutoSync