Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

jdac said:

I want a second hard drive with the same thing that I leave disconnected and only connect in event of failure. The idea is to just update this backup drive when needed since most important data is saved to another backed up network hard drive...

I do the following which for me is the fastest way of getting up and running after a full HDD failure. It cost me $55, the price of a Seagate 1TB Barracuda.

Made a Windows image of my system with all key software installed and stable.
Reimaged to the brand new HDD (no prep work). It booted immediately and tested fine.
I keep one for each of my PCs as a cold standby. ie. unplugged.

In case of HDD failure I'm up and running in the time it takes to connect power & sata connectors.
Reimage when time permits to the most recent image ~ 20 min.

If you don't like Windows Imaging you could use free Macrium Reflect but I actually think it takes a little more effort. As far as cloning is concerned - why bother.

Brink certainly may know. I don't.

For what it's worth:
For me it's a moot point. Even though I use Windows imaging all the time, I definitely don't trust multiple images. Multiple images are maintained by storing differencing VHDs in shadow storage. A risky business in my opinion.

I make single images using the "Create a system image" button. Delete move or rename images to retaining multiple full images.
I would be looking at other software if you definitely want differential/incremental imaging.

You can muck about with registry settings and commands if you like.

What is wrong with the slider under system protection ?

Is it not working for you Darryl?

Oh I see.

Adjusting space allocated to windows sys img will allow more images to be kept. But since you can't know how large each will be - there seems to be no way of selecting a specific number of images to be kept.

If you want to specify a number of images - then you will need a commercial app.

Darryl Licht said:

Its just that many small and mid sized businesses are now using a written policy regarding backup and backup retention. Most dedicated backup programs (Acronis, Macrium, etc) allow you to choose how many older images you keep. A big client is implementing such a written policy this year... I'm trying to save them $ and use the included Win7 imaging, but there is no way to stipulate keep the last four weeks images. So we may need to modify our draft backup policy, the idea was to automate the process and have it documented.

You could take a look at Todo.

Business use of the free version is allowed.

http://www.todo-backup.com/business/

There are a couple of limitations - can't be used for server o/s and can't image encrypted volumes from within windows.