Vista Full Imaging Solution (Backup/Restore)? | The Coffeehouse

BeSharp

Can anybody recommend a full imaging solution for Windows Vista which would allow me to backup (incrementally would be best) my full local drives c/d/e to a 2 TB external USB drive and allow me to fully restore everything?

Dr Herbie
Horses for courses

You could do a 'simple' backup using synctoy which has an 'echo' feature to synchronise two drives. It doesn't compress or anything, but it compares timestamps and only replaces updated file.

I use that in conjunction with Vista's built-in backup\restore for a dual backup system to external USB drives.

Herbie

BeSharp

In reply to Dr Herbie

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 5:39 AM

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Most of the reviews out there recommend Acronis True Image 11 Workstation. Anybody using it?

blowdart
Peek-a-boo

In reply to BeSharp

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 5:44 AM

Yup, I used to use it before home server. Restored well, which is always important Big Smile

ZippyV
Fired Up

In reply to BeSharp

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 5:44 AM

Windows Vista can make images of your harddrive.

PerfectPhase
"This is not war, this is pest control!" - Dalek to Cyberman

In reply to BeSharp

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 5:44 AM

I'm protecting my parents PC with it with incrementals. Had to fully recover it once so far and it worked flawlessly and was quick and easy. Also very easy to recover single files.

NitzWalsh

In reply to ZippyV

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 10:35 AM

Only Business/Enterprise/Ultimate can do a "full PC Restore/Backup" unfortunately.

Sigh..another good Vista feature removed for home users. MS marketing has more to answer for that the dearth of ads.

AndyC

In reply to NitzWalsh

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 3:09 PM

Agreed. The insane thing about it is that businesses and especially enterprise users are probably the ones most likely to have a better solution already.

P.S. i'd throw in a recommendation for Retrospect from EMCInsignia, but I've not used it for Vista as WHS has that covered for now.

figuerres
???

In reply to BeSharp

#Aug 6th, 2008 @ 5:44 AM

SO far I have not had to do a restore but I use Acronis to backup my laptop.

Oh, setup:

SOny Laptop with an Express /34 card that does E-SATA, 2 drives on tap, 500 Gig and 200 Gig for backups and storage at home.
also a 300 G firewire drive at work, the classic "Tell me 3 times" if you ever read any R.A.H. books Smiley