Which Backup?

polybear

I recently had a virus scare with my new computer, after spending ages getting it all set up how I wanted it etc etc. I've recently seen backup programs such as True Image 9.0 and Norton Ghost 10.0. Can I use these to keep a copy of my computer setup/programs/files etc. on CD or DVD. so that if ever I did have problems I would have a copy (I'm hoping that the copy would create, in effect, my exact computer setup in another machine, should the worst happen). At one point recently I was dreading the possibility of having to start all over again with my System Restore Disk, followed by all the free security utilities from the internet etc.
If this would work, which one would you use - True Image or Norton? Thanks.

POLYBEAR.

Toxteth_OGrady

Yes you can backup to CD or DVD.

Acronis True Image by a country mile.

:cool:

TOG

wolfman

Second that.

If you look you may be able to find v8 of TrueImage for around £15, instead of the £30 you'd pay for v9. There's not a huge amount of difference between the two unless you're a Linux user.

polybear

Thanks for the replies - Amazon are selling Acronis True Image 9 for £16-97 at the moment, with free postage - there's one on the way...

Polybear

wolfman

albertross wrote:

Question to the Trueimage fans.. Does acronis burn directly to DVD? (Serious question, not sarcasm..).

Yep.

It can handles Linux partitions too. And can setup a secure directory to put your backups so they can't be affected or corrupted by the operating system or other applications. For £16 (as posted above) it's an absolute bargain, well worth paying for if used properly.

Ghost 2003 is what I used to use before switching, it does the job. Acronis can make a backup while in Windows though (which I don't think Ghost could, correct me if I'm wrong). It's also got a lighter and (in my opinion) better boot disc.

Quincy_3

Sometimes I need my head read, I binned acronis V.8 just recently after I got it as a freebie with a PC magazine, Now I know it backs up to CD Im gonna keep me eyes peeled again seen as Version 9 is out.

Someone kick me please :mad:

albertross_2

Ghost 10 (updated Powerquest Drive image) can backup in Windows. But I am old fashioned, and prefer a dos backup method, so still use 2003.., as it has got to be more accurate than backing up a moving target..

wolfman

Quincy wrote:

Sometimes I need my head read, I binned acronis V.8 just recently after I got it as a freebie with a PC magazine, Now I know it backs up to CD Im gonna keep me eyes peeled again seen as Version 9 is out.

I think the freebie version is different. From what I've seen on other forums it's stripped of a few features compared with the Home version that you'd buy in the shops.

You can run backups with TrueImage in DOS. Oh, and another handy thing it also supports is incremental backups. Newer versions of Ghost probably will, although I can't remember Ghost 2003 doing so. 2003 does the job perfectly well though, I only switched as I also use Linux and TrueImage can burn the boot cd for me easily (was always a hassle to make one with Ghost 2003).

Toxteth_OGrady

Also tried all three (Acronis, Ghost and PQ Drive Image).

X-network backup/restore far superior with Acronis. I also like ability to mount images as virtual drives to explore and recover individual files. Emergency boot CD is Linux and presents exactly the same GUI as Windows runtime.

:cool:

TOG

polybear

Just a thought - assuming I use a CD/DVD/USB Pen Drive as the backup media (want I want to do is keep regular copies of my system programs/files/pictures etc. in case it all goes pear-shaped) then presumably if my computer became infected with a virus then the next backup disk would also contain that virus?

If this is the case, then I guess the answer would be to change to a new backup disk frequently, so as not to overwrite the previous "clean" version with virus-infected data. Or am I missing something?

p.s. What (removable) backup media is rated as being the most reliable please? Thanks.

Polybear.

moonrakerz

Some years ago my hard drive "died" and I lost everything on my machine. Since then I have always put a second hard drive in the machine.
18 months ago I had a major virus attack and had to re format my "C" drive to clear it. All my docs, photos, downloaded useful progs, etc, etc were all safe and sound on the other drive.
You don't need any special software to backup, just organise your files well and "copy & paste" periodically.
Well worth considering.