Most Fool-Proof Method for Hard Drive Backup / Imaging?

[rbena]

Do it whichever way works best for you.

The main point is to create a backup system that fits your requirements, and that you can rely upon absolutely.

I use a method that allows 2 minute backups to external media during the day to minimize valuable data loss while working, and a 5 minute incremental backup at the end of the day. I simply do not have 45 minutes for cloning a drive, especially when travelling. My OS partition remains pretty much unchanged, and if ever needed I can restore my OS partition in 5 minutes via a DVD boot image. I do this routinely every two months, to purge the 'excess file build-up' in the OS partition, and optimize system performance.

[PhilD]

this is an update in case anyone with a similar problem stumbles on this thread in the future...

to recap, i was unsuccessful in either cloning or imaging/restoring my T61 Windows Vista harddrive to a Lenovo replacement harddrive (same capacity as original) installed either internally or in an ultrabay adapter. in all cases, upon reboot i was presented with either a blinking cursor, or an error message stating that windows cannot load \Windows\System32\Winload.exe.

i have found (with some help, i admit it) that the case where the error message above appears can be easily corrected - if you have a Windows Vista installation DVD. apparently the error message results from a corrupted MBR. you can repair the MBR by booting with a Windows Vista DVD and selecting repair (not install) from the menu. but wait, you say, my licensed copy of Windows Vista was preinstalled on my ThinkPad and Lenovo does not provide the original media. well, don't despair, Windows includes a recovery disc creation utility in /windows/system32/recdisc.exe. before you run that handy little program, you should know that (in Vista SP1 at least), that utility has been disabled.

fortunately a number of folks have been kind enough to post a bootable Windows Vista recovery disk ISO online (created using recdisc.exe in Vista SP1 Beta). you can download the version i used to successfully repair my imaged/restored T61 harddrive at the link posted below. please note that this utility provides a recovery capability only, you cannot install a copy of windows using it, so don't even think of clicking the install button (though i have no idea what will happen if you do, just that it won't install windows).

after hanging out in Acronis' Wilder's Security forums, i have reason to believe that TrueImage version 11 and above may correct this problem automatically, but i haven't had the courage to purchase the latest version after reading all the problems posted in that forum.

http://c4consulting.com.au/soluctions/v ... CTIONS.htm

[eecon]

After hanging out in Acronis' Wilder's Security forums, i have reason to believe that TrueImage version 11 and above may correct this problem automatically, but i haven't had the courage to purchase the latest version after reading all the problems posted in that forum.

http://c4consulting.com.au/soluctions/v ... CTIONS.htm

Now you're talkin' ..... go with 11 or higher (especially with Vista)

[PhilD]

Now you're talkin' ..... go with 11 or higher (especially with Vista)

do you use it (v11 or v2009)? does it work? i know the majority of folks who frequent support forums (like Acronis' on Wilder's Security Forums) are people experiencing problems, but man, the number of folks with issues using the newer versions sure seems excessive...

[rbena]

Acronis is a great tool, and it's often a case of finding which version works reliably for your hardware and OS. Some of the problems are with particular systems and are not widespread, where other problems are general and affect most users. I guess my concern with trying newer versions is, finding there is a problem when I go to -restore- an image at a later date.

I would recommend downloading a trial version and see if it performs well with your system. I have found versions 9-2337 and 10-4942 to be reliable, and these also have a good track record with other users. Good luck.

[pae77]

Most of the problems with Acronis that users encounter seem to involve issues with restoring from .tib files. Using the cloning utility avoids such issues entirely.

I should point out that cloning is only part of the back up solution for me, albeit a big part. I do also back up certain critical data files to external media more frequently than I clone my entire hard drive. But I just don't feel safe without a fairly recent clone of my entire hard drive on hand. In the event of problems, it can be a huge time saver to be able just swap in a hard drive with a recent clone of your total installation, and then just update a few things from there as may be necessary.

[rbena]

Interesting comment about .TIB (image) files, which should expand and deploy the same information that a clone saves in native format. Perhaps issues occur when imaging certain OS and hardware configurations, vs cloning?

I also backup of my OS infrequently, as it rarely changes. However, imaging my OS to a single compressed image file allows convenient storage onto CD / DVD / USB flash memory - and quick OS recovery in under 3 minutes.

But cloning an OS has absolutely an advantage, if it makes some versions of Acronis more reliable.

[pae77]

It (cloning) just removes one layer of potential problems that a user might or might not encounter at a cost of requiring a bit more time (to image the entire drive vs incremental backups) and needing an extra drive to clone to.

Either way, I think Acronis beats Rescue & Recovery.