Backup/Restore programs

DEL 707 · 30 Jun 2012 at 14:35

Since I work in IT, I'm the technical support for my family and extended family. Infact I got 2 PC's to work on over this weekend and I want to make my job easier in the future.

Since they don't keep anything important on the PC's, I generally just wiped the virus infected monstrosity and reinstall windows. Generally the machines don't even boot into windows, so restore points are pretty useless.
I remember using some Norton program years ago that let you boot from a CD then load up a backup image from a external drive. Which is exactually what I need, some program that will let me make backup images of these machines after I've installed windows and the drivers.

smithy83 · 30 Jun 2012 at 14:38

i just use the inbuilt windows drive image seems to do the trick it also makes a boot disk when its done

as for the norton thing i guess its norton ghost your looking for

theheyes · 30 Jun 2012 at 15:55

As above, or try Clonezilla.

KIA · 30 Jun 2012 at 16:33

smithy83 said:
i just use the inbuilt windows drive image seems to do the trick it also makes a boot disk when its done

Sortie · 9 Jul 2012 at 11:09

DEL 707 said:
Which is exactually what I need, some program that will let me make backup images of these machines after I've installed windows and the drivers.

Actually, customizable image backup is among the main features of the new Handy Backup 7. Give it a try.

jbloggs · 9 Jul 2012 at 11:36

Acronis True Image Home - Paid for

Macrium Reflect - Free and paid for

EASEUS Todo Backup - Free

koolpc · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:49

I am after an easy, free program to backup files from one external HD to another external HD. Been using synctoy but it keeps leaving loads of 'DAT' files in the HD's! Anyother program you guys can recommend? Thanks

Raumarik · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:03

jbloggs said:
Acronis True Image Home - Paid for

Macrium Reflect - Free and paid for

EASEUS Todo Backup - Free

+1
oh and Norton Ghost is worth a look (not as good as it use to be there)

koolpc said:
I am after an easy, free program to backup files from one external HD to another external HD. Been using synctoy but it keeps leaving loads of 'DAT' files in the HD's! Anyother program you guys can recommend? Thanks

Alternatives:
Start a new thread.
Use the search function
Delete the DAT files (just means it takes longer to sync)
Use Robocopy as mentioned by Bledd here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=19920205&postcount=6

It's essentially a command based version of Synctoy, so cleaner and arguably more reliable as I've seen Synctoy miss files.

koolpc · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:39