Best 'System Restore' software?

HeX

HeX

HeX

Soldato
Joined
20 Jun 2004
Posts
12,023
Location
Huddersfield, UK
Basically I've put a rig together for the father in law, and I want to make an image of the system before I hand it over.

Then if he totally destroys the install all he has to do is boot from the DVD image and it'll rebuild the original setup. (much like store bought PC's have).

What is the best bit of software for doing this?

I want it to be as simple as possible for him, so something that can create a bootable restore image would be great.
 
Another vote for Acronis TI. :D

However, dont trust it's ability to back up to removable media such as DVDR discs. It's flipping hopeless at doing so without errors. :rolleyes:

If you backup to DVDR and even only one of the discs has an error on it, you are royaly screwed. It will even tell you that everything was fine with the backup to the discs but when you attempt to restore it, you may well find it doesn't want to play.

It's a cracking piece of software, Acronis TI. But if you are carrying out a complete backup of a drive then make sure you use either a partition on yer hard drive or hook up a USB or Firewire external drive enclosure and back it all up to there. :cool:
 
Cheers for the help, i'll grab Acronis :)


So the best thing to do then is to make a backup image to the 2nd partition, then if the rig becomes unusable he can boot from the 'Acronis Bootable Media' and point at the backup image and restore?
 
HeX said:
Oh ho ho!

Now that'll save a few pennies! Nicely done :D

EDIT : Looks like their site is acting up, won't let me submit my details, or create an account. Bah, i'll try again later.
Click to expand...

I applied a few days ago and haven't had any registration details sent through yet but apparently thats the norm. You shouldn't have to create an account, simply fill in the form.
 
Check the recent "Free Acronis" thread HERE.

There are a few different links in there that may still work, that's where I got my download a registration etc.
 
Got it all yesterday and it works a treat.

I created an account, then used the free key link, clicked on the e-mail to confirm, my key was then automatically tied to my account.

Grabbed the installation media, bunged they key in, and jobs a good'un.

PC now has the 'Press F11 to Restore' option at boot, and a nice 40GB hidden restore partition with the basic OS, Drivers, Utils install saved to it.

Sorted.

Thanks for the help people :)
 
HeX said:
Cheers for the help, i'll grab Acronis :)


So the best thing to do then is to make a backup image to the 2nd partition, then if the rig becomes unusable he can boot from the 'Acronis Bootable Media' and point at the backup image and restore?
Click to expand...
Bear in mind that backing up to a partition on the same physical drive doesn't protect you against the whole drive failing. I personally have two images of my system at any one time, one on a physically separate drive in my PC, and one on an external HDD. With 55Gb of photos to protect (and my goolies from the Wife if they were ever lost) it's the safest option!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom