"Tuttle" <nospamhere@notarealaddressnospam.gs> wrote in message
news:OcOY39rtIHA.5500@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anonymous" <com@com.com>
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:35 PM
> Subject: Re: Backup/Restore suggestions for XP, and Vista
>
>
>>
>> "dadiOH" <dadiOH@invalid.com> wrote in message
>> news:Ot2vzSntIHA.5268@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> > Anonymous wrote:
>> >> Any suggestions for "complete" backup/restore SW for XP
>> >> Pro? And that can be eventually migrated to Vista?
>> >>
>> >> I need "complete" backup/restore for data retention, image
>> >> recovery, boot restore, (int)(ext)ernal large HD, and (E)-
>> >> SATA support.
>> >>
>> >> The obvious answers, Acronis and Ghost, seem not to have
>> >> unanimously glowing feedback on Amazon.
>> >>
>> >> Or, are the feedback just flawed?
>
> All backup software will have some negative feedback, imaging software
> even
> moreso.
>
> I've used several tools over the years. My current favourite is Acronis
> True
> Image Home.
>
> Acronis True Image Home can do a complete image of your drive, so in the
> event of a drive failure you just install a replacement drive and restore
> your recent image to the new drive. Everything will be exactly as you left
> it before the old drive failed: Windows (or whatever OS you use), all
> applications, all your settings and config, all your data.
>
> Or, you can use Acronis True Image Home to backup just your documents and
> settings, or just specific files, or whatever you want. You can schedule
> automated backups, can do full, incremental and differential backups, etc.
> It's a great tool that has saved me a few times.
>
>
>



I've had similar replies, including the suggestion to use the
Acronis Workstation version, rather than Home.

Like you, my years of Ntbackup usage have been quite
positive, meeting all my needs for a backup.

However, although Ntbackup will easily protect against
accidental loss, it is either unable, or quite cumbersome
at providing recovery, or bare metal restore.

I have to admit that the backup product from CMS looks
quite attractive though. Because I like the idea of simply
rebooting the backup image for a quick recovery. Watch
this video:
http://www.cmsproducts.com/video/desktop_backup.html

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with E/SATA, and support
would require my upgrade. But, I'd get the functionality
described, in addition to the significantly higher speeds.

One of the Amazon reviewers complaints on Acronis TI
Home was that E/SATA was not currently supported. I
guess I would've thought a backup product would simply
rely on the OS for peripheral access.

I'm currently investigating this "boot from backup" on an
external drive issue. What it takes? (E/SATA, Firewire,
etc?), and what I've have to upgrade. But, I like the idea.

Not only is it easier, but simple testing of a crash recovery
requires no intermediate restore. Much less exposure to
error.

Additionally, because the backup image is stored in native
format(non-composite), even lost file restores are easier.
And FAT limitations are avoided for users of that archi-
tecture.

Thanks.