Whats the best and easiest way to backup your system?

metomeyametomeya New
edited November 2007 in Science & Tech
Finally have my system exactly the way I want it, but now I want a good backup for it.


I usually have a DVD with My Documents on it, but when I want to do a restore I have to reinstall Windows, all the software I've ever downloaded, updates, setup my Icons, etc., takes like a whole day!!!


Any better solutions for a fast backup and restore???

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Acronis TrueImage
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2007
    I've recently discovered Driveimage XML which is a free image backup/recovery software that will work on a live system.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    I was going to recommend the same as Kryyst. Lifehacker.com just did a feature on it the other day, looks to be pretty straightforward and easy to do.

    Hot Image your HD with DriveImage XML.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Wish it could make bootable DVDs, but that's very cool.
  • metomeyametomeya New
    edited November 2007
    I don't know, Images are cool.....but if i did an image now it would include all the bugs and junk that has come over time.

    This probably doesn't exist but is there something that will install windows with all my updates, install all my software, and folder settings all in one bang?
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    That's why you do a fresh install, setup everything you want, and make an image.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2007
    metomeya wrote:
    I don't know, Images are cool.....but if i did an image now it would include all the bugs and junk that has come over time.

    This probably doesn't exist but is there something that will install windows with all my updates, install all my software, and folder settings all in one bang?

    No, you can't get one without the other. Most of the bugs are from messed up software updates and things that are left in from updates etc.... It'd have no real way of separating the wheat from the shaft.

    If you have 2 computers you can do a migration (never tried it myself) in which it'll look at what you had on your old system and then start to recreate all the programs on your new system and it'll prompt you for the various program disks and install files as needed. However I can't imagine that it'd be a fun way to do it.
  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Just popped up on Digg: http://lifehacker.com/software/feature/hot-image-your-pcs-hard-drive-with-driveimage-xml-326086.php
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    That DriveImage XML appears to be excellent, if it performs as advertised.
    Since this program is currently distributed as freeware, we don't offer technical support for it. Please refer to the program's help file and documentation.
    Looks like they are getting their name known and will then make it a for-sale product.

    EDIT: duh, ok, it already is trialware for free downloads. That is pretty cool though, the ability to hot image a drive. Acronis can't do that. In my experience though, Acronis is bulletproof.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    kryyst wrote:
    No, you can't get one without the other. Most of the bugs are from messed up software updates and things that are left in from updates etc.... It'd have no real way of separating the wheat from the shaft.

    This is totally anal of me, but the phrase is "separate the wheat from the chaff." I'd hate to see you use it correctly when it's such a great phrase, but get looked down on or something just because it was just a misunderstood spelling. Perfect usage, and a great analogy.

    That said, I too use Acronis TrueImage. In fact, I used it today to migrate off of RAID0 onto a single volume. It is, indeed, completely bulletproof. I have never, not once, had anything fail when I've used Acronis. The bootable rescue media rocks, the scheduled backups rock, the SecureZone rocks. No possible way for you to screw up your backups in the SZ. Rock solid.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2007
    MJancaitis wrote:
    This is totally anal of me, but the phrase is "separate the wheat from the chaff." I'd hate to see you use it correctly when it's such a great phrase, but get looked down on or something just because it was just a misunderstood spelling. Perfect usage, and a great analogy.

    As soon as I wrote that I knew that I wasn't using the correct word, I meant to go back and fix it, but I got sidetracked. Fortunately, I wasn't to worried about being ridiculed for using an incorrect word, that still largely fits.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Leonardo wrote:
    That DriveImage XML appears to be excellent, if it performs as advertised. Looks like they are getting their name known and will then make it a for-sale product.

    EDIT: duh, ok, it already is trialware for free downloads. That is pretty cool though, the ability to hot image a drive. Acronis can't do that. In my experience though, Acronis is bulletproof.

    I imaged my C:\ drive with Acronis when the OS was running...
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Oh. I've done several images of C:\. Each time it required a reboot. Must be due to stuff running in the background.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    NiGHTS wrote:
    I was going to recommend the same as Kryyst. Lifehacker.com just did a feature on it the other day, looks to be pretty straightforward and easy to do.

    Hot Image your HD with DriveImage XML.
    Keebler wrote:
    Just popped up on Digg: http://lifehacker.com/software/feature/hot-image-your-pcs-hard-drive-with-driveimage-xml-326086.php

    Please turn in your badge and coding gun at the door, sir. You are relieved of duty for the day.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    Ooooooh. <i>Burn</i>.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited November 2007
    I've been picking on Keebs, lately. Which is a bad idea. :(
  • cautionmarkcautionmark
    edited November 2007
    Save all your important **** to disk/image ( not your reg ) do a freshy and import it all back.
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