What do you use for beta testing software?

[mrhero]

A lot of people at wilders doing beta tests, I want to learn what are you using for that pupose?

[WSFuser]

although i do have true image, i dont necessarily use it for beta testing.

i only have one computer with each of my parents, so if theres a beta i want to try i will install it.

if i dont like it, i will simply uninstall it. if it does break windows and i cant uninstall it, then and only then will i resort to using true image.

[Peter2150]

I rely on First Defense-ISR. So far it has reliably bailed me out of trashed system. As a fall back I rely on IFD/IFW

Pete

[divedog]

First Defense

[beetlejuice69]

FDISR here too.

[TonyW]

FD-ISR here too.

[ErikAlbert]

I'm not really a beta-tester, but my assumption is that any new software can break my system and it happened in the past.
So I always have an image backup file ready when I start playing with new softwares.
Like Peter, I use FirstDefense-ISR for immediate system recovery and when that doesn't help, I use Acronis True Image like pvsurfer to recover my complete system. In most cases a simple reboot is enough to save my system.

It makes you feel invincible, but that is just a psychological problem, one of the side-effects of using FDISR & ATI together. ;)

[TonyW]

The idea behind using something like FD-ISR to test beta software is that one snapshot can be set up purely for that purpose. I have one such snapshot for testing various builds of KIS. This isn't just for recovery purposes.

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "The idea behind using something like FD-ISR to test beta software is that one snapshot can be set up purely for that purpose. I have one such snapshot for testing various builds of KIS. This isn't just for recovery purposes." }-

Also quite true, but the disaster recovery seems to get your attention more.

[furballi]

My OS primary active C partition is only 900MB. All other programs/data/personal folders and pagefile reside in another extended logical partition. I image the active C partition PRIOR to loading the BETA application. When done with the evaluation, I simply restore the image file of the active C partition.

It takes about 40 seconds to image or restore this C partition using Bootit NG. With this setup, I can test the compatibility of the BETA application with all other proggies on my PC.

[herbalist]

For me, the correct answer to the poll question would be a combination of several of the choices, so I chose other. I only have one PC, but I have several hard drives with operating systems and varying amounts of software on them. By switching to different primary master drives, my single PC is both my primary unit and test rig. I also use Acronis to copy the different setups onto the drives as I need them. These are stored on either my external hard drive or on CDRWs, depending on what I'm doing. When I'm testing security apps/configurations, the external drive is disconnected from the PC. It's not the arrangement I'd like to use but it's the best I can do with the hardware I have. A bit inconvenient, but it gets the job done.
Rick

[the Tester]

I use our primary computer with DriveImageXML,although I haven't tried a restore yet.
I'm fairly selective in beta programs that I test.I seldom take a really new beta.I wait until reviews or feedback are available,unless it's a developer that I trust from previous experience.

I may be using my wife's old computer for beta testing in the future.Just have to pick it up.;)

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
Well I use more than a single option:
VMware and dedicated beta machine, primarily.
ShadowSurfer, sometimes.
Mrk

[Meriadoc]

More than one.

At home : VMWorkstation, a test machine, Firstdefence ISR, Imaging.

Working : VM Subscription, a test machine, Imaging.

[Brian N]

FD-ISR here ;D
Argh clicked the wrong voting button.. So scratch one from 'other' and put it up in FD-ISR ;)

[Eldar]

Depends on what I'm testing.
If I'm testing an antivirus, firewall or any other security app, I would use FD-ISR. 8)

If I'm installing a new alpha/beta app (other then those mentioned above), I just install it on my drive. :)
Of course always having an image ready, just in case.

Do have to reinstall Windows anyway soon during my vacation. ;D

[Acadia]

FirstDefense-ISR! 8)

Acadia

[Notok]

I use a separate machine with drive imaging software. For more finished software (that I'm confident is relatively stable) I will install it on my everyday machine, which still has disk image and standard data backups.

[phasechange]

Acronis True Image... I have incremental backups which are done at shutdown and stored on a dedicated ASZ drive. I also have external images as a Plan B :)

Fairy

[nicM]

I'm very satisfied with Rollback Rx Pro, which is MISSING in this poll ! :o and has never let me down so far. Solid as rock for me ;D .

nicM

[mrhero]

-{ Quote: "I'm very satisfied with Rollback Rx Pro, which is MISSING in this poll ! :o and has never let me down so far. Solid as rock for me ;D .

nicM" }-

You can select "Sandbox/Snapshot Software" .

[tansu]

I use vmware for testing purposes, not only for beta softwares, but all softwares new to me..

[wilbertnl]

FirstDefense-ISR, FirstDefense-ISR, FirstDefense-ISR, FirstDefense-ISR, FirstDefense-ISR...

[Heco]

RestoreIT, RestoreIT, RestoreIT, RestoreIT, RestoreIT, RestoreIT... LOL
Cheers,
Hervé

[HJam72]

The only thing beta on my PC is Windows XP and everytime I uninstall it my freaking computer stops running! >:(

[crofttk]

I start usually with an IFW or IFD image, then use FD-ISR to copy my working primary snapshot into a new snapshot for installing and running the BETA application. If I have time, like in the BETA I'm currently in, I'll also set up a virgin WinXP snapshot with nothing but WinXP and FD-ISR to see if any problems I have with the BETA program in the "working" snapshot are duplicated in the virgin snapshot.

[Dina]

I have acronis true image and shadowuser. Id like to try FDISR but my single disk is in fat32. Old slow computer here :-[ Still saving for that new one.

Would it be alright to convert my 40Gig hd to ntfs? only got 1ghz cpu and 384RAM I read somewhere nfts might slow things down.

[furballi]

NTFS is a little slower than FAT32. Use BING to image your data BEFORE the conversion to NTFS. Always plan for the worst case scenario.

[JuniorSZ]

'Another PC dedicated to beta test'

I test + play for a few weeks .. If stable and usefull [software] get's moved to 'main pc's'

[progress]

Another PC dedicated to beta tests, mostly for browser tests :)

[AKAJohnDoe]

I consider all software to be beta. Therefore, I rely upon well-tested backup and restore processes (multiple processes, as all software is beta).

[Osaban]

I very rarely beta test anything, except lately Windows 7 for which I created an image with ShadowProtect. Testing normal software I use FD PC Rescue, I don't like left overs if I decide to uninstall it. I also use Shadow Defender with the occasional scanner, download - scan - reboot - it's gone.

[chrisretusn]

-{ Quote: "I consider all software to be beta. Therefore, I rely upon well-tested backup and restore processes (multiple processes, as all software is beta)." }-:thumb: :thumb:

I checked "My primary PC with no protection (I haven't got anything to loose )"

Yes I do have things to loose; however, I have no special programs or "protection" installed for beta testing. Why should I? Just as AKAJohnDoe, I rely on well-tested backup and restore processes that I would use regardless.

I believe the best way to beta test is through daily use, what better way to do that than on computers that I use on a daily basis.

[blacknight]

It depends: if I have to try a new software, also only as trial, to decide if I want to use it, I use a snapshots software or True Image Acronis. If I had to test a security sw against rootkit or malware, I use a Virtual Machine and in the VM I run the virtual system in Returnil or SandBoxie.

And then I 've deleted the VM, as I'm a bit paranoid, ;D ;D I restore a previous TIA disk image. ;D :)

[icr]

FirstDefense ISR
Shadow Defender

[Mr.PC]

I use Snapshots with Rollback Rx

[tpro]

Imaging Software :thumb:

[tipo]

snapshots software - Comodo Time Machine!

[Fad]

Used to have 2 pcs running side by side with KVM switch, and dual booting on each also, but now I simply don`t have the time or the energy to bother....I now have a smaller desk as a result ;)

Single PC now, install & uninstall without worrying....with Macrium as a fallback.

[Rampastein]

One of my primary PCs.. I have my important data stored on multiple PCs, so losing one temporarily doesn't hurt, and OS inbuilt tools like Windows "System state" backups and System Restore have always saved me in case a beta software has caused something more serious.

[Woodgiant]

To test antivirus software I primemerly use WMware, and sometimes I test on a clean laptop,mostly because it is my experience that not all software works equally well in visualise environment. The Laptop is restored using a driveimage. This year I have just tested one AV-vendor, Comodo V5 and it performed surprisingly well.:)

[J_L]

Virtual Machines.

[Daveski17]

I am running the SeaMonkey & Firefox betas on my old laptop. They are pretty stable. I don't use them much though, I am just curious in how they are being developed.

[noone_particular]

Whether it's "beta" or not doesn't matter. Whenever I install or test new software, I make a full system backup beforehand. The uninstallers that come with software rarely remove everything, especially in the registry. Relying on uninstallers usually leaves you with extra files and useless registry entries that may or may not cause problems, but the gradual buildup of junk will start slowing your PC down. Uninstallers rarely reset your default handlers back to the settings you started with. Often they drop you back to a default setting that may not be what you had. With full system backups, I get back the exact same system I started with.

For the actual testing, I use both virtual and real systems. The exact setup will vary depending on just what kind of software I'm testing. When I was beta testing System Safety Monitor for example, I used 2 setups. One was close to what I would call a typical setup for the operating system. The other was my default multiboot system which was completely different.

[Tarnak]

I run just this computer, for all software, beta or otherwise. No VM's ;)

[Boyfriend]

I use Virtual PC for all testing purposes. If Virtual PC cannot be used, then I backup my computer and use it instead with certain limitations and extensive care/monitoring/logging.

[Cutting_Edgetech]

Virtual Machines or light Virtualization. VMware, Citrix, Shadow Defender, Shadow User.

[superhacker]

I have 4 PCs(3 Desktops and one laptop)and use the oldest one for testing
1 gb ram intel celeron 3GHz 256 nVidia<with windows XP
For malware analyzing i use Virtual PC

[xandros]

Imaging Software - Acronis

[ExtremeGamerBR]

Using Virtual Box.

[bigc73542]

Depending on the type of software I am Beta testing I will usually test it on my primary machine.

[Noob]

Virtual machine, i don't have funds or a spare PC for a separate machine but if i did have either of those it would be A DAMN LOT BETTER ;D

[Creer]

I prefer imaging software for beta testing.

[SirPeterPan]

Primary PC, for two reasons:

- I really don't have anything to lose - all is properly backed up/protected (even if my entire city gets nuclear bombed, my important data will remain safe :D);

- When beta testing, I like to work with the software like if it was in RTM version - with daily usage and everything else associated. That's the best way to find relevant bugs anyways.

[nikanthpromod]

once i used Rollback RX
Then i used Drive snapshot
Then i used Shadow defender
Now im using my primary OS. Nothing to loose;)

[icr]

VMware or Virtual Box in most of the cases and Rollback RX or CTM

[Ibrad]

Normally I wait a beta or two then install on my primary netbook. Before I install it however I backup all my personal items to a USB drive then make a Windows System Restore point.

[Kernelwars]

vmware and also a dedicated beta machine;D

[Tarnak]

I know I have posted in this thread before...but I just test live on my only computer. No special precautions other than FD-ISR. ;)

[malexous]

My primary machine with a Windows Backup and Restore system image waiting.

[nisby79]

only virtual machines

[stapp]

I test on my Primary machine...with FD-ISR just in case :)

[1chaoticadult]

both primary machine with image software and vm

[Hungry Man]

VM + my primary.

[jadinolf]

I have a sacrificial computer in---THE LAB.

I might add that I am using avast! 6.0.1273 beta on this, my main computer with NO problems.

[malexous]

-{ Quote: "My primary machine with a Windows Backup and Restore system image waiting." }-Now, I use Clonezilla.