New FD-ISR user - Can anyone help with these questions?

[zoril]

Hi everyone:)

Can anyone help me with these questions?

I am currently trialling FD-ISR. I have a limited technical knowledge re computers. Before posting I read the manual and a number of posts in the forum here + the faqs. However I am a little confused about a few points. Any help, tips or advice, will be much appreciated:-

1.) Can you tell me what is the difference between creating a new snapshot and creating a new archive? I read about both in the manual, but am still unclear. Which would you recommend me to do, or should I do both? Should I base this on the primary, or secondary snapshot, or does it not matter?

2.) I also want to create a new snapshot based on my exact current configuration rather then when I first installed FD-ISR the other day. What should I do? I know to use the actions/copy/update snapshot. I am then given the choice of chosing either my primary or secondary snapshot (which I initially created), followed by new,new compressed, or new archive. Will this not simply copy what is previously there, rather then what is my current configuration, with the new downloads, programs etc?

3.) Do you recommend compression or not re snapshots? I know that it makes the image smaller, but does it serve any other purpose?

4.) I read about freezing. Do you recommend freezing either the primary, secondary snapshot, or both? I know by doing this that if I boot using this frozen snapshot any changes will be discarded. By doing so would this mean that if I want a new snapshot with current data, I could not use use the actions/copy/update snapshot from any frozen snapshots for this purpose? If I freeze both the primary and the secondary snapshot, how would I create a new current snapshot based on changes since the frozen snapshot was created?

5.) I read somewhere about creating a rescue disk re the mbr. Is there an option with FD-ISR to do so, or is the only way by using the recovery console with the WindowsXP installation CD. I read about how to do this and the fixmbr.

6.) Do you recommend updating the primary snapshot, freezing it, or neither, or only making changes for the secondary one?

7.) Will using Diskeeper for defragmenting create any problems when using FD-ISR? I read about other different products where there are compatability issues.

Any replies or additional tips for a newbie will be most appreciated...

Howard

[ErikAlbert]

Hi Howard and welcome to the club.

1) The main differences between snapshot and archive is :
a. You can boot in each snapshot and you need minimum 2 snapshots and you can go upto maximum 10 snapshots.
b. You cannot boot in an archive (.arx-files) and the number of archives is unlimited. If you want to boot in an archive,
you have to restore the archive in a new snapshot first and then you can boot in the new snapshot.

2) When you install FDISR, FDISR creates the primary snapshot based on your actual harddisk/partition [C:].
The primary snapshot is your WORK snapshot in which you will daily work.
Then FDISR asks you to create the secondary snapshot, which is at that moment a copy of your primary snapshot.
The secondary snapshot is your ROLLBACK snapshot in case something goes wrong in the primary "WORK" snapshot.

3) If you have enough space, you don't really need compressed snapshots.
If space is a problem, you might need compressed snapshots. The choice is upto you.
If I was you I would start with normal snapshots, because these compressed snapshots create alot of blue files in Windows Explorer.

4) Since you are pretty new to FDISR, don't work with a frozen snapshot yet, because that is a total different world and more a pain, than anything else. So forget about Freeze/Unfreeze. Wait until you are an experienced user.
Using a frozen snapshot is a very bad way to learn FDISR.

5) The latest version = FirstDefense-ISR Professional version 3.20 Build 202
This version does NOT use the MBR (Master Boot Record) anymore, it uses the PBR (Partition Boot Record).
This version is also compatible with Windows VISTA.

Don't go too fast, because you can't learn FDISR in just one day.
It's a brilliant piece of software, very simple to work with, but you have to learn HOW to use it in your benefit and according your wishes.
Almost every FDISR-users uses FDISR in a different way and you have to find YOUR way and that takes some time. :)

P.S.: other members might answer the other questions, because I'm running out of time.

[Bio-Hazard]

Hello!

I dont have mucj to add to Eriks post.

7) You should be careful when using defraggers while using FDISR. It can have affect on FDISR. Atleast you should exclude FDISR folder from the defragger. There are lot people here who have used several defraggers with FDISR without any problems, maybe they can give you better answer.

Welcome to the FDISR happy family! 8)

[ErikAlbert]

Howard,
After installing FDISR, you have TWO snapshots and this is the absolute minimum.
Never use ONE snapshot, because that kills the main function of FDISR : Immediate System Recovery (ISR).

1. The primary snapshot is your WORK snapshot.
2. The secondary snapshot is your ROLLBACK snapshot.

When you install a new software in your WORK snapshot and you don't like it and want to get rid of it, you do this :
1. boot in your ROLLBACK snapshot.
2. copy/update from ROLLBACK snapshot to WORK snapshot.
3. Reboot in your WORK snapshot.
After that your WORK snapshot = ROLLBACK snapshot and the new software is GONE in your WORK snapshot as if it was never installed.
Try and test this out, so that you can see how it works, because you will do this alot in the future.

When you install a new software in your WORK snapshot and you like it and want to keep it, you do this :
1. Copy/update from WORK snapshot to ROLLBACK snapshot.
After that the new software is also installed in your ROLLBACK snapshot and of course in your WORK snapshot.

When you install a new software in your WORK snapshot and this software corrupts your WORK snapshot, then you do this :
1. Reboot your computer and press the F1-key on the FDISR Splash Screen.
2. Choose the ROLLBACK snapshot and boot in it.
3. Copy/update from ROLLBACK snapshot to WORK snapshot, which will restore the corrupted WORK snapshot
4. Reboot in your WORK snapshot and you can work again as nothing happened.
Sometimes I got a BSOD, while I was testing a new software or even worse, I couldn't boot in Windows anymore.
This is not a problem anymore when you work with FDISR.

You can do alot more with FDISR, but again don't try everything at once or it will be very confusing. Try to understand the advantage of using a WORK and ROLLBACK snapshot first and how it can save you if you are in trouble.

P.S.: The FDISR-manual is sometimes out-of-date and also the FAQ on the website is sometimes out-of-date. If you have questions about the manual, just ask away. We all were newbies once and our goal is to help everyone.

[zoril]

Firstly thanks very much to you both for your replies. I have been out and am just back or would have replied sooner...

Eric your answers have cleared up a number of points for me. I am very grateful to you for the clear concise explanations. I will definitely take your advice re avoiding freeze until I am more savvy with the program. Even then I may not use it unless I really need it. Also taking things slowly is very sound advice.

Your help will definitely mean that I will hopefully not make silly errors that could mess up my system. From what you say I can also avoid making multiple snapshots which is something that I might have done.

It would seem for everyday use 2 or at the very most 3 should more then suffice perhaps work/rollback and test. Is that what the majority of users would go for? Two may well be enough though - switching between both in the manner that you mentioned. My only reason for a third would be in case I copied either work to rollback, or rollback to work, then discovered a month later that there was some big problem that did not manifest itself for some weeks. The third snapshot would be one I never used or changed which would contain the same settings as the very first install of FD-ISR and that I knew to be 100% ok...

I have now exported the secondary snapshot to an external hardrive. It was saved as secondary snapshot.arx. From what you say I assume .arx to be archive. If I ever need to use that backup (say if there was a hard drive failure), I guess I can just import it from the external drive then boot using it?

Re my last point - Has anyone here who uses FD-ISR ever used Diskeeper. If so have you ever had a problem? This could be a costly error if I made a mistake. If so did you exclude the FD-ISR folder as Ciderman suggested as a precaution?

I take it that there is not a create rescue disk option as such re the mbr using the program? I didn't see one in the manual. Mind you Eric if the latest version doesn't use the mbr as you stated, then it shouldn't be necessary anyway:)

I will also avoid compression as I have plenty of free space.

Your help has been really great. I am already very much a convert to using FD-ISR, despite my distinct lack of knowledge. There will be a lot of learning for me re the program, which is most definitely encouraged by your responses in this excellent forum..

Thanks again,

Howard

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
I have now exported the secondary snapshot to an external hardrive. It was saved as secondary snapshot.arx. From what you say I assume .arx to be archive. If I ever need to use that backup (say if there was a hard drive failure), I guess I can just import it from the external drive then boot using it?
<-QUOTE}
Export/Import can be used to Archive/Restore snapshots, but I never use them myself, which are more designed for archiving/restoring snapshots on DVD/CD.
I don't recommend using DVD/CD's : too slow, too risky and no updating of existing archives possible.

1. For archiving, I use copy/update from snapshot to new archive
You can also copy/update from snapshot to existing archive, which will update the existing archive and this is really fast.

2. For restoring, I use also copy/update from existing archive to snapshot.

Also check Tools/Options/Archives where you can define the path, where your archives are stored.
All archives stored in that path (drive + folder) will be visible on the main screen of FDISR.

For instance :
In Tools/Options/Archives, I specified an alternate archive location :
G:\FirstDefense Archives

"G:\" is my external harddisk
"FirstDefense Archives" is the folder on my external harddisk, where all my archives are stored.

If I turn ON my external harddisk and I open FDISR, I can see my archives and use them
as source snapshot or destination snapshot during copy/update.
If I turn OFF my external harddisk, I can't see my archives anymore.

{QUOTE->
I take it that there is not a create rescue disk option as such re the mbr using the program? I didn't see one in the manual. Mind you Eric if the latest version doesn't use the mbr as you stated, then it shouldn't be necessary anyway:)
<-QUOTE}
I couldn't find the function "create rescue disk" in the latest version of FDISR anymore and that is logical, because the latest version doesn't need the MBR anymore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is also VERY IMPORTANT : copy/update from SOURCE SNAPSHOT to DESTINATION SNAPSHOT
The source snapshot ALWAYS decides what the destination snapshot will be.
After copy/update the DESTINATION SNAPSHOT = SOURCE SNAPSHOT.
So the copy/update creates always identical snapshots and pay attention when you are choosing the source and destination snapshot/archives before you execute the copy/update.

If you have questions, just ask and remember "Stupid questions don't exist, only stupid answers do exist."
Besides me, there are enough members in this forum with enough knowledge and experience to help you out.

[zoril]

That again is most useful advice Eric...

This is probably going to sound a very silly question, but say I load Windows and download some software how can I tell if the downloaded software will be in the snapshot or not, without making a completely new snapshot?

Do I need to do a copy update first? Currently my Primary snapshot and Secondary snapshot are both the same based on the first install of First Defence-ISR.

In a nutshell how do I update my primary snapshot to include the new installs downloads etc? Do I need to boot into the primary snapshot first?

I am probably wording this very badly.

Your help is most appreciated.


Howard

[stapp]

You are not wording it badly, we all asked the same questions!
Five minutes ago I copy/updated my primary to the secondary to make them the same.

My primary snapshot is where I am typing this to you. I am also downloading some software I want to try out at the same time.

I will try the software out and if I like it, and it causes no problems, I will do another copy/update from primary to secondary, then it will be there as well.

If however the software causes problems, or I don't like it, I will boot into my secondary snapshot (either by boot to snapshot, in actions in the gui, or by rebooting and choosing secondary from the splashscreen) and copy/update my primary from the secondary. This would mean the software would vanish from the primary as secondary never had it. Then I would boot back to primary.

Everything you do in your work/primary snapshot stays there, virus updates, downloads, emails addresses, stay there unless YOU wipe them out by copy/updating from another snapshot which didn't have them.

I update my secondary at the end of each day, and my archive of primary once a week. But that is what suits me.:)

I think of primary as my real world and secondary as my retreat when things go wrong.

[Peter2150]

To follow up on stapp. I keep a stripped down secondary, that is just there as a place to boot. I use an archive as my 2nd snapshot so to speak. I then update the archive frequently, and if I want to undo something in my primary snapshot, I boot to the secondary, and do a copy from the archive to the primary.

I do this because updating an archive is much quicker.

Pete

[ErikAlbert]

Howard,
Everything what you did or installed in the primary "work" snapshot will stay in the snapshot, like dear member "Stapp" said.

If you don't want the new software(s), you do this :
1. Boot in the secondary "rollback" snapshot
2. Copy/Update FROM secondary "rollback" snapshot TO primary "work" snapshot.
This will remove the installed new software(s)
3. Boot back in the primary "work" snapshot and continue with your work.

FDISR is a guaranteed 100% uninstaller and removes EVERYTHING during the copy/update without any trace.
Before I used FDISR my harddisk was full of junkfiles and registries, which were not removed by the software uninstallers.
Now I have a clean harddisk and a clean registry.

If you like the new softwar(s), you do this :
1. Copy/Update FROM primary "work" snapshot TO secondary "rollback" snapshot
So everything that has been tested and approved by you put it in the rollback snapshot.
The rollback snapshot is a kind of collection of all the good and tested softwares, while your work snapshot is used for testing these software or just for working and playing, if you don't install anything.
If something goes wrong in the work snapshot you can save it with the rollback snapshot.


Some users don't use a rollback snapshot anymore, they use an archive of the primary snapshot as rollback snapshot and they use the secondary snapshot as a refuge snapshot, when something goes wrong in the work snapshot.
FDISR starts with a work and rollback snapshot, because that's good for learning FDISR, but you don't have to do it this way.
Experienced users start "improvising", but all these improvisations are based on the same copy/update function between snapshots/archives and snapshots/archives. :)

Question : do you have an Image Backup software and which one ?

[zoril]

Hi there:)))

Again many thanks everyone for the replies and very useful advice...

Eric I have Acronis True Image version 8 - I don't use recovery startup manager with it so it doesnt use the mbr. I only have the one partition on the computer and tend to use ATI for complete disk copy only. I never upgraded ATI to the new version as I don't need the additional stuff in V9 or V10 and won't switch to Vista for at least 2 years.

As I now intend to use FD-ISR for everyday tasks, I can simply use ATI as an emergency backup - in the case of Windows failure etc. I can then use the ATI rescue disk to get the system up and running, then boot using F1 to load my up to date configuration with FD-ISR...

Eric's timely advice helped me earlier when one of the images I created must have been corrupted. When I booted using my "test" image, it loaded ok but showed with a red X in the taskbar. I simply rebooted using the primary "work" image and used the copy command to copy the primary snapshot to the test one. On rebooting the test image all was fine, so I now have a spare copy of my up to date primary snapshot:)

Stapp's analogy "I think of primary as my real world and secondary as my retreat when things go wrong" is a good way to look at it, as is Erics "work"
"rollback" concept.

I am learning more about the program each day. Peter's way of updating the archive also makes a lot of sense, although to be honest I am still a little unclear about archiving and the best way to use it. To date I only archived once to my external hard drive.

If I create an archive (.arx) I know that I can't boot from it, but can I copy or import it to either my primary or secondary snapshot, overwriting it, or does it need to be copied to a completely new snapshot to make it bootable?

I just ran a defrag on my C:\ drive using Diskeeper. There were no problems with FD I am glad to say. I was quite worried about doing this..

Next I want to make another ATI complete disk image. I may try this without disabling the preboot in FD. In my setup I don't believe that True Image uses the mbr, so hopefully I will get a complete backup of the current existing configuration that when used won't mess up FD-ISR - Fingers crossed!

Thanks again everyone...

Howard:)

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
If I create an archive (.arx) I know that I can't boot from it, but can I copy or import it to either my primary or secondary snapshot, overwriting it, or does it need to be copied to a completely new snapshot to make it bootable?
<-QUOTE}
Since you are not going to use compressed snapshots, you can do all these copy/updates :
1. FROM any existing snapshot TO new snapshot
2. FROM any existing snapshot TO new archive
3. FROM any existing snapshot TO any existing snapshot
4. FROM any existing snapshot TO any existing archive
5. FROM any existing archive TO new snapshot
6. FROM any existing archive TO any existing snapshot
And keep in mind that the source snapshot/archive decides what the destination snapshot/archive will be.
The copy/update wizard will give you only valid possible source or destination snapshots/archives.


{QUOTE->
Next I want to make another ATI complete disk image. I may try this without disabling the preboot in FD. In my setup I don't believe that True Image uses the mbr, so hopefully I will get a complete backup of the current existing configuration that when used won't mess up FD-ISR - Fingers crossed!
<-QUOTE}
I have been working with combination "Acronis True Image + FirstDefense-ISR" for more than a year and ATI never failed to restore my harddisk, including all snapshots. It's a very good and reliable combination.
You don't have to disable the pre-boot, I never did this during backup or restore.
Keep in mind that when you disable the pre-boot, you also kill the Immediate System Recovery function of FDISR. So avoid to disable the pre-boot, because you might forget to enable it on a crucial moment.

NEVER trust a new software, even when the software is legitimate and/or recommended by other people and FDISR will be a big help to test these new softwares first.

FDISR is a real TROUBLESHOOTER, not in words but in DEEDS and it saved me and other users many times and without requiring knowledge. You don't know this yet, because you are new to FDISR, but one day you will experience how good FDISR really is.
Windows System Restore is a JOKE compared with FDISR. Most Microsoft applications are mediocre and there is always a BETTER third-party-software.

[stapp]

{QUOTE->





FDISR is a real TROUBLESHOOTER, not in words but in DEEDS and it saved me and other users many times and without requiring knowledge. You don't know this yet, because you are new to FDISR, but one day you will experience how good FDISR really is.
<-QUOTE}



Zoril, there will be a time when you will remember Eric's words and realise he spoke the truth.

Welcome to the FD club :)

[Peter2150]

AMEN!!!

[Bio-Hazard]

Hello!

FDISR have saved my bacon several times. :thumb: It also have made testing software so easy and simple.

[zoril]

Hi again all:)

I did a complete image restore using ATI. I am delighted to say that everything was great in that all the settings, snapshots etc for FD-ISR worked fine...

My only problem related to all my Favorites disappearing from IE7 alongside an inability to "Add to Favorites". I tried loading the 3 different FD snapshots with the same result. Clearly my problem occured somewhere during the ATI complete disk backup..

However I didn't find this to be too serious a problem. I had kept a backup of all my Favorites on my external hard drive and had read an article on firstly how to change the Favorites location to one of my choice, + secondly how to make the necessary changes to the registry using regedit to point to the new location where I had moved my Favorites to. All works fine now, maybe better even then before, as I find it handy to have a desktop folder for I.E. Favorites:)

Erik it is great to be able to copy/update with almost any combination using the wizard. This shows a great deal of flexibility with the program. Moreover only valid destinations being showed, should mean that copying hopefully will never be a problem, as it will not be possible to copy a snapshot/archive to an invalid location and ruin the snapshot:)

From everything that has been said here and from what I have read, Windows failure apart, FD-ISR should be my answer to almost all backup situations. ATI I can use as a "last line" should Windows fail and should I need the complete disk backup, but that apart I see myself using FD-ISR most of the time with periodic complete disk backups using ATI!

I can certainly see even in the short time that I have used FDI-ISR that the program has incredible potential for me. I have still much to learn, so will definitely spend more time using the program on a daily basis before even looking at freezing/anchoring etc. I may well end up not needing to use those facilites, but I will paddle a while longer before learning to swim re this excellent program.

Have a great evening all...


Howard

[Peter2150]

Hi Howard

FDISR will cover almost everything except a disk drive failure, and it can even help there. By keeping a current archive, I can even restore an out of date backup image, and the get current with FDISR.

Pete

[zoril]

One other minor point - After my ATI complete disk restore, I noticed that the one .arx archive that I had created earlier on my C: drive had disappeared! I did make the ATI image after the .arx file was installed...

The most important thing for me was that the primary and secondary snapshots were fine:) Again I dont see this as a big deal, as I had exported one earlier archive to my external hard drive (to import if needed) and I probably won't use archives that much.

I have just purchased FD-ISR this evening. I don't need the 14 day trial. Three days were more then enough, coupled with the excellent advice here to convince me that it is an excellent product, for both the short and long term.

I might review what imaging software to use in the future when the time comes either to upgrade ATI (when I get Vista), or acquire a different product. A major future priority for me will now be how well it will interact with FD-ISR.

With that in mind, I have been looking closely at Shadow Protect as a future alternative to ATI for imaging. Even then I would say that 95% of my time would be spent using FD-ISR. Anything else would only be used as a "second line" should Windows completely crash or my hard drive fails...


Howard

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
I can certainly see even in the short time that I have used FDI-ISR that the program has incredible potential for me. I have still much to learn, so will definitely spend more time using the program on a daily basis before even looking at freezing/anchoring etc. I may well end up not needing to use those facilites, but I will paddle a while longer before learning to swim re this excellent program.
<-QUOTE}
Regarding freezing :
A frozen snapshot does NOT allow any change and that is very good for BAD objects : any malware is removed as a change during each reboot.

Unfortunately FDISR is NOT a security software and doesn't see the difference between GOOD and BAD objects. So a frozen snapshot removes also the GOOD changes and that's a problem in practice.
If you want to keep the GOOD changes you have to re-freeze the snapshot, BUT when you re-freeze the frozen snapshot, you have to be sure that the snapshot is CLEAN, otherwise you will freeze the BAD objects also and when that happens your frozen snapshot will be infected over and over again with the frozen BAD objects.

So a frozen snapshot requires a methodical approach, which isn't so easy in practice.
I'm just warning you, because I work with a frozen snapshot for quite some time and I'm still asking myself if it is good or bad to have a frozen snapshot. It has advantages but also disadvantages. :)


Regarding anchoring :
In theory, you can anchor any folder or any file on your harddisk.
All anchored objects are NOT included in all your snapshots.
So anchoring reduces the size of all your snapshots.

In practice, anchoring is often used for personal data that is normally stored under the folder "My Documents".

If you don't anchor all personal data objects are stored in each snapshot and this becomes a problem when you have lots of personal data, that increases constantly in volume, because EACH snapshot contains that big volume of personal data.

If you anchor all personal data, the big volume of personal data will not be included in any of your snapshots and all personal data is available in EACH snapshot.

Another method is storing your personal data on ANOTHER partition, than the system partition [C:]. In that case you also have access to your personal data in EACH snapshot. Separating your system files from your personal data files has also its specific problems and requires PREPARATION.

So you have three possibilities for personal data :
1. No anchoring.
2. Anchoring.
3. Another partition.

[marse.robert]

Hi all, (Especially Eric)

Sorry to interupt someone else's thread. I am also new to all this and would appreciate help. I have followed the earlier part of Eric's thesis with rapt interest.
I have taken an archive of the primary snapshot and it resides: F:\MyIntialBackup.arx.

I cannot find that archive through any facility within FD. If I cannot locate this archive,how can I update it?

Many thanks,
Marserobert

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Hi all, (Especially Eric)

Sorry to interupt someone else's thread. I am also new to all this and would appreciate help. I have followed the earlier part of Eric's thesis with rapt interest.
I have taken an archive of the primary snapshot and it resides: F:\MyIntialBackup.arx.

I cannot find that archive through any facility within FD. If I cannot locate this archive,how can I update it?

Many thanks,
Marserobert <-QUOTE}
Marserobert,

1. Open FDISR
2. Click on "Tools"
3. Click on "Options"
4. Click on the tab "Archives"
5. Mark the option "Specify alternate archive location".
6. Type "F:\" in the box without the quotes
7. Click on the button "OK"

After this FDISR knows where your archive(s) are located.
If "F:\" is your external harddisk, you have to turn it ON.
If "F:\" is not your external harddisk, you don't have to do anything.

When you open FDISR now, you will see your archives (.arx-files) under "Archived Snapshots" and you can use them as a source or destination snapshot in the copy/update function.

If it doesn't work, post back and I make it work.

[marse.robert]

Eric,

You are priceless!! I am beginning to like FD - a lot.

Thankyou, Marserobert

[Longboard]

Well done E-A :D
Nice succint, distilled wisdom/experience.

This is the type of thread that now after all our accumulated experience could be a useful sticky.

Good on you for taking these enquiries on so well.

Regards. :thumb:

[Peter2150]

I also have to give a hearty well done Erik.

Pete

[kennyboy]

{QUOTE-> Again I dont see this as a big deal, as I had exported one earlier archive to my external hard drive (to import if needed) and I probably won't use archives that much.

Howard <-QUOTE}

Hi Howard. Just to add that you could find you use archives more than you can imagine....depending on how you actually decide to use FDR.
It is always nice to know that you have an up to date archive on an external drive because if all else fails, it is so easy and quick just to reinstall a very basic Windows and then use that archive to come up to date. It is also safe from any risk of hard drive failure or any other real nasty!
Further, if you decide to work this way, you will also find that the need for always keeping an up to date backup image with ATI is not quite so vital.
As Erik says, it is all up to you and your choice of working with this amazing program.

Ken

[ErikAlbert]

Hi guys,
Wilders taught me alot and is still teaching me alot. In the first year, I took more than I gave.
So it's high time for me to do something back and I know FDISR pretty good, so I don't mind to explain how FDISR works over and over again to new users and a brilliant software like FDISR deserves my time.

Before FDISR I lived in hell, now I live in paradise : a constantly clean system and working properly.

Each time, I have a small or big problem :
1. I don't need to know what the problem is.
2. I don't need to know what caused the problem.
3. I don't need to know how to fix the problem.
4. I don't need to bother other people to fix it.
I just reboot and an automatic rollback fixes the problem, while non-FDISR users have to bother other people or are wasting time to find out how to fix the problem. The disaster posts at Wilders are the living proof.
FDISR is not only a troubleshooter in deeds, but also saves you alot of time and time = money, so I got my $69 many times back.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> One other minor point - After my ATI complete disk restore, I noticed that the one .arx archive that I had created earlier on my C: drive had disappeared! I did make the ATI image after the .arx file was installed...
<-QUOTE}
This is normally impossible. ATI also restores .arx-files, just like any other files. So for the moment I assume, that you did something wrong with the .arx-file : an accidental deletion or something like that.

On the other hand storing .arx-files on the C-drive is NOT a good idea.
These .arx-files are supposed to save the C-drive and you never store .arx-files on the SAME drive.

There are only two good places to store .arx-files.
1. The best place = external harddisk.
2. The second best place = another partition than C on an internal harddisk.

I assume that you have only one harddisk with one partition [C:]. If that is true you better store all your .arx-files on your external harddisk.

I store all my .arx-files on my external harddisk, except the file "Freeze Storage.arx", which is stored on my second harddisk [D:].
The "Freeze Storage.arx" is used by FDISR to restore the frozen snapshot during reboot and I like to keep my external harddisk OFF-LINE as a protection against infections.


Regarding Image Backup software :
I used ATI for more than a year and it never failed, but I don't like the way ATI evolves.
The latest version (v10.0) of ATI is the beginning of real bloatware and it has unnecessary functions, like backup of emails and software settings and both functions aren't valid for all existing email-softwares in the world and which settings of which softwares have a backup is also questionable.

I had to pay $30 for the upgrade to v10.0 and I decided not to do this.
I saved $30 this way, added another $40 and I bought ShadowProtect Desktop v2.0, which is the fastest Image Backup software at this moment and also very reliable.

[stapp]

Can I just add a note on finding archives on an external drive.

Because I had been using my usb slot for other things in between archives copy/updates, windows in it's wisdom decided to rename the external next time I plugged it in, and archive didn't show in the gui as FDISR was set up for L drive as external and windows had changed it to M.

Once I had figured this out, I used the same as the instructions Eric gave and changed the drive letter for archives and it showed again in the gui when plugged in.

[zoril]

Hi all:)

I hope that everyone is having a nice day:)

I originally exported my snapshot to my external hard drive. At the same time I created an archive on my single partition C:\ drive.

I have now followed Eric's advice and removed the archive file from C:\. It makes sense to use the .arx archive elsewhere as my secondary snapshot and my other on the C:\ drive serves the same purpose...

Following Eric's advice re tools/options/archives/ specify alternative archive location/ F:\ etc, as he mentioned when I plugged in my external hard drive the archive showed...

I have a second hard drive and wanted an archive on both. What Stapp said sorted out the problem for me of how do do this. One of my external drives is F:\ while the other is G:\. By carrying out Eric's instructions for both, I am now able to update both archives. FD-ISR remembered both locations. I also renamed the two archives so both would show up differently.

Kenny I think that I may well use archives a lot more then I first anticipated.

From a newbies viewpoint this thread has helped me initially vastly more then the manual for the program which although well written, I found it a little too complicated for me to grasp the basic fundamentals.

I daresay anyone with even basic knowledge about computers, software etc, would have no problem with it. Reading the manual now after grasping the basics from this thread and in particular with Eric's help, it is definitely a lot clearer.

One small question - Erik mentioned earlier - "When you install a new software in your WORK snapshot and you don't like it and want to get rid of it, you do this :
1. boot in your ROLLBACK snapshot.
2. copy/update from ROLLBACK snapshot to WORK snapshot.
3. Reboot in your WORK snapshot.
After that your WORK snapshot = ROLLBACK snapshot and the new software is GONE in your WORK snapshot as if it was never installed."

If say my WORK snapshot was infected by a virus, trojan, malware etc, would booting in ROLLBACK copying/ updating from ROLLBACK to the WORK snapshot, mean that there would no longer be any virus in the WORK snapshot, as it would have been completely overwritten with the ROLLBACK data?


Had I not been given the help here that I have, I doubt that I would have purchased FD-ISR, as I would have found everything too difficult to comprehend. I would probably have removed it from my system long before the end of the trial period.

I hope that other newbies like me read this thread. I have found it to be incredibly useful. I am certain that they will also.

All the best...


Howard

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
If say my WORK snapshot was infected by a virus, trojan, malware etc, would booting in ROLLBACK copying/ updating from ROLLBACK to the WORK snapshot, mean that there would no longer be any virus in the WORK snapshot, as it would have been completely overwritten with the ROLLBACK data?
<-QUOTE}
Sorry for the late response, but I'm very busy lately.
If you copy/update from rollback snapshot to work snapshot and your work snapshot is infected, then the rollback snapshot will remove these infections.

FDISR is NOT a security software and it doesn't see the difference between good and bad objects, but the copy/update from rollback snapshot removes all changes, the good changes and the bad changes.
FDISR cleans your computer better than any AV-scanner, because AV-scanners can have missing signatures and false positives.
FDISR doesn't have these problems, because it removes CHANGES.

BUT and there is always a BUT.
The copy/update from WORK snapshot to ROLLBACK snapshot can infect your rollback snapshot, if your work snapshot is infected and each time you copy/update from an infected rollback snapshot to work snapshot, your work snapshot will be infected over and over again.
So in theory you have to run all your scanners, BEFORE you copy/update from work snapshot to rollback snapshot in order to keep your rollback snapshot clean.
So if you have a good security setup, the chance of infecting your rollback snapshot will be smaller or nihil.

P.S. :
My computer has no scanners at all. I don't recommend to do this, that's MY personal choice and I'm doing this for many months already.
A few days ago I ran the trial version of Kaspersky AntiVirus v6, because I wanted to know if I was infected or not and KAV didn't find anything.
I created a boot-to-restore solution with FDISR and that keeps my computer clean. Each time I reboot my computer is cleaned by my Freeze Storage.
I still have a few security softwares, but not based on blacklists.
It's an experiment, nothing more than that. I just don't like scanners. :)

[Long View]

{QUOTE->

P.S. :
My computer has no scanners at all. I don't recommend to do this, that's MY personal choice and I'm doing this for many months already.
A few days ago I ran the trial version of Kaspersky AntiVirus v6, because I wanted to know if I was infected or not and KAV didn't find anything.
I created a boot-to-restore solution with FDISR and that keeps my computer clean. Each time I reboot my computer is cleaned by my Freeze Storage.
I still have a few security softwares, but not based on blacklists.
It's an experiment, nothing more than that. I just don't like scanners. :) <-QUOTE}

My computers have no scanners at all either. I understand your caution in not recommending this to others but have to say that I am becoming more prepared to encourage others to do what you have done. For the record I believe that far too many run far too much security slowing down their machines and at the same time providing themselves with very little real protection.

A good hardware firewall, a protected e-mail provider, Firefox and FD-ISR Freeze or my Preference Returnil and all the anti-spyware, antivirus spybot, ad aware, HIPS............. can be removed.

Every so often I install something like bitdefender or superantispyware and never find a thing. A quick reboot and the installs are gone.

I don't know about everyone else but I bought my machines to run work programs and not to see how many security programs I could run at the same time.

FD-ISR, Acronis, DeepFreeze, Retrurnil et al are not be security programs - they are better than that.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> My computers have no scanners at all either. I understand your caution in not recommending this to others but have to say that I am becoming more prepared to encourage others to do what you have done. For the record I believe that far too many run far too much security slowing down their machines and at the same time providing themselves with very little real protection.

A good hardware firewall, a protected e-mail provider, Firefox and FD-ISR Freeze or my Preference Returnil and all the anti-spyware, antivirus spybot, ad aware, HIPS............. can be removed.

Every so often I install something like bitdefender or superantispyware and never find a thing. A quick reboot and the installs are gone.

I don't know about everyone else but I bought my machines to run work programs and not to see how many security programs I could run at the same time.

FD-ISR, Acronis, DeepFreeze, Retrurnil et al are not be security programs - they are better than that. <-QUOTE}
Well our approach isn't really popular amongst users, everybody is still talking about AV/AS/AT/AK-scanners and even most FDISR/Returnil users have still scanners for real-time protection, removal of infections and scanning downloaded objects. :)

[kennyboy]

{QUOTE-> Well our approach isn't really popular amongst users, everybody is still talking about AV/AS/AT/AK-scanners and even most FDISR/Returnil users have still scanners for real-time protection, removal of infections and scanning downloaded objects. :) <-QUOTE}

Must say that with FDR and Returnil, the need for scanners is getting less important for me. Am still looking at Anti-Exec and stuff but if FDR etc continue to do the job, I will avoid them.

[Peter2150]

I've also joined the scannerless club. Don't even have one installed.

[ErikAlbert]

It's funny, that we start using non-security softwares to protect our computers. After all FDISR, Acronis, DeepFreeze and Returnil are RECOVERY softwares, NOT security softwares.
Nevertheless they clean our computers much better than any group of scanners can promise, not only complete but also very fast and after EACH reboot.

I'm also considering Returnil instead of Freeze Storage, not for speed, but there seems to be something wrong with the defragmentation of the Freeze Storage and that makes my computer slower. I know it has been said more than once, but I didn't care about it and I also have more softwares than in the beginning, so the problem increased.

Although we get rid of all the malware after reboot and that is very good, I still have a problem with the possible EXECUTION of malware between two reboots, which is in theory possible and that's why I have Anti-Executable, which is by the way a very annoying software.

Anti-Executable is TOO GOOD and each time a software tries to update itself, you have to turn it OFF otherwise it screws up the updating of the software, that is my experience until now.
I had troubles with updatings of Firefox and Java when Anti-Executable was ON.
My Freeze Storage restored the corrupted updatings of course, so it was not a serious problem, just annoying.
You also can't download or install any new software when Anti-Executable is ON, which is also annoying in practice.
The required password to turn ON/OFF Anti-Executable is also a bit annoying.
Nevertheless I keep it, because it stops execution and recovery softwares don't do this at all. I just have to learn to turn it off at the right moment.

If you put the possible execution aside, the final results are fantastic. KAV didn't find anything and possible installed malwares don't have much time to execute themselves, because they are removed during each reboot. :)

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> It's funny, that we start using non-security softwares to protect our computers. After all FDISR, Acronis, DeepFreeze and Returnil are RECOVERY softwares, NOT security softwares.
Nevertheless they clean our computers much better than any group of scanners can promise, not only complete but also very fast and after EACH reboot.

I'm also considering Returnil instead of Freeze Storage, not for speed, but there seems to be something wrong with the defragmentation of the Freeze Storage and that makes my computer slower. I know it has been said more than once, but I didn't care about it and I also have more softwares than in the beginning, so the problem increased.

Although we get rid of all the malware after reboot and that is very good, I still have a problem with the possible EXECUTION of malware between two reboots, which is in theory possible and that's why I have Anti-Executable, which is by the way a very annoying software.

Anti-Executable is TOO GOOD and each time a software tries to update itself, you have to turn it OFF otherwise it screws up the updating of the software, that is my experience until now.
I had troubles with updatings of Firefox and Java when Anti-Executable was ON.
My Freeze Storage restored the corrupted updatings of course, so it was not a serious problem, just annoying.
You also can't download or install any new software when Anti-Executable is ON, which is also annoying in practice.
The required password to turn ON/OFF Anti-Executable is also a bit annoying.
Nevertheless I keep it, because it stops execution and recovery softwares don't do this at all. I just have to learn to turn it off at the right moment.

If you put the possible execution aside, the final results are fantastic. KAV didn't find anything and possible installed malwares don't have much time to execute themselves, because they are removed during each reboot. :) <-QUOTE}

I agree with you about AE. I use it also. I've also found it's best to turn it off when updating FDISR. It calms down quite a bit if you turn off the delete protection. THat really is a pain.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> I agree with you about AE. I use it also. I've also found it's best to turn it off when updating FDISR. It calms down quite a bit if you turn off the delete protection. THat really is a pain. <-QUOTE}
Yes that's very true. I had to do the same thing. A HIGH security with ALL settings marked is impossible and creates errors during copy/update.
I mentioned this at Wilders, but I don't remember where.
I just checked my configuration : high security, but delete prevention isn't marked and since that delete prevention isn't marked, I don't have any errors anymore during copy/update.
For the rest it remains an uncomfortable software, but it is also a security software that protects and hides ITSELF very well. I've never seen this before.
If you hide the icon also, only a non-accessible folder is visible and that's it.

EDIT :
Peter, I also used AE's Exempted Folders and stored all .exe files of FDISR, I could find. That's probably the reason why I don't have to turn OFF AE, when I copy/update.
Turning OFF AE before copy/update is also good of course, maybe even safer.

[ErikAlbert]

I also found an easier way to turn off my internet connection physically (hardware).
My modem is attached to the wall, it has a switch ON/OFF-button, but that's not easy. I have to walk to far.
My router has no switch ON/OFF-button and I have to unplug it, that's not easy either.
So I bought a plugbox with a switch ON/OFF-button (red light = ON), placed it on my computer table and plugged only my router in it.
Now I only have to switch OFF the plugbox and I'm disconnected from the internet.

[zoril]

Many thanks again for the reply Erik. It is strange but most pleasing that FD-ISR is better at security protection in some ways then many specialised security applications!

I had thought about using freeze for one of my snapshots so that when browsing I could revert back to when I first booted. However there seems to be little point as I could just simply surf in secondary snapshot, then after surfing boot in primary and copy the original "pre surfing" primary to the secondary snapshot.


Howard

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Many thanks again for the reply Erik. It is strange but most pleasing that FD-ISR is better at security protection in some ways then many specialised security applications!

I had thought about using freeze for one of my snapshots so that when browsing I could revert back to when I first booted. However there seems to be little point as I could just simply surf in secondary snapshot, then after surfing boot in primary and copy the original "pre surfing" primary to the secondary snapshot.


Howard <-QUOTE}
Yes you can do that also if your primary snapshot is still clean.
Boot in your secondary snapshot, surf on the net like hell.
Then boot in your primary snapshot and copy/update the primary snapshot to the secondary snapshot and your secondary snapshot is clean again.

But normally you use the primary snapshot for surfing and clean it with the secondary snapshot. It's better to use always the same procedure and that creates routine.
You can clean any snapshot with its archive also, if it is clean. You have to find your own way of using FDISR. Every user does that.
FDISR only offers functions and it's up to the user how to use these functions.

A frozen snapshot has an automatic copy/update and that is the same as a manual copy/update.
During the automatic invisible copy/update, which happens during the reboot behind the Welcome Screen of Windows, FDISR does a copy/update from Freeze Storage.arx to frozen snapshot and that cleans the frozen snapshot.
That's why the Welcome Screen of Windows displays longer when you boot in a frozen snapshot.

I'm going to ditch my frozen snapshot and replace it with Returnil, but not now, maybe in September.

[zoril]

Erik you made a very good point earlier re making sure that the snapshot I use to copy is definitely virus/spyware free, so as not to "infect" the other snapshot! I will certainly bear that in mind...

I also have a program which I currently use called "Shadow Surfer", which seems in some ways similar to Returnil, (although I am not sure, as I have never as yet tried using Returnil). After surfing in "shadow mode" if I disable "shadow mode" then reboot, all changes during that surfing session are gone.

I have read a number of articles in forums about Returnil. It seems to be a highly rated product and one that may well compliment First Defence...


Howard

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Erik you made a very good point earlier re making sure that the snapshot I use to copy is definitely virus/spyware free, so as not to "infect" the other snapshot! I will certainly bear that in mind...

I also have a program which I currently use called "Shadow Surfer", which seems in some ways similar to Returnil, (although I am not sure, as I have never as yet tried using Returnil). After surfing in "shadow mode" if I disable "shadow mode" then reboot, all changes during that surfing session are gone.

I have read a number of articles in forums about Returnil. It seems to be a highly rated product and one that may well compliment First Defence...


Howard <-QUOTE}
We are all looking for a better protection and that's why some members are combining FDISR with other softwares that can be used as a replacement for a "frozen snapshot", like RollbackRx, Returnil, ShadowSurfer, ShadowUser, ProtectShadow, etc.

Personally I never tried these combinations, because a frozen snapshot does the same basic job : it keeps your system partition UNCHANGED, unless you want to change it.
That doesn't mean I'm against these combinations, but I have no experience with it and I can't evaluate these combinations without trying them for a longer period than just one day. All these other softwares have advantages and disadvantages and that also counts for a frozen snapshot.
So we are all looking for the BEST combinations and exchange our personal experiences with these combinations and that is very important, because we all learn faster that way.

I also have my OWN principles and they don't always match with other members and there is also a matter of time. I don't have the time to try all these combinations. I don't need to tell you, how fast time passes when you are working on your computer. Some members have more than one computer or better softwares for SAFE testing, so these members can do more than me in a shorter time period.

So if you start with combinations, I hope you can find someone else who uses the same combination to exchange experiences, because I can't help you there.
I'm planning to try Returnil as a replacement for my Freeze Storage in September.
I first had to replace Acronis True Image with ShadowProtect, because my Image Backup software has to be a long term solution, just like FDISR. :)

[zoril]

It won't be my intention to try out too many combinations...

Using First Defence as as my number 1 backup choice which i won't be changing, then using 1 image backup program purely for complete disk restore (in the case of windows failure) etc, + finally one virtual program where reboot removes all should definitely suffice...

I would say that using more then maybe 2 or 3 programs at the same time may even create problems, like compatability issues etc.

I definitely never plan to use more then one imaging program at any one time. The only question there for me will be whether to stck with ATI, when I install Vista, or switch to ShadowProtect when the time comes to make that decision.


Howard

[Long View]

Zoril

If it helps I have used FD-ISR with Acronis True Image - no problems
FD-ISR with Returnil and Acronis - no problems
FD-ISR with DeepFreeze 6 and Acronis - no problems.

I found that the freeze method on FD-ISR was just too slow on an old machine.
Fine on a core 2 duo but not so good on an old P4. DeepFreeze works well but
the procudure for imaging is more long winded.

So far the best combination for me has been FD-ISR + Returnil all backed up with Acronis. I must admit I'm curious about Shadow Protect but as Acronis has always been rock solid and fast I can't justify yet another program ( activation being the final killer for me)

As to Vista - I have 2 copies gathering dust - I will install when it is finished

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Zoril

If it helps I have used FD-ISR with Acronis True Image - no problems
FD-ISR with Returnil and Acronis - no problems
FD-ISR with DeepFreeze 6 and Acronis - no problems.

I found that the freeze method on FD-ISR was just too slow on an old machine.
Fine on a core 2 duo but not so good on an old P4. DeepFreeze works well but
the procudure for imaging is more long winded.

So far the best combination for me has been FD-ISR + Returnil all backed up with Acronis. I must admit I'm curious about Shadow Protect but as Acronis has always been rock solid and fast I can't justify yet another program ( activation being the final killer for me)

As to Vista - I have 2 copies gathering dust - I will install when it is finished <-QUOTE}

Shadowprotect is great and activation really isn't an issue, but..... If Acronis True image is meeting the what need, no reason to switch.

Pete

[Acadia]

{QUOTE-> We are all looking for a better protection ... I also have my OWN principles and they don't always match with other members ... I'm planning to try ... <-QUOTE}
Erik, I for one (and I am betting plenty of others) REALLY appreciate all of the testing that you have done, please, keep it up if you enjoy it, we definitely enjoy reading the results. 8)

Acadia

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> Shadowprotect is great and activation really isn't an issue, but..... If Acronis True image is meeting the what need, no reason to switch.

Pete <-QUOTE}

Activation is becoming more of an issue. Windows requires activation. no problem normally but if I disconnect my internet connection via the icon bottom right and reboot WGA I think reports a problem and demands reactivation. Not a problem I can restore with a full image from Acronis. Office requires activation.
Paperport from Nuance requires activation and if you want to run the program on another machine you must be on line to deactivate. If when you remove the program the Nuance site is down you then need to contact customer support to get an activation back.

I like to keep things simple. There are enough ways for things to go wrong and running 5 desktops and 2 laptops with different configurations on each machine means that activation is a problem I would like to avoid. Given the choice between one good program (Acronis) and another good program (Shadowprotect) activation is sufficient, for me, to tilt the decision in favor of Acronis. If, of course, Acronis didn't work for me- as Paragon didn't - then I would use another program.

Hope to use FD-ISR in the next few weeks to start using Linux ( not sure which flavor) and to eventually move away from Windows then activation will
not be an issue at all.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Activation is becoming more of an issue. Windows requires activation. no problem normally but if I disconnect my internet connection via the icon bottom right and reboot WGA I think reports a problem and demands reactivation. Not a problem I can restore with a full image from Acronis. Office requires activation.
Paperport from Nuance requires activation and if you want to run the program on another machine you must be on line to deactivate. If when you remove the program the Nuance site is down you then need to contact customer support to get an activation back.

I like to keep things simple. There are enough ways for things to go wrong and running 5 desktops and 2 laptops with different configurations on each machine means that activation is a problem I would like to avoid. Given the choice between one good program (Acronis) and another good program (Shadowprotect) activation is sufficient, for me, to tilt the decision in favor of Acronis. If, of course, Acronis didn't work for me- as Paragon didn't - then I would use another program.

Hope to use FD-ISR in the next few weeks to start using Linux ( not sure which flavor) and to eventually move away from Windows then activation will
not be an issue at all. <-QUOTE}
I don't like activations at all, because I have to go on-line and that destroys my idea of having a guaranteed malware-free IMAGE.
Each software should have the possibility to be installed off-line, especially when the software has nothing to do with internet, like Image Backup software. The only reason why activations exist are the bad guys (piracy).

I wonder how you are going to combine FDISR and Linux. As far as I know FDISR is only compatible with three operating systems :
1. Win2000pro
2. WinXP (home and pro)
3. WinVISTA (I guess all versions).
I never read anything about Linux being compatible with FDISR.
AFAIK you need another partition to install Linux and some kind of multi-bootable system, to boot in Windows or Linux. :)

[Long View]

{QUOTE->
I never read anything about Linux being compatible with FDISR.
AFAIK you need another partition to install Linux and some kind of multi-bootable system, to boot in Windows or Linux. :) <-QUOTE}

Blast !!!! Multi-boot wouldn't be a problem but I must admit I had just assumed that all I would need to do was make an empty snapshot and then install.
oh well stuck with Bill Gates a while longer.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Erik, I for one (and I am betting plenty of others) REALLY appreciate all of the testing that you have done, please, keep it up if you enjoy it, we definitely enjoy reading the results. 8)

Acadia <-QUOTE}
Thanks for the nice words Acadia. :)

The reason why I'm going to test Returnil is a pure logical elimination.

1. RollbackRx has no decent and normal backup/restore solution and although other members don't have a problem with that, I do because it's against my principles.
2. PowerShadow has a communication problem (Chinese) and only users as support.
3. I heard from DeepFreeze-users that it doesn't seem to be compatible with FDISR. I'm not 100% sure about this, but it isn't very attractive for me to use this one as the first one.

So the only possible candidates are : Returnil, ShadowUser, ...
I choosed Returnil, because member "Coldmoon" knows everything about Returnil, while ShadowUser's support wasn't very talkative, at least not to me in the past. ShadowProtect has at least a better support and has also an active member "grnxnm" at Wilders and yes I know that both are created by StorageCraft.
Returnil is also free, so it won't hurt my wallet either, when I don't like it.

Testing Returnil for just one day or even a week, is not enough for me.
My experience with softwares in general is that they have often one or more hidden problems, that don't reveal themselves immediately.

One example : CDBurnerXP Pro.
I'm using this CD/DVD burner for months already without any problems, until I created/burned an ISO Image with it, which is an additional function of CDBurnerXP Pro. That function doesn't work properly and you can only detect this when you actually try the cloned CD/DVD, while all the rest seems to be normal, but it isn't.
I keep on using CDBurnerXP Pro, but not for ISO Images anymore.

Another example : FDISR's function Freeze/Unfreeze/Re-freeze.
There are differences between "Freeze" and "Re-freeze" and the results are not the same.

The function "Re-freeze" doesn't exist, because "Re-freeze" = "Freeze".
1. The real "Freeze" = creating a NEW Freeze Storage.
2. The "Re-freeze" = updating an EXISTING Freeze Storage.
In practice they are not the same, but it's hard to nail the differences.
That is also the reason, why I'm going to try Returnil.

These two examples show clearly hidden problems and it can take months before you discover them.
I'm not saying that Returnil has hidden problems, but it is in theory possible.
I'm not paranoid, but I know that these things happen and programmers, who have written all these softwares, are human, just like you and me and they do make MISTAKES. I also know that it can take a long time before a program shows these mistakes, especially when a situation doesn't occur very often. :)

[Long View]

DeepFreeze6 worked fine for me with FD-ISR but making a system image with DeepFreeze6 installed requires more steps (set the flag etc) than when using Returnil.

[Acadia]

{QUOTE-> I also know that it can take a long time before a program shows these mistakes, especially when a situation doesn't occur very often. <-QUOTE}
Erik, have you ever tested or played with Sandboxie? Thanks.

Acadia

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Erik, have you ever tested or played with Sandboxie? Thanks.

Acadia <-QUOTE}

Actually I think he did, and it didn't work on his machine. He should take another look, because that version wouldn't work on my thinkpad, although it did on my desktops. Current verson works fine everywhere.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Erik, have you ever tested or played with Sandboxie? Thanks.

Acadia <-QUOTE}
Yes I did, but stuff on my computer DISAPPEARED and I don't like that.
I use now DefenseWall without problems, which works with untrusted applications, like my browser.

Since I have an almost 100% removal of malware solution, I use only security softwares that prevent installation or stop the execution of malware.
DefenseWall and Anti-Executable do that.

I only wished that the removal of malware happened faster than just on reboot, but that software doesn't exist yet.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Blast !!!! Multi-boot wouldn't be a problem but I must admit I had just assumed that all I would need to do was make an empty snapshot and then install.
oh well stuck with Bill Gates a while longer. <-QUOTE}
You can TRY it with an empty snapshot, but don't expect anything then.
If Linux was possible, it would certainly have been mentioned in the manual or help. But sometimes you can do unexpected things with software.
FDISR also says in the manual, I can't boot in an archive, but I can boot in an archive when I fool FDISR a little bit. ;D

[Huupi]

FDISR is NOT a security software and it doesn't see the difference between good and bad objects, but the copy/update from rollback snapshot removes all changes, the good changes and the bad changes.
FDISR cleans your computer better than any AV-scanner, because AV-scanners can have missing signatures and false positives.
FDISR doesn't have these problems, because it removes CHANGES.{QUOTE->

Sure copy/updating from archive to changed snapshot kills all changes included the baddies from WWW but a more urgent question for me is in howfar bad code can penetrate the other snapshots on same disk !?! As it is easy to explore with most file explorers the content of these snapshots,so can ..............!?! So i assume its easy to write code that would crack the very simple selfprotection these software uses ! Its better then to build your confidence on the regular anti malware protection installed on your rig.For me i see its use mainly for recovery from system torture due to my ignorance, and for sure have my security up to date.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
Sure copy/updating from archive to changed snapshot kills all changes included the baddies from WWW but a more urgent question for me is in howfar bad code can penetrate the other snapshots on same disk !?! As it is easy to explore with most file explorers the content of these snapshots,so can ..............!?! So i assume its easy to write code that would crack the very simple selfprotection these software uses ! Its better then to build your confidence on the regular anti malware protection installed on your rig.For me i see its use mainly for recovery from system torture due to my ignorance, and for sure have my security up to date. <-QUOTE}
So far, there is no proof that an infection can jump from one snapshot to another snapshot.

As long experts don't test FDISR, like they do with scanners over and over again, we will never know how good FDISR really is.
The BBC honeypot would have been a beautiful test for FDISR : a work snapshot as honeypot and then clean it up with a rollback archive.

[tradetime]

Hi Zoril,
I can only add my applause for FD-ISR, have been using the software for a few months now and really like it. Have no stories of how it has saved me I'm afraid, (afterall it has only been a few months ;) ) but I did have a niggling little problem with my system that a copy/update from the secondary snapshot stopped, no idea what the problem was, other than my AV throwing up an error on boot but no indication that anything else was amiss, and the AV seemed to be functioning fine on cancellation of the error message. Whether it would have been temporary or something more complicated, I can't say and to be honest don't much care since it is gone.

It takes a little time to get used to, for me anyway, as I have never used this type of app b4, but seems well worth the effort. Probably I am missing something, but I don't feel the need for any other recovery software besides this (if anyone knows different please correct my misunderstanding).

I use the program in the standard basic fashion (if there is such a thing) that is to say, primary snapshot and 2 backups. I also use it to facilitate a kind of multi-boot system. That is to say I have a play setup with backups, and a working setup with backups which I only use for work as the name suggests. I also have an archived copy of each setup on another computer on my network.

As for other forms of protection, I'm afraid I am neither as computer knowledgeable as Peter or Eric or as brave, and do feel the need to have a few apps such as AV, Sandboxie and HIPS. Am currently testing Returnil

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> So far, there is no proof that an infection can jump from one snapshot to another snapshot.

As long experts don't test FDISR, like they do with scanners over and over again, we will never know how good FDISR really is.
The BBC honeypot would have been a beautiful test for FDISR : a work snapshot as honeypot and then clean it up with a rollback archive. <-QUOTE}

Never heard about that sweety !

[EASTER]

{QUOTE-> I can certainly see even in the short time that I have used FDI-ISR that the program has incredible potential for me. I have still much to learn, so will definitely spend more time using the program on a daily basis before even looking at freezing/anchoring etc. I may well end up not needing to use those facilites, but I will paddle a while longer before learning to swim re this excellent program.

Have a great evening all...


Howard <-QUOTE}

Indeed FD-ISR exhibits great potential. It continues unabated on my units for months now as one of only a choice few apps that prove invaluable to preserving data safely. Much of that confidence & virtual fail-proof capability from my own observations from experience, lies in the archival feature which serves as the building blocks for complete restores.

Given the always present possibility that some clever coder might one day decide to fashion an exploit to corrupt images/archives on the system drive, the wise route is to ALWAYS keep some (important or all) archives to alternative storage media as suggested. Takes no time at all really to transfer via copy snapshots and/or archives over to a SAFE PLACE completely free from your working system as an emergency apparatus in event of such an occurance.

This is been my practice ever since i first discovered this wonderfully safe and reliable feature FD-ISR affords us dedicated users. However and in retrospect, i still have yet to experience a single serious corruption in either operation of this great program or interuption from any invader malware.

ErikAlbert continues to point out as always a virtual list of possibilities as well as a variety of actions that can be taken to make the very most of FD-ISR in a working environment.

This program for me is been as routine as notepad and is not let my units down in all these months. Excellent creation. Hope all goes well 4 you with it and proves to be just as invaluable for you as many other loyal supporters of it.

EASTER

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Never heard about that sweety ! <-QUOTE}
If you google with the words "BBC Honeypot", you will find some articles about it and it was also mentioned at Wilders. :)

[Acadia]

{QUOTE-> Yes I did, but stuff on my computer DISAPPEARED and I don't like that. <-QUOTE}
Erik, what do you mean by "disappeared"? You mean to the extent that even FirstDefense or your imaging program could not recover the stuff? Thanks.

Acadia

[zoril]

From what I see reading the many posts about "virtual programs" - Sandboxie, Returnil Shadow Surfer etc, while most people feel that they are a really good form of protection, the number one thing on the wish list especially for software testers, is for the program to be able to re-boot without losing everything good and bad alike...

I seem to vaguely recall some time ago reading a write up about one "virtual type program" where it may be possible to reboot without losing everything. It is called "Windows Steady State" and is for people using genuine versions of Microsoft Windows.

Have any of you ever heard of or tried out this software program, which to the best of my knowledge is freeware?

I have not tried it out myself, n'or am I even certain that you can re boot without losing all, as I can't remember much about the article, or even about the program. If it is possible to reboot without losing all, it would be very handy for software testers and many others also...

The enthusiasm expressed by Easter and tradetime for FD-ISR matches my own feelings exactly. It is an incredibly stable useful program. I have not experienced any problems yet with this software. Mind you I do feel that the manual should be updated and simplified. The FD-ISR technicians if they read this complete thread should use ErikAlbert's explanations as the basis for any such revision (with his permission naturally), as they are clear, concise, and written in such a way that even a newbie like me can fully understand them.


Howard

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> From what I see reading the many posts about "virtual programs" - Sandboxie, Returnil Shadow Surfer etc, while most people feel that they are a really good form of protection, the number one thing on the wish list especially for software testers, is for the program to be able to re-boot without losing everything good and bad alike...

I seem to vaguely recall some time ago reading a write up about one "virtual type program" where it may be possible to reboot without losing everything. It is called "Windows Steady State" and is for people using genuine versions of Microsoft Windows.

Have any of you ever heard of or tried out this software program, which to the best of my knowledge is freeware?

I have not tried it out myself, n'or am I even certain that you can re boot without losing all, as I can't remember much about the article, or even about the program. If it is possible to reboot without losing all, it would be very handy for software testers and many others also...

The enthusiasm expressed by Easter and tradetime for FD-ISR matches my own feelings exactly. It is an incredibly stable useful program. I have not experienced any problems yet with this software. Mind you I do feel that the manual should be updated and simplified. The FD-ISR technicians if they read this complete thread should use ErikAlbert's explanations as the basis for any such revision (with his permission naturally), as they are clear, concise, and written in such a way that even a newbie like me can fully understand them.


Howard <-QUOTE}

Hi Howard

Short of the virtual machines I like Sandboxie, because you can leave stuff in thru reboot, or delete stuff from it without reboot. But also for some purposes Returnil is excellent. I just can't use it on my desktops because of Raid 0. Needless to say FDISR, is my top dog.

Pete

[zoril]

Hi there Peter:)

I was thinking about trying out both Sandboxie and Returnil. Although having read Erik's earlier comment re Sandboxie in this thread, I am a little hesitant to try it out.

I may also try out SteadyState, but would first love to hear comments from anyone else who has used the program...


Howard

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Hi there Peter:)

I was thinking about trying out both Sandboxie and Returnil. Although having read Erik's earlier comment re Sandboxie in this thread, I am a little hesitant to try it out.

I may also try out SteadyState, but would first love to hear comments from anyone else who has used the program...


Howard <-QUOTE}

Sandboxie is pretty safe to try. I tried an earlier version on my THinkpad and it didn't work. Just uninstalled no problem. Newer versions work fine there. So does returnil.

I looked at Steadystate, but it was over kill for me. Also seemed overly complex. I didn't even bother downloading.

Pete

[silver0066]

{QUOTE-> Hi there Peter:)

I was thinking about trying out both Sandboxie and Returnil. Although having read Erik's earlier comment re Sandboxie in this thread, I am a little hesitant to try it out.

I may also try out SteadyState, but would first love to hear comments from anyone else who has used the program...


Howard <-QUOTE}Howard,

Sandboxie works great. I have been using it for sometime now and I never had the problems that Erik had even though I have partitioned my disks pretty much the same as he has.

Silver

[tradetime]

I have been using Sandboxie for a little over a year now on three different machines and have experienced no significant problems. Am still using version 2.64 though so would not like to speak for other versions. Am now running Returnil alongside it for two days, so far so good.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Erik, what do you mean by "disappeared"? You mean to the extent that even FirstDefense or your imaging program could not recover the stuff? Thanks. <-QUOTE}
The folder "My Documents" disappeared, while I was working with Sandboxie.
I think Sandboxie doesn't like my separation of system files and personal files, which are stored on two different harddisks : system partition [C:] and data partition [D:].

Just like users ditch certain softwares to keep FDISR, I ditch also softwares that don't like my separation of system and data.
If the software is important to me, I do more effort to nail and solve the problem, if not, I ditch the software and replace it with something else and without spending time on looking for the cause of the problem.
Sandboxie wasn't that important to me and I replaced it with DefenseWall, which doesn't have any problem with my separation.

I spend already enough time on my computer and sometimes I like to have fun with my computer also. I'm getting old, I don't have the same energy anymore as when I was young. So I'm not so idealistic anymore like I used to be.
If software developers want me to test their software and report problems and the software isn't important to me, I like to get paid. I only work for free, if the software is important to me. :)

P.S.: I can't restore my personal data with FDISR, because my data is stored on another partition [D:] and FDISR works only on the system partition [C:].
The only way for me to restore my personal data is ShadowProtect.

[Acadia]

Thanks, Erik, that all makes sense. :)

Acadia

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Howard,

Sandboxie works great. I have been using it for sometime now and I never had the problems that Erik had even though I have partitioned my disks pretty much the same as he has.

Silver <-QUOTE}
I didn't USE Sandboxie, I TESTED Sandboxie and that's when it happened.
There is a big difference between USING and TESTING softwares.
If you only USE softwares, you only use the stuff that you need. If you TEST softwares, you don't only use the stuff you need, you also use or try stuff that you don't need. When I test software, I have only one goal : break the software.
I just didn't look for the cause of the problem, because I didn't have the time and I already had a replacement for Sandboxie.
I'm used to test softwares, that is a part of my job, but at work I'm getting paid. :)
Besides, DefenseWall is more userfriendly than Sandboxie.

[silver0066]

{QUOTE-> I didn't USE Sandboxie, I TESTED Sandboxie and that's when it happened.
There is a big difference between USING and TESTING softwares.
If you only USE softwares, you only use the stuff that you need. If you TEST softwares, you don't only use the stuff you need, you also use or try stuff that you don't need. When I test software, I have only one goal : break the software.
I just didn't look for the cause of the problem, because I didn't have the time and I already had a replacement for Sandboxie.
I'm used to test softwares, that is a part of my job, but at work I'm getting paid. :)
Besides, DefenseWall is more userfriendly than Sandboxie. <-QUOTE}I have my System and Data on separate partitions. I USE Sandboxie with no problems. I TESTED DefenseWall and found Sandboxie much more user friendly and switched back to Sandboxie. I am currently running the latest version, 3.07.

"To each his own."

[Huupi]

P.S.: I can't restore my personal data with FDISR, because my data is stored on another partition [D:] and FDISR works only on the system partition [C:].
The only way for me to restore my personal data is ShadowProtect.{QUOTE->

With SP i only backup C partition for speed at backup/restore. D parttition with the personal data is served with the simple backup restore app. Karen Replicator (one of the greatest you can get freeware).For safety all backups reside on a etx.USB drive. FYI restore time C 13,8GB = 6.44 min.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> P.S.: I can't restore my personal data with FDISR, because my data is stored on another partition [D:] and FDISR works only on the system partition [C:].
The only way for me to restore my personal data is ShadowProtect.{QUOTE->

With SP i only backup C partition for speed at backup/restore. D parttition with the personal data is served with the simple backup restore app. Karen Replicator (one of the greatest you can get freeware).For safety all backups reside on a etx.USB drive. FYI restore time C 13,8GB = 6.44 min. <-QUOTE}
Normally, I don't need a second backup software. ShadowProtect backups/restores my system partition and data partition very well.
Is Karen Replicator really faster than ShadowProtect ? If not why do you use it for data backup instead of SP ?

[EASTER]

I'm trying the very latest Sandboxie program again and expect much better results than before. It was always one of those apps i simply couldn't make work well enough to keep but i never quit, i just keep holding out for that one version improvement that finally makes the grade.

FD-ISR trumps anything Returnil in my book simply because it is one of those rare finds that i don't have any problems with plus works for me like a storage facility that i can always depend on to 110% restore my system(s) thanks in part to the archival feature to alternative media.

I yet to find any other rollback app of such efficiency that is even remotely close to living up to it.

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> {QUOTE-> P.S.: I can't restore my personal data with FDISR, because my data is stored on another partition [D:] and FDISR works only on the system partition [C:].
The only way for me to restore my personal data is ShadowProtect.
Normally, I don't need a second backup software. ShadowProtect backups/restores my system partition and data partition very well.
Is Karen Replicator really faster than ShadowProtect ? If not why do you use it for data backup instead of SP ? <-QUOTE}

Maybe in your case i don't know ,if you have SP installed and making incrementals everynow and then of C and D then its all you need.I image only with recovery CD the C part, so i am concerned about, how long it takes to backup and restore,hence i minimize my C part. as small as i can get (its an ongoing process).Karen Replicator takes care for the D part.and does it very,very well. I think Karen Replicator is in a class with ShadowProtect and FDISR,great each in their functionality they are build for. People who are making incrementals with imaging software from within Windows,their only concern is restore times,if you image from the recovery CD,then backup times comes into play also .About your last question, data on D part. is huge so with all my databases,images,music,office who are in a constant flux,i have found a way to do incrementals and sync(important) my data on D with KR.So eventually its all about TIME !!

[silver0066]

{QUOTE-> P.S.: I can't restore my personal data with FDISR, because my data is stored on another partition [D:] and FDISR works only on the system partition [C:].
The only way for me to restore my personal data is ShadowProtect.{QUOTE->

With SP i only backup C partition for speed at backup/restore. D parttition with the personal data is served with the simple backup restore app. Karen Replicator (one of the greatest you can get freeware).For safety all backups reside on a etx.USB drive. FYI restore time C 13,8GB = 6.44 min. <-QUOTE}Another great program for backing up data files is Superflexible File Synchronizer. Faster than SP or Acronis with many customizable options.

[Huupi]

Hey Silver the first lines of your last post is not mine ,its from Erik Albert!

[EASTER]

{QUOTE-> Another great program for backing up data files is Superflexible File Synchronizer. Faster than SP or Acronis with many customizable options. <-QUOTE}

I have and use that one but not 100% certain it's an ironclad answer but it DOES perform and perform well enough on this end.

SP, while i'm sure a very nice new creation with great results discourages me that they focus more intently on commercial interest which means the rest of us get the crumbs usually. But sometimes even the crumbs of one app proves better than enough then the more popularly acceptable ones.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> I have and use that one but not 100% certain it's an ironclad answer but it DOES perform and perform well enough on this end.

SP, while i'm sure a very nice new creation with great results discourages me that they focus more intently on commercial interest which means the rest of us get the crumbs usually. But sometimes even the crumbs of one app proves better than enough then the more popularly acceptable ones. <-QUOTE}

In case of Shadowprotect, the commercial interest is what pays there bills, but also gives them the motivation, to make SP a first class product. In these case I prefer the crumbs to some other slices of bread.

[EASTER]

Well Pete, if they need to make up for lost revenue from cracked ShadowSurfer it would do them great service to bring aboard ALL users and not just commercial interests alone. That can take on the appearance they are bios against other interested users in which case they will LOSE interest and encouragements that would better suit their bottom line then showing signs of favoritism, after all, we are all in this together and not just considered EXPENDABLE.

[ErikAlbert]

Since KarenReplicator (KR) was on my list of softwares-to-try (KR has a good reputation) and was mentioned in this thread,
I compared ShadowProtect (SP) with KR, doing a full backup of my Data Partition.

SP = 21 minuts = 31.6 GB (normal compression)
KR = 22 minuts = 33.7 GB (no compression)

So there is certainly not a big difference in time and required space.
KR requires of course more space, because it simply copy/pastes all files of data partition [D:] to backup partition [E:] and that's it. KR doesn't create an image.

I was impressed by KR's speed, only 1 minut more than SP, I expected alot more. People usually claim that file backup is much slower than image backup, but not in this case.
My data partition has nothing but folders and files, so an IMAGE isn't really required.

I'm not going to use KR, because SP does the same job and I don't see any advantage to use two softwares for the same job. My backup of data partition looks exactly the same as my backup of system partition, only the source and target are different and I like that.

[kennyboy]

{QUOTE->
I'm not going to use KR, because SP does the same job and I don't see any advantage to use two softwares for the same job. My backup of data partition looks exactly the same as my backup of system partition, only the source and target are different and I like that. <-QUOTE}

Impressive results for KR Erik. Thankyou for the testing.

Difference between the two programs though is that KR is free and SP is too expensive for many of us. That together with the strict application of the activation process really put me off SP however good it is.

I understand though that they are really not targetting the single user market due to support costs. This would certainly be an issue with less knowledgable users who are not familiar with imaging.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Impressive results for KR Erik. Thankyou for the testing.

Difference between the two programs though is that KR is free and SP is too expensive for many of us. That together with the strict application of the activation process really put me off SP however good it is.
<-QUOTE}
I don't know what KR does with MBR for instance, if you backup your system partition. It only seems to backup folders and files. So I wouldn't be surprised if KR doesn't backup the MBR at all and that could cause a problem in certain situations.

[kennyboy]

{QUOTE-> I don't know what KR does with MBR for instance, if you backup your system partition. It only seems to backup folders and files. So I wouldn't be surprised if KR doesn't backup the MBR at all and that could cause a problem in certain situations. <-QUOTE}

Yes of course. KR does only seem suitable for Data etc. Sad that ATI/Paragon/SP or similar are needed for the system partition.

Worth trying anyway.

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Since KarenReplicator (KR) was on my list of softwares-to-try (KR has a good reputation) and was mentioned in this thread,
I compared ShadowProtect (SP) with KR, doing a full backup of my Data Partition.

SP = 21 minuts = 31.6 GB (normal compression)
KR = 22 minuts = 33.7 GB (no compression)

So there is certainly not a big difference in time and required space.
KR requires of course more space, because it simply copy/pastes all files of data partition [D:] to backup partition [E:] and that's it. KR doesn't create an image.

I was impressed by KR's speed, only 1 minut more than SP, I expected alot more. People usually claim that file backup is much slower than image backup, but not in this case.
My data partition has nothing but folders and files, so an IMAGE isn't really required.

I'm not going to use KR, because SP does the same job and I don't see any advantage to use two softwares for the same job. My backup of data partition looks exactly the same as my backup of system partition, only the source and target are different and I like that. <-QUOTE}


Hey Erik Albert, Karen Replicator was never intended and coded to do the same job like Shadow Protect,its like comparing a Steak with Dogshit. KR is just a simple file backup/sync app.So your testing leads to nothing but confusion.To make myself clear once again,because i image from the recovery disk[SP is not installed] i cant make incrementals to my system and data part. So my workaround is to image the system part. C once in a while(after an important,chance,install etc.) My data part. D is constantly updated,refreshed with KR.If horror strikes then i recover an image with SP(6 min.) and bring the recovered image current with a FDISR archive on a ext. disk.As always my data part. is uncluttered and current after recovery because i excluded this part. D from imaging.In your case you are imaging the whole disk and that takes a whole lot of time,so my workaround can serve you well to cut on backup/recovery times. everything i said here is with imaging from the recovery environment in mind,if you image from within the windows install then thats another story.FYI SP doesnot work on my system.

[eniqmah]

{QUOTE-> Hey Erik Albert, Karen Replicator was never intended and coded to do the same job like Shadow Protect,its like comparing a Steak with Dogshit. KR is just a simple file backup/sync app.So your testing leads to nothing but confusion.To make myself clear once again,because i image from the recovery disk[SP is not installed] i cant make incrementals to my system and data part. So my workaround is to image the system part. C once in a while(after an important,chance,install etc.) My data part. D is constantly updated,refreshed with KR.If horror strikes then i recover an image with SP(6 min.) and bring the recovered image current with a FDISR archive on a ext. disk.As always my data part. is uncluttered and current after recovery because i excluded this part. D from imaging.In your case you are imaging the whole disk and that takes a whole lot of time,so my workaround can serve you well to cut on backup/recovery times. everything i said here is with imaging from the recovery environment in mind,if you image from within the windows install then thats another story.FYI SP doesnot work on my system. <-QUOTE}

Dude, relax. He was just comparing copy speed in basic file copying use. Try to unconfuse yourself.

{QUOTE-> So a frozen snapshot requires a methodical approach, which isn't so easy in practice.
I'm just warning you, because I work with a frozen snapshot for quite some time and I'm still asking myself if it is good or bad to have a frozen snapshot. It has advantages but also disadvantages. <-QUOTE} Yeah..you get infected once, you keep passing it around to the other archives.
I was thinking : FD-ISR for snapshots and Deepfreeze to protect the whole disk. If trouble, thaw and restore the snapshots?
Ex:
1. Partition Disk 0 into: C(system)|D(snapshot storage).
2. Deepfreeze C. Then make snapshot to store on D
3. Surf pron or claim you were trying out new software.
4. Let's see, C can't be infected unless you're thawed - which means you're most likely trying out something that requires a reboot. If you did and got infected...restore clean snapshot from D?
Sounds like I might have to do this.

{QUOTE-> So you have three possibilities for personal data :
1. No anchoring.
2. Anchoring.
3. Another partition. <-QUOTE}

If my Documents folder is pointed @ another partition and I don't anchor the my document folder, will the folder be included in the snapshot?

{QUOTE-> I had thought about using freeze for one of my snapshots so that when browsing I could revert back to when I first booted. However there seems to be little point as I could just simply surf in secondary snapshot, then after surfing boot in primary and copy the original "pre surfing" primary to the secondary snapshot. <-QUOTE}


Here's the thing about ISR...if I could just get VMconverter to work, I can clone my system over and over and run it as a VM. Would that just kick ISR's ass all over the place?

Any ways, Erik, you rock my world. Thanks to the rest of you for this thread.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE->
If my Documents folder is pointed @ another partition and I don't anchor the my document folder, will the folder be included in the snapshot?
<-QUOTE}
If you decide to store your personal data on another partition, it means that FDISR will ignore that other partition.
FDISR works only on partition [C:] and ignores any other partition.
So anchoring or not anchoring doesn't count anymore, because you can only anchor folders/files on the partition [C:], not on other partitions.

You still have access to your personal data via each snapshot, but nothing more than that and your personal data is not included anymore in any of your snapshots or archives.

Regarding your other questions, I never used any of these softwares, so I can't help you there. :)

[eniqmah]

K,
thanks Alby.

[fce]

this is a good thread and should be in sticky.

i'll review again this thread when i install FDISR in my new laptop.

btw, is this the right procedure.... :-X

- uninstall all bloatware (only 5 bloatware...no need clean install)
- run ccleaner to clean registry
- uninstall ccleaner
- install FDISR
- run FDISR (i'll review again this thread)
- after i make my primary and secondary (no bloatware with FDISR installed) snapshot i'll install KAV7 or NOD32 and make another snapshot as my 3rd snapshot (no bloatware+FDISR+KAVorNOD)....my 3rd snapshot is my rollback snapshot.

also which FDISR should i download workstation or server? (im using vista)
thanks guys.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> this is a good thread and should be in sticky.

i'll review again this thread when i install FDISR in my new laptop.

btw, is this the right procedure.... :-X

- uninstall all bloatware (only 5 bloatware...no need clean install)
- run ccleaner to clean registry
- uninstall ccleaner
- install FDISR
- run FDISR (i'll review again this thread)
- after i make my primary and secondary (no bloatware with FDISR installed) snapshot i'll install KAV7 or NOD32 and make another snapshot as my 3rd snapshot (no bloatware+FDISR+KAVorNOD)....my 3rd snapshot is my rollback snapshot.

also which FDISR should i download workstation or server? (im using vista)
thanks guys. <-QUOTE}
FDISR workstation will be enough. The latest version is 3.20 build 202.
Keep in mind that FDISR is quite space consuming. So keep a good eye on the volume of your harddisk, when you are creating snapshots.
We can give you hints to reduce the required space, if you give us some numbers : capacity of harddisk, volume of system and volume of personal data (= folder "My Documents" ). External harddisk available ? :)

[fce]

{QUOTE-> FDISR workstation will be enough. The latest version is 3.20 build 202.
Keep in mind that FDISR is quite space consuming. So keep a good eye on the volume of your harddisk, when you are creating snapshots.
We can give you hints to reduce the required space, if you give us some numbers : capacity of harddisk, volume of system and volume of personal data (= folder "My Documents" ). External harddisk available ? :) <-QUOTE}

the capacity of my new laptop is 250GB without external harddisk....also there's two drive C & D (as far as i know). I think I will consume 50GB for my personal documents and software....10GB for personal docs/pics/video.

also i created thread in other forum, can somebody advise if FDISR works with this combo (KAV7 or NOD32)+Vista Firewall+Netgear Router Firewall?

[EASTER]

{QUOTE-> also i created thread in other forum, can somebody advise if FDISR works with this combo (KAV7 or NOD32)+Vista Firewall+Netgear Router Firewall? <-QUOTE}

Works perfect here with XP SP2. Give it a try.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> the capacity of my new laptop is 250GB without external harddisk....also there's two drive C & D (as far as i know). I think I will consume 50GB for my personal documents and software....10GB for personal docs/pics/video.

also i created thread in other forum, can somebody advise if FDISR works with this combo (KAV7 or NOD32)+Vista Firewall+Netgear Router Firewall? <-QUOTE}
In that case space won't be a problem, I have only 70gb for Windows + FDISR + All Applications and I can go upto 10 snapshots, which is the maximum of bootable snapshots in FDISR.
My personal data is stored on my second internal harddisk.

Assuming that you have everything on one harddisk, I recommend to anchor the folder "My Documents" in FDISR, otherwise your personal data will be stored in each snapshot.

The latest version 3.20 build 202 is compatible with winVISTA.
So make sure you have that version, because older versions are NOT compatible with winVISTA.
In theory you have to assume that all softwares work with FDISR. Sometimes we have problems with certain security softwares.
If you have any problem write a post in this forum and we will see what we can do. You also can contact the support service of the company, where you bought FDISR.

Since you are a new user you better keep in contact with this forum for awhile and if you don't understand something, just ask. This forum has many experienced FDISR-users. :)

[fce]

thanks erik.

Yup i'll ask more question after i install FDISR this week. after reading first page of this thread it give me a lot of information how to use FDISR.

Btw, i have some concern regarding this message from HorizonDataSysInc. website hope you can give me some insight. If this problem still exist 'til now I might use NOD32 instead of KAV7.


Is FirstDefense-ISR compatible with my anti-virus software?
FirstDefense-ISR is fully compatible with most modern anti-virus applications.

We have found that Kaspersky Labs Anti-Virus adds a data attribute to the user's source files. This modification of the user's source files is against our integrity checks and thus Kaspersky Labs Anti-virus should not be installed for FirstDefense-ISR to fully protect your system. We have notified Kaspersky Labs, since any application performing file integrity checks may cause problems.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> thanks erik.

Yup i'll ask more question after i install FDISR this week. after reading first page of this thread it give me a lot of information how to use FDISR.

Btw, i have some concern regarding this message from HorizonDataSysInc. website hope you can give me some insight. If this problem still exist 'til now I might use NOD32 instead of KAV7.


Is FirstDefense-ISR compatible with my anti-virus software?
FirstDefense-ISR is fully compatible with most modern anti-virus applications.

We have found that Kaspersky Labs Anti-Virus adds a data attribute to the user's source files. This modification of the user's source files is against our integrity checks and thus Kaspersky Labs Anti-virus should not be installed for FirstDefense-ISR to fully protect your system. We have notified Kaspersky Labs, since any application performing file integrity checks may cause problems. <-QUOTE}

I never had any problem with FDISR and KAV 6.0 thru KAV 7.0. I did however always disable KAV(or any realtime AV) when I was doing a copy/update with FDISR. Reason being FDISR opening all the files will cause any scanner to try and scan. THIs will slow down FDISR.

Pete

[fce]

{QUOTE-> I never had any problem with FDISR and KAV 6.0 thru KAV 7.0. I did however always disable KAV(or any realtime AV) when I was doing a copy/update with FDISR. Reason being FDISR opening all the files will cause any scanner to try and scan. THIs will slow down FDISR.

Pete <-QUOTE}

thanks peter.

how long it takes you when you copy/update with FDISR with/without KAV ? whats the capacity of your harddisk?

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> thanks peter.

how long it takes you when you copy/update with FDISR with/without KAV ? whats the capacity of your harddisk? <-QUOTE}

Usually it take 3-5 minutes max, sometimes quicker. I have a raid 0 c drive that is 640g, and I save archives on a 2nd 320g drive.

Also I don't update to a 2nd snapshot, but to an archive.

Pete

[EASTER]

{QUOTE-> Usually it take 3-5 minutes max, sometimes quicker. I have a raid 0 c drive that is 640g, and I save archives on a 2nd 320g drive.

Also I don't update to a 2nd snapshot, but to an archive.

Pete <-QUOTE}

Whether it was intended for that purpose (which it was), or not as ErikAlbert so eloquently and often has pointed out ( and the manual) LoL

I also Copy/Update to ARCHIVE and not to snapshot which has freed up all 10 snapshots to be individually different in any config/appearance as a user deems fit for them. And thats the Wonder of this program, it opens up several avenues to explore everything from your creativity to testing programs & configurations without the fright of losing something of importance to your work.

As it stands, i keep a compliment of 2 duplicate ARCHIVES for every snapshot i've created, and keep at least one of those off the extra storage partition in event of Hard Drive failure. I've even transferred some lite one's up to 3.7Gb onto DVD although they are not exactly my chosen media type.

ErikAlbert is recently brought to attention something i completely have overlooked in the storaging of ARCHIVES & SNAPSHOTS, and thats placing them onto .ISO files. :thumb:

[MerleOne]

Sorry if I missed it, but I don't see how to compress an existing snapshot, or to make it so that it is compressed at creation. I just don't see where the option resides.

Thanks !

{QUOTE-> Hi Howard and welcome to the club.

...

3) If you have enough space, you don't really need compressed snapshots.
If space is a problem, you might need compressed snapshots. The choice is upto you.
If I was you I would start with normal snapshots, because these compressed snapshots create alot of blue files in Windows Explorer.
...


<-QUOTE}

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Sorry if I missed it, but I don't see how to compress an existing snapshot, or to make it so that it is compressed at creation. I just don't see where the option resides.

Thanks ! <-QUOTE}
Copy/Update an existing snapshot to <new compressed snapshot> and give it another name.
Remove the existing snapshot and change the name of the compressed snapshot into the old name.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Sorry if I missed it, but I don't see how to compress an existing snapshot, or to make it so that it is compressed at creation. I just don't see where the option resides.

Thanks ! <-QUOTE}

I don't think you can. Has to be a new one.

[MerleOne]

Thanks ! Just under my eyes and I didn't see it.

{QUOTE-> Copy/Update an existing snapshot to <new compressed snapshot> and give it another name.
Remove the existing snapshot and change the name of the compressed snapshot into the old name. <-QUOTE}

[MerleOne]

{QUOTE-> I don't think you can. Has to be a new one. <-QUOTE}

Thanks for this confirmation.

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> Thanks ! Just under my eyes and I didn't see it. <-QUOTE}
My advice : when you copy/update take the time to read all these screens thoroughly : source snapshot screen, destination snapshot screen, the full processing screen. Keep an eye on what is changed on these screens.
Copy/update = create, copy, update, archive, restore and depends on what you decide to use in source snapshot and destination snapshot screens.
You also can create, remove, copy, rename, archive (more than once), change the contents, ... snapshots at free will.
All snapshots are INDEPENDENT and keep in mind that copy/update creates always IDENTICAL snapshots/archives and the source snapshot/archive decides what the destination snapshot/archive will be. Very important !!!

[tradetime]

Quick question more out of curiosity than anything else. The "Disable Pre-boot screen" option. When and / or why would you use this?

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Quick question more out of curiosity than anything else. The "Disable Pre-boot screen" option. When and / or why would you use this? <-QUOTE}

Used to be you used it to take FDISR out of the mbr for imaging. But the combination of improvements in FDISR, and imaging programs, have changed all that. Fact is I don't remember the last time I disabled preboot.

Pete

[tradetime]

{QUOTE-> Used to be you used it to take FDISR out of the mbr for imaging. But the combination of improvements in FDISR, and imaging programs, have changed all that. Fact is I don't remember the last time I disabled preboot.

Pete <-QUOTE}
Thanx Pete, was just curious, as I couldn't think of a use for it. :)