Any danger in trying different disk imaging programs?

[plawlis]

I've seen several threads encouraging readers to download trial versions of imaging software to allow us to compare them. I've had a terrible time with Acronis, and part of it has been that it's been VERY difficult to upgrade from one version to the next b/c vestiges of the old version hide in obscure places. I've spent hours deleting registry values, etc.

Thus, my question: if I go downloading some of the ones discussed in this forum, is there much of a chance I'll have significant problems uninstalling them, or having conflicts among old and new?

Phil

[lucas1985]

The best way to test imaging software is to make an image of your system WITHOUT imaging software installed and use it to restore your system to a clean state.
Obviously, having an image without imaging software installed means that you must do the imaging from the recovery CD (BartPE, WinPE, Linux, DOS, etc)

[plawlis]

Thanks, Lucas. I guess all of them allow a trial user to make a recovery CD for the purpose you suggest...

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Thanks, Lucas. I guess all of them allow a trial user to make a recovery CD for the purpose you suggest... <-QUOTE}

Don't forget the ATI driver in 32[driversmap]snapman.exe to remove first !Thereafter its save to unstall others.

[plawlis]

OK. I hope that's all!

[Woody777]

The only imaging program that has ever given me problems uninstalling was Acronis. Drive Snapshot Paragon & one or two others all uninstalled very easily.

[nexstar]

Drive Snapshot doesn't even need to be installed, so is very easy to get rid of :) .

Graham

[unbob]

Phil, check out BootIt Next Generation (BootIt NG, or BING) at http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

It boots and runs independently from whatever OS you're running. And, it's much more than just an imaging program.

I've used BING for over 2 years with no problem whatsoever.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Rob

[appster]

Just a few thoughts from a guy who owns Acronis TI, Drive Snapshot and Paragon Hard Disk Mgr. I happen to prefer Drive Snapshot because it produces the smallest and fastest image of the 3 when backing up my Rollback Rx sysem partition.

With that said, both Acronis and Paragon provide an easy-to-use rescue boot CD, something that neither DS or IFW do. In order to backup/restore with DS or IFW from outside of your normal Windows environment you either have to use their less-than-easy DOS progams or use a separate 'PE' boot disk.

Don't be put off... When used (and removed) properly, they all do the job (with no danger)! ;)

[tepe2]

{QUOTE-> Phil, check out BootIt Next Generation (BootIt NG, or BING) at http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

It boots and runs independently from whatever OS you're running. And, it's much more than just an imaging program.

I've used BING for over 2 years with no problem whatsoever.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Rob <-QUOTE}
Agree. I am no expert and at first BootIt NG scared me a bit. But I read about it and learned from tutorial videos. It was not hard to learn. Very reliable also as a partition tool. I admit it is not very userfriendly but I would not change it for other imaging/partition tool. Have it on CD or installed in own small partition or both. The best software I ever bought.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/support-bootit-next-generation.htm

[plawlis]

I downloaded the trial version of Hard Disk Manager Suite, 8.5. I get an error message when I try to do an image from w/in Windows. It allowed me to do it from the rescue disk, but the rescue disk would NOT allow me to do anything else, e.g., RECOVER the files I imaged, repartition, etc. When I try, I first get the "you have the trial version, buy now/later" screen, and then an error message (Drive not ready).

Question: Is it possible the trial version wouldn't allow me to do these other functions, or could it be something is "up" with my machine--it's a bit like the problems that I've had with Acronis--3 mos. later they still can't make it work.

[appster]

{QUOTE-> I downloaded the trial version of Hard Disk Manager Suite, 8.5. I get an error message when I try to do an image from w/in Windows. It allowed me to do it from the rescue disk, but the rescue disk would NOT allow me to do anything else, e.g., RECOVER the files I imaged, repartition, etc. When I try, I first get the "you have the trial version, buy now/later" screen, and then an error message (Drive not ready).

Question: Is it possible the trial version wouldn't allow me to do these other functions, or could it be something is "up" with my machine--it's a bit like the problems that I've had with Acronis--3 mos. later they still can't make it work. <-QUOTE}It should be fully-functional from within Windows for 30-days. Naturally, the recovery CD's functionality will be limited on the trial version. What problems did you have with ATI?

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> I downloaded the trial version of Hard Disk Manager Suite, 8.5. I get an error message when I try to do an image from w/in Windows. It allowed me to do it from the rescue disk, but the rescue disk would NOT allow me to do anything else, e.g., RECOVER the files I imaged, repartition, etc. When I try, I first get the "you have the trial version, buy now/later" screen, and then an error message (Drive not ready).

Question: Is it possible the trial version wouldn't allow me to do these other functions, or could it be something is "up" with my machine--it's a bit like the problems that I've had with Acronis--3 mos. later they still can't make it work. <-QUOTE}

Weird ??? You get a recovery Cd from them and it didn't work [restrictions ?],IMO ditch it asap and and get some reliable stuf from StorageCraft or the Ghost thingy.

[plawlis]

Appster, With ATI, whenever I try to backup, the program freezes. I've worked with them for literally 2+ mos, and they've finally sent it to their developers. I decided to try another program, and so when it ALSO tells me I can't backup (w/in windows), it makes me suspicious that there is a conflict with my machine...

[appster]

{QUOTE-> Appster, With ATI, whenever I try to backup, the program freezes. I've worked with them for literally 2+ mos, and they've finally sent it to their developers. I decided to try another program, and so when it ALSO tells me I can't backup (w/in windows), it makes me suspicious that there is a conflict with my machine... <-QUOTE}
First of all, when you say ATI, are you referring to ATI 11? Is it a demo or full version (and which build)? I'm also curious as to the makeup of your PC. Can you describe the hardware including the OS?

[appster]

{QUOTE-> Weird ??? You get a recovery Cd from them and it didn't work [restrictions ?],IMO ditch it asap and and get some reliable stuf from StorageCraft or the Ghost thingy. <-QUOTE}Not at all. If they were to provide a fully functional recovery CD with a trial/demo version, they would be 'giving away the store'. I very much doubt that StorageCraft and Symantec do otherwise!

[Hairy Coo]

{QUOTE-> Nlot at all. If they were to provide a fully functional recovery CD with a trial/demo version, they would be 'giving away the store'. I very much doubt that StorageCraft and Symantec do otherwise! <-QUOTE}

Storage Craft Shadow Protect certainly has provision for making the full recovery environment disk .

All you need do is to request the full evaluation (exactly the same features as the paid version) here (http://www.storagecraft.com/products/ShadowProtectDesktop/)- download and burn the ISO image.

Full,helpful Support and 30 days trial.

This is the imager of my choice by a big margin and Ive tried most,because of its combination of useful features,simplicity,speed and utter reliability.

Any one trying out owes it to themselves to trial this one,even if it costs a few bucks more-so what!

edit;the evaluation version has full functionality except for the hardware restore feature,which is used to transfer images to a new computer.This is the only app Ive tried which succeeds in getting new hardware working with an image from a different computer.Alone worth its weight in gold!

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Storage Craft Shadow Protect certainly has provision for making the full recovery environment disk .

All you need do is to request the full evaluation (exactly the same features as the paid version) here (http://www.storagecraft.com/products/ShadowProtectDesktop/)- download and burn the ISO image.

Full,helpful Support and 30 days trial.

This is the imager of my choice by a big margin and Ive tried most,because of its combination of useful features,simplicity,speed and utter reliability.

Any one trying out owes it to themselves to trial this one,even if it costs a few bucks more-so what!

edit;the evaluation version has full functionality except for the hardware restore feature,which is used to transfer images to a new computer.This is the only app Ive tried which succeeds in getting new hardware working with an image from a different computer.Alone worth its weight in gold! <-QUOTE}

weight in gold,you said that ? every character is true !!

[egghead]

{QUOTE-> Phil, check out BootIt Next Generation (BootIt NG, or BING) at http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

It boots and runs independently from whatever OS you're running. And, it's much more than just an imaging program.

I've used BING for over 2 years with no problem whatsoever.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Rob <-QUOTE}

Same here.

I'm using BING now for almost 3 years. I have done lots, lots of imageing, partitioning, resizing etc. etc. Bing NEVER failed, not once !!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) It is the king of reliability. Price is a bargain. The best software investment I have made till now.

They also have a very good user forum with knowledgeable users.

[demoneye]

{QUOTE-> Storage Craft Shadow Protect certainly has provision for making the full recovery environment disk .

All you need do is to request the full evaluation (exactly the same features as the paid version) here (http://www.storagecraft.com/products/ShadowProtectDesktop/)- download and burn the ISO image.

Full,helpful Support and 30 days trial.

This is the imager of my choice by a big margin and Ive tried most,because of its combination of useful features,simplicity,speed and utter reliability.

Any one trying out owes it to themselves to trial this one,even if it costs a few bucks more-so what!

edit;the evaluation version has full functionality except for the hardware restore feature,which is used to transfer images to a new computer.This is the only app Ive tried which succeeds in getting new hardware working with an image from a different computer.Alone worth its weight in gold! <-QUOTE}

did u check/try ATI workstation with universal restore? its claim it can restore image to defent hardware pc`s also

[Hairy Coo]

{QUOTE-> did u check/try ATI workstation with universal restore? its claim it can restore image to defent hardware pc`s also <-QUOTE}

Interesting!

True Image Echo Workstation with Universal Restore is designed for large enterprises,but looks like it would do the job.

Cost seems to be around $110-00 for both-reasonable,unless thats the annual charge,which it doesnt seem to be.

Have you tried it?

Ordinary TI definitely wont do HIR.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Interesting!

True Image Echo Workstation with Universal Restore is designed for large enterprises,but looks like it would do the job.

Cost seems to be around $110-00 for both-reasonable,unless thats the annual charge,which it doesnt seem to be.

Have you tried it?

Ordinary TI definitely wont do HIR. <-QUOTE}

SP gets for you at $80, and I know it works well.

[Hairy Coo]

{QUOTE-> SP gets for you at $80, and I know it works well. <-QUOTE}

Yea,and some of the features seem similar to SP.

Compare (http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/ATICW/comparison.html)

[appster]

Regardless of whether you use HIR or UR when restoring an image from System A to System B, you better have all System B drivers on readily accessible media (e.g., CD) at the time of the restore! ;)