Looking for an ISR for testing programs

[Ashanta]

I've read some threads here about virtualization, ISR, imaging back up.

I'm looking for an Instant System Recovery program to test installation sofwares that require a boot system.

A good, safely and quick recovery program.

What do you suggest ?

[Creer]

Hello,

you can try Rollback Rx or EAZ-Fix (the same product, other distributor).
There is also First Defense ISR Rescue, but this product allows you to create only baseline and one snapshot.

[Ashanta]

Thanks Creer for your quickly reply,

Both Rollback Rx or EAZ-Fix are heavy programs, I think. I prefer ligher software concerning memory and CPU consumption.

What do you mean by "baseline" ? ???

[Creer]

I used Eaz-Fix for some time and it wasn't heavy for resources.
These days on the market there is also ShadowUser Pro (unfortunatelly not developed anymore).
Also you can read, interesting article BlueZannetti about virtualization here on Wilders:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=230459

Baseline is a first/primary/main 'snapshot'. Next snapshots are created to this baseline (it's looks like tree schema) which is default creates after installation process of Rollback Rx/Eaz-Fix.

HTH,

[Aaron Here]

-{ Quote: "Both Rollback Rx or EAZ-Fix are heavy programs, I think. I prefer ligher software concerning memory and CPU consumption." }-
Actually, the RAM/CPU overhead for EF/RB is quite low, but they do 'stretch-out' your startup time - averaging about 15 additional seconds in my experience.

Also on the plus-side, snapshots are much faster and much smaller compared to any other ISR. ;)

[Greg S]

-{ Quote: "
Also on the plus-side, snapshots are much faster and much smaller compared to any other ISR. ;)" }-
Curious to know what are the normal snapshot sizes with Eaz-Fix? For some reason mine tend to run high in comparison to some screenshots I've seen for other users. I've talked with the EF support and they agree that mine are high but they claim that something is changing/written on my drive causing them to be high. They suggested using Beyond Compare, mount a snapshot and compare the diffrence of the two. I've done so many times and can never find more than a few megs different but my snapshot sizes run in the 400mb plus range. I can take a snapshot, wait about 15 minutes take another and the second snapshot will be on average 80mb.

[Peter2150]

You don't have system restore, or any other automatic backup type program running do you?

[Ashanta]

Shadow User Pro don't work with Vista. Yesterday, I received an email from their support explained that they don't plan to release a SUP for Vista version.

About, Rollback, I heard from this forum user's so many troubles with this program. I don't think so, it's for me...for instant.

About, Eaz-fix seems to be the best as they aren't not troubles or issues.

Ay Recovery seems to be an alternative also, according to their support team.

Anybody has tried AR ?


Thanks Creer and Aaron for your sharings ! :) :)

[Creer]

You are welcome :)

AR is a earlier version of Rollback Rx (v6)
Rollback Rx and Eaz-Fix are the same softwares other distributor and price.

[Aaron Here]

-{ Quote: "Curious to know what are the normal snapshot sizes with Eaz-Fix? For some reason mine tend to run high in comparison to some screenshots I've seen for other users. I've talked with the EF support and they agree that mine are high but they claim that something is changing/written on my drive causing them to be high. They suggested using Beyond Compare, mount a snapshot and compare the diffrence of the two. I've done so many times and can never find more than a few megs different but my snapshot sizes run in the 400mb plus range. I can take a snapshot, wait about 15 minutes take another and the second snapshot will be on average 80mb." }-
Are you running Vista? ...if so, make sure you turn-off the automatic defrag!!! In any case, using a disk-defragger (other than the snapshot defragger in EF) will subsequently result in large snapshots!

Are you protecting disk-partitions other than C:? ...if so, I would suggest protecting just C:

My snapshots can be as small as 50MB, but are typically 100 - 400 MB. However, they can get > 1GB after a major update of Windows, IE, or MS Office!

[Greg S]

-{ Quote: "You don't have system restore, or any other automatic backup type program running do you?" }-
No other backup and system restore is disabled.
-{ Quote: "Are you running Vista? ...if so, make sure you turn-off the automatic defrag!!! In any case, using a disk-defragger (other than the snapshot defragger in EF) will subsequently result in large snapshots!" }-
No Vista but I do run some Vista apps which have been ported for XP. One in particular is the Vista Sidebar and I have suspected it at times as maybe having something to do with it, not for sure though.
-{ Quote: "
Are you protecting disk-partitions other than C:? ...if so, I would suggest protecting just C:" }- No partitions only C: 60 gig HD but I do have an external which shouldn't be a problem since it can't protect it.
-{ Quote: "
My snapshots can be as small as 50MB, but are typically 100 - 400 MB. However, they can get > 1GB after a major update of Windows, IE, or MS Office!" }-OK, this sounds encouraging. I only take manual snapshots and no auto. I went to install something yesterday, it had been two days since my last snap and the one yesterday was 478 MB. I use no defrag other than Eaz-Fix and I have to do that manually. In my eventlogs, Eaz-Fix is constantly reporting that it's defragging(auto background) with it showing that it never completes when started automatically. If I do it manually it reports the snaps, current, installation etc.. as having defragged. The auto background defrag never reports as having finished.

[ratchet]

-{ Quote: "Shadow User Pro don't work with Vista. Yesterday, I received an email from their support explained that they don't plan to release a SUP for Vista version.

About, Rollback, I heard from this forum user's so many troubles with this program. I don't think so, it's for me...for instant.

About, Eaz-fix seems to be the best as they aren't not troubles or issues.

Ay Recovery seems to be an alternative also, according to their support team.

Anybody has tried AR ?


Thanks Creer and Aaron for your sharings ! :) :)" }-

So I'm half way with the free one year AyR license that was offered at the end of December. Since I tend to try a lot of Apps or are to quick with the mouse or just plain stupid (I am 61 and way behind this learning curve) Ay has already saved my butt numerous times. Most recently, the massive Windows updates a few weeks ago included one for IE8. I'd installed it on both this desktop and my laptop when it was first offered without issue, however, the update really screwed up my laptop. Ay to the rescue...again! In December I'm going to purchase one of them since I now cannot live without!

[timcan]

-{ Quote: "Curious to know what are the normal snapshot sizes with Eaz-Fix? " }-
Sorry to take this thread off topic. Mods delete or move as necessary.

@ Greg S, my snapshot sizes were from 0MB to 2600MB while using online armor full.Maybe you have a program conflicting with eaz fix.
hope this helps

[timcan]

Since starting over without OA .

[Ashanta]

-{ Quote: "You are welcome :)

AR is a earlier version of Rollback Rx (v6)
Rollback Rx and Eaz-Fix are the same softwares other distributor and price." }-

Thanks for all this info !

I think Shadow Defender can do it also. You can keep the Shadow Mode after reboot, so that we can test softwares.

[Creer]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for all this info !

I think Shadow Defender can do it also. You can keep the Shadow Mode after reboot, so that we can test softwares." }-
Nope, unfortunatelly SD doesn't keep Shadow Mode after reboot so you can test on it only softwares which don't require reboot after installation.

[Ashanta]

Enter Shadow Defender snapshot:


http://www.imagebam.com/image/e833d340947586

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Enter Shadow Defender snapshot:


http://www.imagebam.com/image/e833d340947586" }-


What Creer was trying to say is yes you can stay in Shadow mode after a reboot, but you system is returned to it's preshadow configurations.

[Huupi]

-{ Quote: "What Creer was trying to say is yes you can stay in Shadow mode after a reboot, but you system is returned to it's preshadow configurations." }-

ISR vendors know already for a long time that some users request a mode to stay in shadow after reboot without losing changes.
I guess its technically very difficult to implement that in software.

[raakii]

-{ Quote: "ISR vendors know already for a long time that some users request a mode to stay in shadow after reboot without losing changes.
I guess its technically very difficult to implement that in software." }-

I think it is possible but the vendors are unwilling to do it.Cant vendors improve shadow users or comodo disk shield beta??

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "ISR vendors know already for a long time that some users request a mode to stay in shadow after reboot without losing changes.
I guess its technically very difficult to implement that in software." }-

Storagecraft's ShadowUser Pro has this particular feature to carry through a shadow session over reboots (they call it persistent mode). Even though they still sell ShadowUser, they don't seem to care to update it for Vista. I personally don't think it is an essential feature as I have rarely used it with my XP machine, but I'll have to agree that some people would love to have this possibility.

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Storagecraft's ShadowUser Pro has this particular feature to carry through a shadow session over reboots (they call it persistent mode). Even though they still sell ShadowUser, they don't seem to care to update it for Vista. I personally don't think it is an essential feature as I have rarely used it with my XP machine, but I'll have to agree that some people would love to have this possibility." }-


There will probably be no further updates on this product.

[Ashanta]

-{ Quote: "What Creer was trying to say is yes you can stay in Shadow mode after a reboot, but you system is returned to it's preshadow configurations." }-

Do you mean that my system will returned to my preshadow configurations, next time, I exit the Shadow Mode ?

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "There will probably be no further updates on this product." }-

I think so too, and from a marketing point of view it doesn't make any sense (or maybe it does for them). On the other hand, considering all the many and various attempts in this forum to revive the very successful First Defense ISR (the original version), it seems that marketing and support issues play a much bigger role in the end to keep a software on sale.

Let's face it, the majority of users don't know and don't want to know about these applications, let alone pay for them.

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "Do you mean that my system will returned to my preshadow configurations, next time, I exit the Shadow Mode ?" }-
Shadow Defender gives you 2 options when you enter shadow mode: 1) on the next reboot your OS will reboot normally losing everything that was on the previous shadow session 2) the system will reboot in shadow mode starting a new session. There is no way to reboot a shadow session keeping the previous one in memory.

[raakii]

-{ Quote: "I think so too, and from a marketing point of view it doesn't make any sense (or maybe it does for them). On the other hand, considering all the many and various attempts in this forum to revive the very successful First Defense ISR (the original version), it seems that marketing and support issues play a much bigger role in the end to keep a software on sale.

Let's face it, the majority of users don't know and don't want to know about these applications, let alone pay for them." }-
I am waiting for shadow defender to incorporate these features, or just improve shadow user to enter shadow state without reboot.

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "I am waiting for shadow defender to incorporate these features, or just improve shadow user to enter shadow state without reboot." }-
Well, apparently neither developer is willing or keen to do so. I changed my strategy, I use ShadowProtect to test things, and Shadow Defender to do what ShadowUser seems to be doing well with XP.

[Ashanta]

Thanks Osaban for your explanation ! :D

Anybody has tried the sandboxing function of FirstDefense-ISR Rescue for testing programs ?

[raakii]

-{ Quote: "Well, apparently neither developer is willing or keen to do so. I changed my strategy, I use ShadowProtect to test things, and Shadow Defender to do what ShadowUser seems to be doing well with XP." }-
I also use imaging as an alternative to test programs to require a reboot,though it is not as fast as Light Virtualization,it works clean.

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Thanks Osaban for your explanation ! :D

Anybody has tried the sandboxing function of FirstDefense-ISR Rescue for testing programs ?" }-


It sure would. I user the "classic" FDISR, but in it's earlier versions, I used it just the way rescue works. Worked like a charm.

Pete

[raakii]

-{ Quote: "It sure would. I user the "classic" FDISR, but in it's earlier versions, I used it just the way rescue works. Worked like a charm.

Pete" }-
Is it like "sandboxie"?can u tell me how it works,I have used fd-isr only for restores.

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "Is it like "sandboxie"?can u tell me how it works,I have used fd-isr only for restores." }-

It's completely different from Sanboxie. The program creates an exact clone of the OS on the same Drive/partition, so basically when you start/reboot your computer there's a pre-boot screen giving you the option to boot into 'the other snapshot' called rescue area.

Basically you work with two identical OSs, and what ever happens (good or bad) in one can be restored to its original state with the other. You can test a program in one snapshot, you don't like it, you reboot into the other snapshot and refresh (copy/update) the one with the program.

[Ashanta]

-{ Quote: "It's completely different from Sanboxie. The program creates an exact clone of the OS on the same Drive/partition, so basically when you start/reboot your computer there's a pre-boot screen giving you the option to boot into 'the other snapshot' called rescue area.

Basically you work with two identical OSs, and what ever happens (good or bad) in one can be restored to its original state with the other. You can test a program in one snapshot, you don't like it, you reboot into the other snapshot and refresh (copy/update) the one with the program." }-


Thanks Osaban for all details,

It sounds good to test such programs that needs to reboot to a full installation ;)

I heard also that also that Radix Reload can do it, but I'm not sure, needs to be confirmed.

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "Thanks Osaban for all details,

It sounds good to test such programs that needs to reboot to a full installation ;)

I heard also that also that Radix Reload can do it, but I'm not sure, needs to be confirmed." }-

You are welcome. It is indeed ideal to test programs, crazy configurations, SRP, even malware to a certain extent (I personally never test malware).

My problem with it is that when I backup my system, I have to backup a double system (in my case 40 GB just for the OS no files!) so if I wish to store several images with different stuff hard drive space becomes critical, not to mention the time it takes to backup and restore.

Lately I thought what if I uninstall the program + the extra snapshot before performing a backup (to save space), and reinstall it later. Well this is where I ran into a problem, at least on my computer, the program can be uninstalled but the extra snapshot stubbornly resists any attempt of deletion.

So if you test it, and decide to buy it try to uninstall it first and see what happens.

I'm sorry I don't know anything about Radix Reload.

[pandlouk]

-{ Quote: "I heard also that also that Radix Reload can do it, but I'm not sure, needs to be confirmed." }-
Radix Reload is just another clone of EAZ-FIX.

Panagiotis

[raakii]

-{ Quote: "It's completely different from Sanboxie. The program creates an exact clone of the OS on the same Drive/partition, so basically when you start/reboot your computer there's a pre-boot screen giving you the option to boot into 'the other snapshot' called rescue area.

Basically you work with two identical OSs, and what ever happens (good or bad) in one can be restored to its original state with the other. You can test a program in one snapshot, you don't like it, you reboot into the other snapshot and refresh (copy/update) the one with the program." }-

Ok,You are talking about the general method fd-isr restore, is there anything unique like fd-isr sandboxing function as mentioned earlier.I need to know whats sandboxing have to do with fd-isr ,Is there anything new introduced in Fd-isr rescue thats not there in the classic version.

[Ashanta]

-{ Quote: "You are welcome. It is indeed ideal to test programs, crazy configurations, SRP, even malware to a certain extent (I personally never test malware).

My problem with it is that when I backup my system, I have to backup a double system (in my case 40 GB just for the OS no files!) so if I wish to store several images with different stuff hard drive space becomes critical, not to mention the time it takes to backup and restore.

Lately I thought what if I uninstall the program + the extra snapshot before performing a backup (to save space), and reinstall it later. Well this is where I ran into a problem, at least on my computer, the program can be uninstalled but the extra snapshot stubbornly resists any attempt of deletion.

So if you test it, and decide to buy it try to uninstall it first and see what happens.

I'm sorry I don't know anything about Radix Reload." }-


Osaban, not good chance with FD-ISR !

You confirm what I read, snapshots take very large space on the drive.

Pandlouk, Another clone ? So many Rollback clones, Eaz-Fix, Radix Reload, Ayrecovery. Any others, that I've forgotten ?

[pandlouk]

-{ Quote: "Pandlouk, Another clone ? So many Rollback clones, Eaz-Fix, Radix Reload, Ayrecovery. Any others, that I've forgotten ?" }-
EazFix is the main program developed by EAZ Solutions.
RollbackRx is the main Re-brand clone.
Radix Reload is another Re-brand clone.
There are some others around.

Ayrecovery is a derivate of EAZFIX 6 but not a rebrand of EAZFIX. It uses totally different servers for activation.

Panagiotis

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Ok,You are talking about the general method fd-isr restore, is there anything unique like fd-isr sandboxing function as mentioned earlier.I need to know whats sandboxing have to do with fd-isr ,Is there anything new introduced in Fd-isr rescue thats not there in the classic version." }-


Actually FD-ISR Rescue is a stripped down version of the original.

Pete

[Aaron Here]

-{ Quote: "EazFix is the main program developed by EAZ Solutions.
RollbackRx is the main Re-brand clone.
Radix Reload is another Re-brand clone.
There are some others around.

Ayrecovery is a derivate of EAZFIX 6 but not a rebrand of EAZFIX. It uses totally different servers for activation.

Panagiotis" }-
Actually, before it was EAZ-Fix it was InaQuick Rescue (IQR) by Inasoft (around 2003-4) and a few years later a US Patent was issued to the 3 developers (the principal developer being Andrew Shen).

As mentioned, over the past few years it has been OEM'd under a few different names, but imho only EF & RB are up-to-date and mainained by a support team.

[Ashanta]

Thanks Aaron for all those interesting informations about Eaz-Fix "Family".


For ShadowProtect Dekstop and Drive Snapshot users ( DS, I'm not sure if it is a ISR program), is there a way to test those programs do require a boot system ? ::)

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Thanks Aaron for all those interesting informations about Eaz-Fix "Family".


For ShadowProtect Dekstop and Drive Snapshot users ( DS, I'm not sure if it is a ISR program), is there a way to test those programs do require a boot system ? ::)" }-

Neither are ISR programs. You can image prior to the test, and restore afterwards, but that isn't true ISR.

[andyman35]

-{ Quote: "I think it is possible but the vendors are unwilling to do it.Cant vendors improve shadow users or comodo disk shield beta??" }-
Comodo DiskShield won't be developed further,however they are working on a new product called Time Machine that I believe allows for protected mode across reboots.

[raakii]

I have seen the screenshots on their forum a month back , they seem to be creating a free alternative of eaz-fix.It is yet another clone of eaz-fix, but its free and its under development.For me it has no resemblance to Disk shield , which they produced earlier.

https://forums.comodo.com/feedbackcommentsannouncementsnews_cis/comodo_time_machine_screen_shots-t40383.0.html

i have reuploaded here
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=bb0d7cc696f5eaeae62ea590dc5e5dbbe04e75f6e8ebb871