COMODO Time Machine 2.2.121064.147 RC Released!

[Dragons Forever]

Hey Everyone.

CTM has gone RC. :)

What's New in 2.2.121064.147?
NEW! Updater function is available. You can keep all snapshots during update. Note: This function just works for RC and later version. BETA users can't use this feature.
NEW! Help file is available. Note: Currently, Help file is not the final version. Please report bugs you met to bug report thread.
NEW! Command line tool is available. You can get more detail informations about command line tool from help file.
FIXED! More than 100 fixes of GUI. GUI will be more stable..
FIXED! Can't work with removable devices.
FIXED! Can't work with plugged-in card reader.
FIXED! Bug of dynamic disk support on Windows 7. Now CTM could be installed to dynamic disk on Windows 7.
FIXED! BSOD during snapshot defragmentation

Which can be downloaded via here (must be registered comodo forum user): http://forums.comodo.com/beta_corner_ctm/comodo_time_machine_22121064147_rc_released-t47962.0.html or please PM myself for a copy. :)

Cheers,
Josh

[Noob]

What's the difference between Windows Shadow Copies vs CTM?

[Dragons Forever]

-{ Quote: "What's the difference between Windows Shadow Copies vs CTM?" }-

I am not too familiar with Windows Shadow Copies, But AFAIK, It only copies/saves files while it wouldn't actually save a system state. CTM is a full system virtualisation software (Think of it like a virtual machine and you can go back in time whenever you want to recover from a virus infection, etc).

CTM is designed to save countless hours scanning with various signature-based anti-malware applications to get rid of a infected PC. Just a simple restore and your back. ;) You can also save any documents, etc while you do a restore so you don't lose that important data just because you got infected! - Keep in mind this is only one scenario why CTM is useful, You can use it to test software, etc.

Cheers,
Josh

[clocks]

Does a program like this eat gigs of hard drive space to utilize effectively?

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Does a program like this eat gigs of hard drive space to utilize effectively?" }-

not really since it doesnt ACTUALLY create a backup of ur system for its snapshots, it works a bit different.

[Dragons Forever]

Oh what the heck I'll just provide the direct download link here... RC is almost a final version and not a beta so go crazy... :)

http://download.comodo.com/ctm/download/setups/client_setup_2.2.121064.147_RC.exe

[Zero3K]

What's the PrivateData folder in the main directory of it for?

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Oh what the heck I'll just provide the direct download link here... RC is almost a final version and not a beta so go crazy... :)

http://download.comodo.com/ctm/download/setups/client_setup_2.2.121064.147_RC.exe" }-

Josh, does this version play with Raid 0?

[TheIgster]

-{ Quote: "Josh, does this version play with Raid 0?" }-

Just tried installing on my system and got this:

[Dragons Forever]

-{ Quote: "Josh, does this version play with Raid 0?" }-

Hi Peter

RAID should work if you only have one Hard Drive though.


-{ Quote: "Just tried installing on my system and got this:" }-

As said above, If you do have one HD, you can ignore the warning and install CTM. Let me know if you have any issues.

Cheers,
Josh

[pidbo]

Hi Dragons Forever
I don't mean to disparage Time Machine as I have not used it but I have some worries having had major problems with other "restore to image" softwares in the past, problems with defragging going on forever, random re-booting constantly, conflicts with virus checking and system problem solving softwares, chhdsk etc which sooner or later results in a system that is mangled and inaccessible with "bluescreens of death" or won't/can't boot etc, the negatives ulimately undermining any (formerly perceived) benefits. In the past this has resulted to me having to do a complete new re-install of Windows suffering huge data loss.
My question is does Comodo Time machine have a stable failsafe mechanism for glitch/conflict type situations?

I know that these days most people will have a complete backup on a drive stored outside the pc (migrateeasy etc) but for a "restore to image" software to be a viable solution it needs to be not only stable but bulletproof.

[coen99]

Does CTM work with Acronis True Image?
Will the snapshots be saved?
Or to put it in other words: what will happen when I make an image after CTM is installed and then restore that image?

With Rollback you cannot restore the image before uninstalling Rollback first.

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Does CTM work with Acronis True Image?
Will the snapshots be saved?
Or to put it in other words: what will happen when I make an image after CTM is installed and then restore that image?

With Rollback you cannot restore the image before uninstalling Rollback first." }-

no it wont backup the snapshots, pretty sure it wuld only backup the current one ur using.

[ratchet]

-{ Quote: "no it wont backup the snapshots, pretty sure it wuld only backup the current one ur using." }-
Not necessarily, as Aaron has pretty much cracked the case!

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=258444

[ratchet]

-{ Quote: "Hi Dragons Forever
I don't mean to disparage Time Machine as I have not used it but I have some worries having had major problems with other "restore to image" softwares in the past, problems with defragging going on forever, random re-booting constantly, conflicts with virus checking and system problem solving softwares, chhdsk etc which sooner or later results in a system that is mangled and inaccessible with "bluescreens of death" or won't/can't boot etc, the negatives ulimately undermining any (formerly perceived) benefits. In the past this has resulted to me having to do a complete new re-install of Windows suffering huge data loss.
My question is does Comodo Time machine have a stable failsafe mechanism for glitch/conflict type situations?

I know that these days most people will have a complete backup on a drive stored outside the pc (migrateeasy etc) but for a "restore to image" software to be a viable solution it needs to be not only stable but bulletproof." }-
I've not used CTM but have been using AyRecovery on an XP, SP3 desktop and on a Vista, SP1 laptop for 11 months now and can say these clones are one the most amazing and useful pieces of software ever developed! MS update or whatever nukes your pc, freezes everything for over an hour. Finally you just force shutdown with the power button. You reboot and tap the Home Key as its powering up and select a snapshot. Two minutes later you're back live as though nothing ever happened. You want to try some kind of new software so you make a snapshot (two seconds or less), install, use it for a while but decide you don't want it. Open the clone, select the snapshot (or any other one) and in two minutes there is no evidence of ever having it. Remove and or defrag snapshots at any time in just minutes. go for it!

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Hi Peter

RAID should work if you only have one Hard Drive though.




As said above, If you do have one HD, you can ignore the warning and install CTM. Let me know if you have any issues.

Cheers,
Josh" }-

Not sure this makes sense. What do you mean by one hard drive. Raid 0 always has more then one drive. Otherwise what would be the point.

[chris2busy]

-{ Quote: "Hi Dragons Forever
I don't mean to disparage Time Machine as I have not used it but I have some worries having had major problems with other "restore to image" softwares in the past, problems with defragging going on forever, random re-booting constantly, conflicts with virus checking and system problem solving softwares, chhdsk etc which sooner or later results in a system that is mangled and inaccessible with "bluescreens of death" or won't/can't boot etc, the negatives ulimately undermining any (formerly perceived) benefits. In the past this has resulted to me having to do a complete new re-install of Windows suffering huge data loss.
My question is does Comodo Time machine have a stable failsafe mechanism for glitch/conflict type situations?

I know that these days most people will have a complete backup on a drive stored outside the pc (migrateeasy etc) but for a "restore to image" software to be a viable solution it needs to be not only stable but bulletproof." }-
Well its not really a solution but if you plan to use a SSD drive the majority of fragmentation and clutter problems are solved as those do not need defragmentation , plus the seek times on ssd drives are amazing ( i am talking about 40+ times less that a normal hdd)

[BlueZannetti]

-{ Quote: "I am not too familiar with Windows Shadow Copies, But AFAIK, It only copies/saves files while it wouldn't actually save a system state. CTM is a full system virtualisation software (Think of it like a virtual machine and you can go back in time whenever you want to recover from a virus infection, etc)." }-Ummm, if I correctly understand how this application works, virtualization is really a rather unfortunate term to use. I say unfortunate since it is critical for anyone using this program to fully understand how the application works before they perform some untoward operation outside the environment and blow the file system away.

Blue

[Searching_ _ _]

-{ Quote: "Ummm, if I correctly understand how this application works, virtualization is really a rather unfortunate term to use. I say unfortunate since it is critical for anyone using this program to fully understand how the application works before they perform some untoward operation outside the environment and blow the file system away.

Blue" }-

Would you explain your understanding?

How might I get in trouble, blowing away the file system?

[Greg S]

-{ Quote: " it is critical for anyone using this program to fully understand how the application works before they perform some untoward operation outside the environment and blow the file system away.

Blue" }-
Yes, and one that comes to mind would be booting to Windows Recovery Console to repair/replace something

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Would you explain your understanding?

How might I get in trouble, blowing away the file system?" }-

I can answer that for you. When you create a snapshot with this technology, it is creating a table of sectors in use. If you then create a new file, the file system passes the file thru the software's driver, and the sectors are stored on the drive where there is room. So all the snapshots that you store, are simply snapshots in time of the sectors on the disk. When you restore a snapshot, you are simply going back to the appropriate sector table.

Bare in mind the windows file system is not aware of all t his. So if something goes wrong, and these sector tables are corrupted, then it's all over.

File recovery would be of no value, as the file system of windows knows nothing of these files.

I'll go a bit further then Blue on one thing. This technology and virtual machines are as different as oil and water. Most good virtual machines can take heaps of abuse without impacting the host. While in fairness there are many users of this technology, who have had great success, there are also many who have had their systems trashed.

I would not count on system restore but have a good imaging plan in place.

Pete

[jmonge]

or just format c::)

[BlueZannetti]

-{ Quote: "I would not count on system restore but have a good imaging plan in place." }-Absolutely!

I should expand a bit. One of my concerns in wading through multiple threads related to this technology is that many users implement it without really understanding what they are dealing with. That sets the stage for potential problems down the road. Even some of the descriptions used in this thread betray a fundamental lack of appreciation of what's going on under the hood. Peter captured the essentials well.

As with any approach, there are tradeoffs. Here, you're getting speed in being able to jump between file system states and, ultimately, losing flexibility if the need arises in which you have to work outside the application environment. Depending upon how one uses their system, that loss of flexibility could morph into an inexorable instability. For myself, it's a poor tradeoff, so I don't use the approach.

However, either using or avoiding this type of solution are both completely valid results. You do need to be able to rationally get to one or the other based on understanding the situation, the key details that are critical to your systems, and how it all meshes together. One issue with this type of technology is that the key technical details tend not to be transparently discussed by any of the current vendors/providers.

Anyone who uses this approach and understands it's constraints should be fine.

Blue

[dcrowe0050]

I tested the last version a little and really liked it a lot. Only problem I had was when I uninstalled it crashed Windows, but no big problem, all I had to do was restore the MBR from a backup and it was fine. But great job to Comodo as I really like the program.

[TheIgster]

-{ Quote: "As said above, If you do have one HD, you can ignore the warning and install CTM. Let me know if you have any issues.

Cheers,
Josh" }-

Um, isn't the warning in there for a reason.

I feel a little uneasy about installing this if it might cause problems. Your "let me know if you have any issues" doesn't reassure me much either. :-\

[Motherroad]

Is this program the same as Horizons First Defense? Thanks.

[BlueZannetti]

-{ Quote: "Is this program the same as Horizons First Defense? Thanks." }-No. FirstDefense Rescue is a scaled down branch of First Defense ISR (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=84) from Leapfrog software. They no longer market this product, although Leapfrog has indicated another partner will be picking things up in some fashion (at this point is not stated whether a scaled down "Rescue"-type variant is the target or if the "full" version will be available). See here (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1558524&postcount=1).

Comodo Time machine appears to be a customized branch of Rollback Rx/AyRecovery/EAZ-Fix (and there may be others). Details on each available via Google.

From an operational point of view, my personal assessment is that the implementation strategy employed in First Defense is a lot more stable. The cost of that stability is slower operation. Depending on needs and usage style, that difference may render one more suitable than the other for a particular user.

Blue

[Motherroad]

OK. Thanks for the quick reply. I have First Defense now,but not the original. Have been happy so far.

[Julian]

My experiences on raid 0:
With a Nforce chipset it works great, but not with an AMD. CMT installs correctly but Windows crashes at booting when it loads the CMT driver.

So, make a backup and just try it if it works for you.

[tgell]

My son has a Compaq laptop with a hidden restore partition that is able to be accessed at bootup by pressing a function button. Would the installation of Time Machine have an adverse affect on the use of this restore partition if needed, especially if somehow Time Machine hosed the system?

Thanks

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "My experiences on raid 0:
With a Nforce chipset it works great, but not with an AMD. CMT installs correctly but Windows crashes at booting when it loads the CMT driver.

So, make a backup and just try it if it works for you." }-

ive got AMD...

[Julian]

-{ Quote: "ive got AMD..." }-
Just to let no misunderstandings occur: It works on a Nforce for AMD but not an AMD chipset like the AMD 780 etc.

[Fuzzfas]

-{ Quote: "Just to let no misunderstandings occur: It works on a Nforce for AMD but not an AMD chipset like the AMD 780 etc." }-

Really? Hmm... The 780 motherboards either with SB700,710, or 750 southbridge are known to have unstable AHCI support. Maybe you use AHCI? If yes, you could try setting the HD to IDE in BIOS.

[TheIgster]

Well, others having issues and no response to my questioning of -{ Quote: "Let me know if you have any issues." }-

Think I will pass on CTM.

[Noob]

What are the risks of using Comodo Time Machine?
BTW, i'm not using any raid or partition on my pc ;D
Want to try it, but reading all this "it can crash your pc" etc. Makes me think it can destroy my system xD

[Kees1958]

-{ Quote: "What are the risks of using Comodo Time Machine?
BTW, i'm not using any raid or partition on my pc ;D
Want to try it, but reading all this "it can crash your pc" etc. Makes me think it can destroy my system xD" }-

When you know how to put your data in a seperate partition, re-locate al the temp files to an other partition, and how to exclude these in CTM, this is a nice program when it is stable (out of beta). When this sounds unfamiliar to you, go for an alternative solution.

[demoneye]

HI

i switch from RB ver 8/9(2 years using it) to CTM beta 1 (when it was beta) and now i installed CTM RC for some days and i must admit it faster than any RB /EF in taking snap shot and 100% stable for me, also my working ground is faster than before.
all credits goes to comodo for making such a great application which is TOTALLY FREE:thumb: :thumb:

[ViVek]

nice app comodo!!!!!

[jmonge]

is comodo time machine included in the security suite?thanks

[Sportscubs1272]

Wouldn't you turn off Windows System restore while using this program? I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium on my laptop.

[ratchet]

-{ Quote: "Wouldn't you turn off Windows System restore while using this program? I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium on my laptop." }-
The three clones turn if off by default. Would assume CTM would also!

[andyman35]

-{ Quote: "is comodo time machine included in the security suite?thanks" }-
The plan is to include it as an option in the version 4 installer.

[jmonge]

that will be nice to have a whole package in 1 installer;)

[apathy]

This application is getting better. I'd still love to see some form of imaging within CTM like Eaz-Fix. Being able to update the application and keep the snapshots in the new RC is definitely a benefit.

[brihy1]

-{ Quote: "The three clones turn if off by default. Would assume CTM would also!" }-

no time machine doesnt turn off by default,at least not on my xp

[hamzah95]

Guys should I start using this software now or wait for the Official complete release?
I mean are there problems which might damage my PC?

[andyman35]

-{ Quote: "Guys should I start using this software now or wait for the Official complete release?
I mean are there problems which might damage my PC?" }-
The thing is there could be issues that'll damage your system so you need to realise that deploying it now is something of a gamble.If doing so make sure you have a good backup image first in case of problems.

[ViVek]

im usin RC with no problems

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Guys should I start using this software now or wait for the Official complete release?
I mean are there problems which might damage my PC?" }-

Not sure the RC Vs official release is the issue. You should search on Rollback and EAZ/Fix and read those threads to better understand this software. It doesn't play well for some users and you need to understand how it works.

Pete

[hamzah95]

Thanks guys, I'll probably stay away from it for now, but as soon as it comes out fully, it WILL be a part of my system.8)

[DOSawaits]

Anyone willing to test out what the results are when your operating system BSOD's for some reason ? ;D

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Anyone willing to test out what the results are when your operating system BSOD's for some reason ? ;D" }-

There is a provision in windows to force a BSOD if you really desire to test this. Google for it.

Pete

[treehouse]

i have found a security flaw in CTM. do this, install CTM then make an image, then run combofix, reboot, then run scan with hitman pro, it will find combofix, but if you roll back to the base image then run a scan with hitman pro...it will still find combofix!!!!

if combofix can survive a rollback then so can malware!!>:( !! shame, i really liked this software too.

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "i have found a security flaw in CTM. do this, install CTM then make an image, then run combofix, reboot, then run scan with hitman pro, it will find combofix, but if you roll back to the base image then run a scan with hitman pro...it will still find combofix!!!!

if combofix can survive a rollback then so can malware!!>:( !! shame, i really liked this software too." }-

i think its a bug with Hitman Pro cuz im having the same issue (and thats without rolling back or anything, just on the same snapshot) its detecting files that ive already deleted off my system, but Hitman didnt detect these files before i deleted thme, it says the already deleted files are "suspicious" and hiding themselves...

[treehouse]

i dont think you understood the point i was trying to make, does any one know wat am trying to say, i have been viewing wilders forums for years but i have never posted, what i have discovered is such a big security risk that it would be dangerous to use CTM as a backup program, (p.s, i used ubcd4win to explore my computer AFTER rolling back with CTM, guess what, i could see combofix on my desktop!!!)

[jmonge]

so it did not rollback the system properly that is no good;D

[noblelord]

I keep getting annoying pop-ups telling me I am low on disk space - I have 26 gig free. Is this a bug or have I configured it incorrectly?

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "I keep getting annoying pop-ups telling me I am low on disk space - I have 26 gig free. Is this a bug or have I configured it incorrectly?" }-

i got the exact same thing as u and the popup doesnt stop no matter what u do, u close and it continues to keep popping up... i uninmstall CTM and wont be installing it untill its AT LEAST released as final.

[JamesFrance]

-{ Quote: "I keep getting annoying pop-ups telling me I am low on disk space - I have 26 gig free. Is this a bug or have I configured it incorrectly?" }-

Have you tried compacting the snapshots?

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Have you tried compacting the snapshots?" }-

i tried that and it accomplished nothing, still was getting the annoying constant popups...

[JamesFrance]

I think you need a lot more free space than the suggested 10 Gb, My laptop had this problem with 12.5 so I had to uninstall too. I deleted the D: partition to give me about 40 Gb free on C: and it seems to be OK now.

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "I think you need a lot more free space than the suggested 10 Gb, My laptop had this problem with 12.5 so I had to uninstall too. I deleted the D: partition to give me about 40 Gb free on C: and it seems to be OK now." }-

well i tried to delete about 20gb of data with CTM installed while i was getting this popup, but CTM wuldnt let me keep any of these deletions of a reboot, so first it says i dont have enuff space, but then when i try to make space, it reverts all the deletions on reboot, removing CTM removed this problem and i was able to delete files again.

[noblelord]

CTM totally killed my laptop.

I tried to un-install and nothing happened. Then restarted and had a Comodo boot screen which said it was loading files and eventually crashed. Now I cannot get into Windows at all (even via safe mode) and none of the recovery options work.

I also notice it seemed to disable Windows own system restore feature - this would have been handy to have enabled as it would have meant I could have removed CTM easily!

Good job I have a backup and my Win 7 installation disc.

[demoneye]

-{ Quote: "CTM totally killed my laptop.

I tried to un-install and nothing happened. Then restarted and had a Comodo boot screen which said it was loading files and eventually crashed. Now I cannot get into Windows at all (even via safe mode) and none of the recovery options work.

I also notice it seemed to disable Windows own system restore feature - this would have been handy to have enabled as it would have meant I could have removed CTM easily!

Good job I have a backup and my Win 7 installation disc." }-

yo man , it is wise to make a full image backup before installing such a BETA software .

now u will learn for the next time ;D

[jmonge]

that was not a nice experience noblelord???

[Heco]

-{ Quote: "i think its a bug with Hitman Pro cuz im having the same issue (and thats without rolling back or anything, just on the same snapshot) its detecting files that ive already deleted off my system, but Hitman didnt detect these files before i deleted thme, it says the already deleted files are "suspicious" and hiding themselves..." }-

Hi firzen771 :-),

You would encounter the same issue with Rollback RX and the like...
I removed GData AV and then took a snapshot with RBRX. Hitman Pro used afterwards, found deleted GData files in system32\drivers that were no more present in my new snapshot and considered them as "suspicious"!
I assume that AV or other softwares that hook up the system deep are not deleted in the snaphot image created by CTM or RBRX and that Hitman Pro scans the REAL system not the snapshot... Maybe i'm wrong but it's an hypothesis...

Regards,
Herve

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "
I assume that AV or other softwares that hook up the system deep are not deleted in the snaphot image created by CTM or RBRX and that Hitman Pro scans the REAL system not the snapshot... Maybe i'm wrong but it's an hypothesis...

Regards,
Herve" }-

Herve

Understand that when you take a snapshot there is no "image" taken. Just a table of sectors. Most AV's or scanners would probably only see the active snapshot, as Windows doesn't know about the other ones. They are just random sectors on the drive, defined only by the sector table taken by CTM/RBx/EAZfix

Pete

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Hi firzen771 :-),

You would encounter the same issue with Rollback RX and the like...
I removed GData AV and then took a snapshot with RBRX. Hitman Pro used afterwards, found deleted GData files in system32\drivers that were no more present in my new snapshot and considered them as "suspicious"!
I assume that AV or other softwares that hook up the system deep are not deleted in the snaphot image created by CTM or RBRX and that Hitman Pro scans the REAL system not the snapshot... Maybe i'm wrong but it's an hypothesis...

Regards,
Herve" }-

well i didnt have the issue with Rollback Rx, but i used the previous version of Hitman Pro when i was using Rollback Rx, so something changed in Hitman Pro that causes it, so thats why i think its a Hitman Pro bug of some sort, but ive already removed CTM for now.

[Heco]

-{ Quote: "Herve

Understand that when you take a snapshot there is no "image" taken. Just a table of sectors. Most AV's or scanners would probably only see the active snapshot, as Windows doesn't know about the other ones. They are just random sectors on the drive, defined only by the sector table taken by CTM/RBx/EAZfix

Pete" }-

Hello Pete, my GOUROU! LOL,

You are right ... not an image but just a random table of sectors! My bad!
So maybe Hitman Pro can't see these random sectors;-) Again just an assumption.
What is strange is that 2 months ago i removed an imaging software, took a snapshot.... and alas i couldn't rollback to any of my previous snapshots together with the impossibility of booting cause a driver of the incriminated sofware was missing. I had to update my baseline to boot up!

Cheers Pete,
Herve

EDIT:
firzen771: Don't you think this issue could be reported in the Hitman Pro thread? Of course if you think that HMPro is the culprit...

[firzen771]

i did report it in the HMP thread but with no reply... but i cant really help out with that particular bug anymore since ive uninstalled CTM...

[Heco]

... to replace CTM with what? I hope you don't mind me asking... sorry firzen771.
Cheers,
Herve8)... a crackpot but...unlike other crackpots, conscious of being one LOL

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "... to replace CTM with what? I hope you don't mind me asking... sorry firzen771.
Cheers,
Herve8)... a crackpot but...unlike other crackpots, conscious of being one LOL" }-

i havent REPLACED it with anything, i just uninstalled it and am waiting till maybe its out of beta. kept getting low space warning from it over and over and over every 2 minutes so i just uninstalled it.