FD-Rescue: New User Questions

[Birdman]

Hi. I just purchased FD-Rescue (Win 7 x64) after being a longtime FD-ISR "classic" user on my XP machine. Before I install Rescue I have a few questions that I'm hoping I can get answered.

1) Is it recommended to turn off Win 7 "System Restore" and delete any existing 'restore points?'

2) FD-Rescue allows you to create 1 "backup" snapshot. Can you boot back-and-forth between this snapshot and the primary snapshot (like you could in the the classic version of FD-ISR)?

3) Can you boot to the "backup" snapshot from the pre-boot menu?

4) Using Puran Defrag.....is it recommended that I EXCLUDE a particular FD-Rescue directory or file (as was the case with FD-ISR and 3rd part defrag software)?

5) Can you EXPORT the "back-up" snapshot to an external hard drive and import it back if needed?

6) Is it recommended to run a Disk Check, Defrag and other normal system maintenance BEFORE installing FD-Rescue?

7) Do the DEFAULT settings in FD-Rescue work best or should something be tweaked for optimal performance?

Sorry for so many questions....and thanks.

[Leapfrog Software]

First, thank you very much for your purchase!

1) Is it recommended to turn off Win 7 "System Restore" and delete any existing 'restore points?'
A: This is personal preference, but I can tell you what I have done. SR is simple and self-serving to the OS. Depending on the issue, it can work fine, and at other times not. I installed a new video driver that BSOD the system on boot. I used SR and it did get rid of the BSOD and the system booted, but the control panel to change settings for the driver was not reverted. Old driver, new control panel. Trying to uninstall the video driver did not work, so I had to manually uninstall by picking through the OS and registry. This is never a joy.
I turn off SR and use FirstDefense-Rescue as my "first line of defense", and boot my cloned system.

2) FD-Rescue allows you to create 1 "backup" snapshot. Can you boot back-and-forth between this snapshot and the primary snapshot (like you could in the the classic version of FD-ISR)?
A: Yes

3) Can you boot to the "backup" snapshot from the pre-boot menu?
A: Yes

4) Using Puran Defrag.....is it recommended that I EXCLUDE a particular FD-Rescue directory or file (as was the case with FD-ISR and 3rd part defrag software)?
A: Not needed any more. We have integrated in several self-healing routines now.

5) Can you EXPORT the "back-up" snapshot to an external hard drive and import it back if needed?
A: Not in the current product.

6) Is it recommended to run a Disk Check, Defrag and other normal system maintenance BEFORE installing FD-Rescue?
A: Not needed; but I do run a defrag program, like PerfectDisk in SteathPatrol mode, for optimum performance.

7) Do the DEFAULT settings in FD-Rescue work best or should something be tweaked for optimal performance?
A: I use the default settings.

[Birdman]

Todd, as always, top-notch support man!

Thanks for answering all of my questions. I really hope that in the future you will consider adding option #5.

I can't wait to try this bad boy out ater this evening.

[dueceswild]

A couple more questions. Let's say that I could install this software, make a snapshot, and then boot to it for the purpose of trying out a new program. I have to install/uninstall quite a bit, only to find the software isn't working for me. Do I just reboot to the primary snapshot, then "update", which brings the backup to where it was when I started?

And if I like the software, I could update from within this backup snapshot which would change the primary?

Lastly, does the software do any changing to the MBR?

I think I understand, but I want to make sure before I buy.

Thanks.

[pandlouk]

Originally Posted by dueceswild

A couple more questions. Let's say that I could install this software, make a snapshot, and then boot to it for the purpose of trying out a new program. I have to install/uninstall quite a bit, only to find the software isn't working for me. Do I just reboot to the primary snapshot, then "update", which brings the backup to where it was when I started?

Yes.

Originally Posted by dueceswild

And if I like the software, I could update from within this backup snapshot which would change the primary?

Yes.

Originally Posted by dueceswild

Lastly, does the software do any changing to the MBR?

It does not modify the MBR, only the partition boot sector.

Panagiotis

[dueceswild]

Thank you for the reply pandlouk. I have already installed the Lite version, and like it really well. I think this one's a keeper, although I made a promise to myself to try it the entire 7 days before purchasing.