Acronis True Image Home 2009 vs Paragon Home 2009 Backup

[62cwil]

After trying both programs for about a month I am ready to go to one only. However, both clearly have issues and I am not sure which one to depend on. At least Paragon Support will respond generally within a day wherein Acronis may or may not and if they do it will be up to two weeks later. While you can get right on the Chat section and they appear to be helpful I have not found that they are detailed in knowledge. They appear to give a lot of canned answers. Several times I have gotten different answers from different ones on the Chat line.

Any way I would appreciate anyone's input as to why they feel one is better than the other and why so I can make a final decision.

[gud4u]

I recently replaced Acronis TI10 with Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009 suite.

The switch was not due to any dissatisfaction with Acronis TI10, but to gain the rich partition-management features of the Paragon suite - in addition to Paragon's image backup/restore functions.

For image backup/restore, the Paragon suite is just as fast and reliable as Acronis TI10, tested by backup and restore of my OS partition. I've also tested partition-management features by creating a partition and resizing existing partititions.

My only 'disappointment' with the Paragon suite is the defrag function, which works but is slow and inflexible.

My only disappointment with Acronis TI10 was when I attempted to uninstall it, which finally resulted in fresh XP install.

Hope this helps!

[seekforever]

Since you have tried them both you seem to know what the issues are. You are in the best position to determine which issues are important and you also are aware of support issues experienced by some. I could tell you TI2009 works marvellously on my PC but if you use a bunch of features I don't then it is meaningless.

I recommend you go with your tests.

[Aaron Here]

Regardless of the type of program, there is no such thing as the perfect solution for everyone (or for that matter, the perfect software)! I would second seekforever's advice, to go with your own tests (rather than the opinions of others).

Just make sure that when you bootup the program's Recovery CD it sees all of your drives (and the time to test that is before you buy the program)!

[lodore]

Hello,
did you have both installed at the same time?
if so bad idea since they can conflict,
i havent really had any issues with paragon.
i couldnt ever make even one successful image with ATI. that was back with version 9 which was before they added loads of features they arent needed.

if you are willing to use a boot disc which only allows use of the keyboard i strongly reccomend image for windows.
the restore disc boots isntantly and is called image for dos.
image for dos may not look easy to use but it is.

[n8chavez]

I just have to add my two cents here, although it wasn't asked of me. Having used both products in the past, I recommend neither. I use Drive Snapshot, and I love it. As far as the restore software is concerned, DS does not automatically create it. I use DS with ultimate boot disc for Windows. All the features of DS are available in this case.

The only way I would say to use Paragon Home 2009 Backup is if you are using the Pro version and have Windows Vista, because it has the ability for hardware independent restores. Again, this is only on Vista.

Acronis is a no go for me. Drive Snapshot is everything I want.

[InfinityAz]

Go with your gut (it will be right for you).

Having said that, I switched to Paragon due to corruption issues with ATI (and as you noted a lack of decent support).

[C.S.J]

yep, i switched to paragon ages ago and never looked back.

it just works.

[Karen76]

Originally Posted by lodore

did you have both installed at the same time?
if so bad idea since they can conflict

I have ATI v9 and Paragon Hard Disk Manager v8.5 on my XP SP3 PC and ATI Home 2009 and Paragon Drive Backup Professional v8.51 on my Vista SP1 PC with no apparent conflicts. Of course, I don't schedule them to create backup images at the same time.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick Paragon if only because of the far superior technical support.

[jonyjoe81]

If you have windows xp, paragon will be more capable. There is this little problem when backing up and restoring windows xp that sometimes cause's drive letter problems. I see this problem no matter what imaging software is used.

Paragon drive backup recovery cd, has this built-in utility called "boot corrector" that can fix drive letter problems/edit boot.ini etc. Very useful utility, that has saved me many hours of troubleshooting and can actually fixed an unbootable restored drive. To me the "boot corrector" utility is more valuable than the actual backup program itself.

If you use Vista, then it doesn't matter. Both seem to work the same, except true image is quicker than paragon. You just need to try the demo's and choose the one that works best on your hardware.

[RAD]

I switched to Paragon after Acronis would definitely NOT work under Vista, and there was ZERO Acronis support. After that, I got smart and thoroughly tested the free version of paragon Drive backup and even exercised their support system a couple times before purchasing.

Paragon has never let me down through countless system restores on two Vista machines running both drive backup 8.51 and 9.0

Why so many restores ? After I got confidence that Paragon worked, then when trying out new software I began just restoring my system to a pre-install condition if I didn't like it, rather than uninstalling it at worrying about whether it left remnants on my hard drive. It is a little slow, but I just run it and go do something else for 45 min.

[mantra]

does paragon Paragon Adaptive Restore work for xp too
because in the page http://www.paragon-software.com/home...eatures.html#4

i found

# estore Windows Vista to completely different hardware or even to a virtual machine
# Restore with Shrink™ function restores backup images to free sections of smaller partitions by using only the amount of actual data in the image

[62cwil]

After trying to work with Acronis for over a month and sending in numerous tech service request forms and never getting and answer as well as trying to get answers via chat only to find our very few of the chat tech's I talked to I decided to try Paragon 9. I have to tell you their support is superior to Acronis. I have sent ask them about 5 different questions trying to figure out how to etc. All of the responses came back to me the next day and were very clear as to how to handle. Once you have an account with them you can go back and the threads remain so you can review them. My last issue was such that they sent me email and offered to get on with me remotely to figure out what was going on. The tech spent over an hour going over and at the same time was a valuable training session for me. Since that time I have backed up, restored and went thru every function on their program and everything works great. Due to service I am now a Happy Paragon User.

[Noxcho]

May I add my guinea too:
Have downloaded and install ATI2009 and installed it onto my smoothly working XPSP3.
Looked its features through without applying anything. Then decided to remove it and here the problems did occur. First it reported me that some problem occurred during uninstall process and recommended to reinstall ATI Home 2009.
Ok, no problem, but each attempt to reinstall failed with the same error message. I did try it from Control Panel - Add\Remove Programs menu. Same dumb message.
Restarted system - and wow!!! It failed to boot at all! BSOD, restart - BSOD etc. Sent a support message to Acronis Support - no answer. Tried live chat - lamb questions like - what is the size of your drive, what operation did you apply etc. No help at all.
Being totally pissed off by this problem I remembered that there was a test backup image done with Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Trial. Prior to testing ATI I played with DB too and left the image intact on second drive. Thanks to God and Paragon Support I got a Recovery CD ISO image from support techies of Paragon for free and restored my system to the working state in 15 minutes. Immediately purchased a copy of Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Personal Edition.
So I vote for Paragon. Gonna try their Partition Manager 9.0, does anyone have anything to say about their partitioning tools?
Thanks in advance.

[Noxcho]

Originally Posted by mantra

does paragon Paragon Adaptive Restore work for xp too
because in the page http://www.paragon-software.com/home...eatures.html#4

i found

It works with: XP/2003/Vista/2008/Windows 7 in plans. This is the answer I got from their support:

Current build of Drive Backup 9.0 (8667) has the Adaptive restore for both XP and Vista systems enabled. Supported systems are: XP\2003\Vista\2008\and Windows 7 in next coming version of Drive Backup.

[MerleOne]

I purchased some time ago Paragon Drive Backup 8.5 and it was really a disaster. Very buggy, couldn't mount correctly freshly-made images, reported garbage for partition name & size. It was never fixed so I was able to get a refund quite easily and I thank them for that.

I have now switched to Drive Snapshot, and also use the rock solid Image for Windows 2 from TeraByteUnlimited.

I have also trialled O&O DiskImage3, and again I will stay clear from it...

[denniz]

I can confirm the excellent support of Paragon. Rarely software companies offer the level of support that Paragon offers. Combine that with an excellent product and you have a winner.

[mantra]

but i found many updates about the program
it should be buggy
i mean so many update and i read the fixes...

don't know how trusty is it

the defrag is a crap

[renegade08]

Originally Posted by Noxcho

.
So I vote for Paragon. Gonna try their Partition Manager 9.0, does anyone have anything to say about their partitioning tools?

Although i have some of their partitioning tools i have never used them, so i can't comment on that.

I use Easeus Partition Manager . You must try it.

[The Hammer]

I'd go with whomever supports their program best. support is paramount when you know what hits the fan.

[mantra]

Originally Posted by renegade08

Although i have some of their partitioning tools i have never used them, so i can't comment on that.

I use Easeus Partition Manager . You must try it.

can easeus restore an image in a different hardware ( i mean in a different pc?)

[Noxcho]

Originally Posted by mantra

but i found many updates about the program
it should be buggy
i mean so many update and i read the fixes...

don't know how trusty is it

the defrag is a crap

Being a techie I have to deal with PCs of my friends and relatives. Everyone went crazy and started upgrading their PCs\laptops these days and yesterday I moved one more system to new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore (28th moved system with Adaptive Restore). It is not buggy, at least I have not found any yet. Moved XPHome, XP Pro SP3, Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate to different hardware.
Helped moving Windows 2003 SBS to new hardware - no glitch. And this worked where Universal Restore failed!

[Noxcho]

Ok, yesterday I purchased and tried Paragon Partition Manager 9.0 Professional Edition. Decreased the size of system volume and increased the data partition. Worked excellent. This was not enough for my confidence and I have planned several operations in one queue though Paragon support did not recommend me this. I have Drive Backup and no fear to loose the data for me =)
What I did: two HDDs, XP on one and Vista Ultimate on another.
I needed to keep data partition on one HDD and create enough space for Windows 7 beta installation. My queue: Shrink Windows XP partition - Shrink Vista Partition - copy Data partition from HDD where XP is installed to Vista HDD - delete old Data partition - create new partition for Windows 7.
5 operations in one queue - none failed!!!! Am I lucky?
Thanks to Paragon Support, quick and professional answers to all my hesitating questions.

I have looked on Easeus PM. Looks like this product is built of three different products: Partition Magic 8, Paragon Partition Manager 9.0 and Acronis Disk Director. I will stay with those who are helpful when needed - Paragon.

[renegade08]

Originally Posted by mantra

can easeus restore an image in a different hardware ( i mean in a different pc?)

Mantra,

Easeus (Easeus partition manager) is not an imagine software.

It's simple but effective partitioning tool. (They have home version that is free).

http://www.partition-tool.com/

http://www.download.com/Easeus-Parti...-10863346.html

You can increase/decrease your partitions on your hard drive, create new partitions.


You probably got confused with Hard Disk Manager, which is drive backup/imaging and partition tool. That's one suite and there are implemented various products.

Hard Disk Manager
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/hdm-personal/

[Noxcho]

Originally Posted by mantra

can easeus restore an image in a different hardware ( i mean in a different pc?)

Not yet, but expect that soon something like Adaptive Universe Restore could be added to this product