System Restore disappearing and system restore alternative inquiry

[Dundertaker]

I seem to have some problems with my system restore function in one of my Windows 7 x32 system. I usually find that it gets erased or something. After every use I specifically instruct to:

-clean/check registry via CCleaner
-defrag via Auslogics Disk/defrag or Puran Defrag free(not with PIOZR)
-make a backup via Glary Utilities pro>Restore Center>System Restore

After a few days when I check it's gone....huh...?

The other pc system with the same settings and software are not like that...

My approach to backing up is usually file/folder backup via pen drive/DVD. Image backup via ATI on dedicated/seperate logical drives for each pc I have.

Well here's the question:

a) Will I leave it like that?
I do image backup via ATI Home 11 on that particular pc and it's working okay. Problem is when I encounter an incident I go and use the image instead of system restore only.

b) What can I do check in Windows 7?

c) What are other alternatives apps to Windows system restore?
Have not used any apps for that. Can you give me ideas/tips...freeware possibly...If you guys are using one out there please share your experiences about it (conflicts with any apps,points to consider for better effectiveness..perhaps)

Thank you .

[SourMilk]

Some defraggers will erase system restore points. At least, that's what I've read.

Hope someone who knows for sure will answer this thread.

SourMilk out

[moontan]

i think the best alternative to Windows System Restore is Rollback RX.

i have a paid license which i don't use anymore because it only takes me 3 minutes to restore an Image with Windows 7.

with Rollback, it only takes the time to reboot + about 20 seconds.

it is a pretty good software and i'd recommend you give the demo a try.
btw, you are not supposed to defrag while using programs like Rollback.

another option is Shadow Defender IF you only want to test/install software
that don't need a reboot to complete the install.

[J_L]

Could be the registry cleaner that messed up System Restore. I never trust those things.

[bgoodman4]

Re an alternate see my recent post and thread at http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=295993

I have been using Rx for about 2.5 years and would not dream of having a PC without it. Highly recommended.

[Aaron Here]

Originally Posted by J_L

Could be the registry cleaner that messed up System Restore. I never trust those things.

ditto that.

Originally Posted by bgoodman4

Re an alternate see my recent post and thread at http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=295993

I have been using Rx for about 2.5 years and would not dream of having a PC without it. Highly recommended.

Yup, Rollback Rx is System Restore on steroids!

Aaron

[Dundertaker]

Thanks for the replies here. Well well well I see that it's a landslide in favor of RollbackRX

I have heard/seen that PuranDefrag erases restore points but I have excluded the folder C:\System Volume Information and with CCleaner that mentioned folder is excluded too...that is my dilemma.

Will try Rx as "favorably" suggested

Any other apps aorund that I can consider? Freeware...?

Thanks guys!

[moontan]

Originally Posted by Dundertaker

Any other apps aorund that I can consider? Freeware...?

Thanks guys!

the only freebie i know in this category of software is Comodo Time Machine.
i have not tried it so you"ll have to look around for comments.

[Dundertaker]

I forgot to ask this one.

Does RollbackRx have a conflict with:

-Acronis True Image 11?
-Paragon Backup and Restore free?
-Keriver 1-Click Restore?

Anyone using them with said apps? Maybe tips on how you use them in your machine...

Very interested to hear from your experiences here.

Thank you.

[TheRollbackFrog]

Originally Posted by moontan

the only freebie i know in this category of software is Comodo Time Machine.
i have not tried it so you"ll have to look around for comments.

Long story, short answer... STAY AWAY!

Also, word has it that development has stopped at the v9 level and will not be continued... <whew! Thank God>

[TheRollbackFrog]

Originally Posted by Dundertaker

I forgot to ask this one.

Does RollbackRx have a conflict with:

-Acronis True Image 11?
-Paragon Backup and Restore free?
-Keriver 1-Click Restore?

Anyone using them with said apps? Maybe tips on how you use them in your machine...

Very interested to hear from your experiences here.

Thank you.

I'm not sure it's as much a conflict as it is a product of the technology.

A HOT image (under the current running Windows) via ATI will not produce a complete restoreable Rollback system. It will provide for the latest machine state at the time of backup but will not restore Rollback itself or its snapshot(s) and database. It's fine for recovery of the latest config and will require a Rollback re-installation.

All the other HOT imaging products I've tried produce the same result except "Image For Windows"... and that's only successful due to a Windows REGISTRY tweak.

You need to know how the technology works before you can see what the effect of HOT imaging, HOT defragging and Windows System Restore has on a Rollback-protected system. There's a little to learn here...

[Aaron Here]

Originally Posted by Dundertaker

Does RollbackRx have a conflict with:

-Acronis True Image 11?
-Paragon Backup and Restore free?
-Keriver 1-Click Restore?

Anyone using them with said apps? Maybe tips on how you use them in your machine...

Very interested to hear from your experiences here.

While I certainly agree with everything The Rollback Frog has said, I can tell you that the first two programs on your list can also be used effectively and safely with Rollback Rx from their boot disks by selecting the Raw (Sector By Sector) backup mode. In that way you will capture your entire C-partition with Rollback Rx and all of its snapshots intact!

Note: If you fail to enable the Raw (Sector By Sector) option while doing an offline backup, you will have only captured Rollback Rx's baseline snapshot (not a very good result)!

Aaron

[aladdin]

Those who are experts of Rollback Rx, can you give me your views on the following thread (in the thread itself, please):

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showt...91#post1849491

Many thanks in advance!

Best regards,

KOR!

[Dundertaker]

Hi all;

Thank you for the replies.

@Aaron Here:

Thanks I will remember doing sector-by-sector backup imaging in Acronis.

@TheRollbackFrog:

Have not yet tried Image for Windows but am contemplating that too...will try RollBackRX first.

@moontan:

Heard about CTI but I've read a lot here ending up reformatting their disk..still have to research on this one. Still have to check if it's development has stopped.

@King of Rapture:

Thanks for the reminder.

--

Someone in a different forum mentioned Genie9 app, RedoBackup and DataBackupRx (free on facebook now). Honestly I do not know what they are except that they perform backup(automatically). I seem to miss seeing that they have a rollback option of some sort...

Have you any info about them....

Thanks all

[J_L]

DataBackupRx only backs up files and folders, not your entire system.

[CloneRanger]

@ Dundertaker

Don't know whether you use Returnil, but if you do it "might" be connected with issues i and others had. Not only on XP but also on Vista too

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=270069

If it isn't that ? and i hope you quickly discover what causes your losses, and can post back with your findings soon

[layman]

One of the first things I do when setting up a new machine is turn System Restore off. I rely on imaging and a file backup scheme, instead.

As for losing Restore Points: If System Restore is enabled on Vista, 2003 Server, or Windows 7 volumes having a cluster size of less than 16KB, normal defragmenting may result in the loss of your System Restore points if there is insufficient space allocated for System Restore. Vopt (the defragger I use) has an optional "VSS compatible Defrag" that minimizes the number of files moved and the total size of files moved. Files larger than 64 MB are not moved or defragmented. File packing is kept to a minimum. I use this mode for interim defrags because it is incredibly fast, but (since I have no Restore Points to lose) often do a full defrag just prior to imaging.

[Dundertaker]

@CloneRanger;

I use Returnil but on an XP machine(another) not this one.

@layman;

In my Windows 7 pc, Auslogics Disc Defrag has that option VSS Compatibility...in XP SP3 none.

[bgoodman4]

Originally Posted by Dundertaker

I forgot to ask this one.

Does RollbackRx have a conflict with:

-Acronis True Image 11?
-Paragon Backup and Restore free?
-Keriver 1-Click Restore?

Anyone using them with said apps? Maybe tips on how you use them in your machine...

Very interested to hear from your experiences here.

Thank you.

The only thing you need to be aware of with Rx and 3rd party imaging programs is that if you want to image with Rx installed you should do a full drive image (not just used space), otherwise uninstall Rx before imaging (I do the latter as I do my monthly PC house keeping at the same time). It is also not advisable to defrag your drive with a 3rd party program with Rx installed.

[bgoodman4]

Originally Posted by King of Rapture

Those who are experts of Rollback Rx, can you give me your views on the following thread (in the thread itself, please):

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showt...91#post1849491

Many thanks in advance!

Best regards,

KOR!

You cannot please everyone, this is one of those.

[bgoodman4]

Originally Posted by Dundertaker

Have not yet tried Image for Windows but am contemplating that too...will try RollBackRX first.

Not the same sort of programs at all. IFW is an imaging program just like ATI or Paragon (with some differences of course but they do essentially the same thing). RollBack is a system restore or revert program. It is wise to use both types of programs IMO. The main reason for this is that Rx stores its snapshots on the drive it is protecting so if the drive gets damaged (or stolen) you are plum out of luck. Having an image in a safe place will mitigate this type of situation.

My routine is as follows (sorry for those who have seen me post this a million times before but,,,,)

RollBack Rx resides on my PC and takes a snap every hour. At the end of the day I upload my critical files to an on-line storage service (iDrive). I then delete all of the days snaps except for the first one of the day and the current state snap. I keep the first snap of the day history for 5 days, on the 6th day I delete the oldest so I always have at least 5 Rx snaps to choose from if I want to revert to a snap.

Every weekend I image the drive with a program called Drive Cloner (its a companion program to Rx).

Once a month I uninstall Rx and do my PC housecleaning (defrag etc) and then image using Paragon free. I then reinstall Rx.

Everyone will devise a regime that they feel comfortable with. Some want to keep every Rx snap and others are content with 1 snap a week. I am very comfortable with the above, you may or may not want this level of protection. Bottom line its what lets you sleep comfortably at night thats the right mix for you.

PS: something else about Rx you might find interesting, you can mount any snap-shot as a virtual drive and open old versions of files or copy them to the current state drive. Also, when you do a revert Rx will take a snap of the current state of the drive as it was/is at the time of the reversion so you can recover any files or folders that may have been created after the restore to point. I LOVE these features. The time savings and security provided with these 2 is one of Rxs strong points IMO.