Any danger in trying different disk imaging programs?

I've seen several threads encouraging readers to download trial versions of imaging software to allow us to compare them. I've had a terrible time with Acronis, and part of it has been that it's been VERY difficult to upgrade from one version to the next b/c vestiges of the old version hide in obscure places. I've spent hours deleting registry values, etc.

Thus, my question: if I go downloading some of the ones discussed in this forum, is there much of a chance I'll have significant problems uninstalling them, or having conflicts among old and new?

Phil

 

The best way to test imaging software is to make an image of your system WITHOUT imaging software installed and use it to restore your system to a clean state.
Obviously, having an image without imaging software installed means that you must do the imaging from the recovery CD (BartPE, WinPE, Linux, DOS, etc)

 

Thanks, Lucas. I guess all of them allow a trial user to make a recovery CD for the purpose you suggest...

 

Don't forget the ATI driver in 32[driversmap]snapman.exe to remove first !Thereafter its save to unstall others.

 

OK. I hope that's all!

 

The only imaging program that has ever given me problems uninstalling was Acronis. Drive Snapshot Paragon & one or two others all uninstalled very easily.

 

Drive Snapshot doesn't even need to be installed, so is very easy to get rid of .

Graham

 

Phil, check out BootIt Next Generation (BootIt NG, or BING) at http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

It boots and runs independently from whatever OS you're running. And, it's much more than just an imaging program.

I've used BING for over 2 years with no problem whatsoever.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Rob

 

Just a few thoughts from a guy who owns Acronis TI, Drive Snapshot and Paragon Hard Disk Mgr. I happen to prefer Drive Snapshot because it produces the smallest and fastest image of the 3 when backing up my Rollback Rx sysem partition.

With that said, both Acronis and Paragon provide an easy-to-use rescue boot CD, something that neither DS or IFW do. In order to backup/restore with DS or IFW from outside of your normal Windows environment you either have to use their less-than-easy DOS progams or use a separate 'PE' boot disk.

Don't be put off... When used (and removed) properly, they all do the job (with no danger)!

 

Agree. I am no expert and at first BootIt NG scared me a bit. But I read about it and learned from tutorial videos. It was not hard to learn. Very reliable also as a partition tool. I admit it is not very userfriendly but I would not change it for other imaging/partition tool. Have it on CD or installed in own small partition or both. The best software I ever bought.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/support-bootit-next-generation.htm

 

Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

I downloaded the trial version of Hard Disk Manager Suite, 8.5. I get an error message when I try to do an image from w/in Windows. It allowed me to do it from the rescue disk, but the rescue disk would NOT allow me to do anything else, e.g., RECOVER the files I imaged, repartition, etc. When I try, I first get the "you have the trial version, buy now/later" screen, and then an error message (Drive not ready).

Question: Is it possible the trial version wouldn't allow me to do these other functions, or could it be something is "up" with my machine--it's a bit like the problems that I've had with Acronis--3 mos. later they still can't make it work.

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

It should be fully-functional from within Windows for 30-days. Naturally, the recovery CD's functionality will be limited on the trial version. What problems did you have with ATI?

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

Weird You get a recovery Cd from them and it didn't work [restrictions ?],IMO ditch it asap and and get some reliable stuf from StorageCraft or the Ghost thingy.

 

Appster, With ATI, whenever I try to backup, the program freezes. I've worked with them for literally 2+ mos, and they've finally sent it to their developers. I decided to try another program, and so when it ALSO tells me I can't backup (w/in windows), it makes me suspicious that there is a conflict with my machine...

 

First of all, when you say ATI, are you referring to ATI 11? Is it a demo or full version (and which build)? I'm also curious as to the makeup of your PC. Can you describe the hardware including the OS?

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

Not at all. If they were to provide a fully functional recovery CD with a trial/demo version, they would be 'giving away the store'. I very much doubt that StorageCraft and Symantec do otherwise!

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

Storage Craft Shadow Protect certainly has provision for making the full recovery environment disk .

All you need do is to request the full evaluation (exactly the same features as the paid version) here- download and burn the ISO image.

Full,helpful Support and 30 days trial.

This is the imager of my choice by a big margin and Ive tried most,because of its combination of useful features,simplicity,speed and utter reliability.

Any one trying out owes it to themselves to trial this one,even if it costs a few bucks more-so what!

edit;the evaluation version has full functionality except for the hardware restore feature,which is used to transfer images to a new computer.This is the only app Ive tried which succeeds in getting new hardware working with an image from a different computer.Alone worth its weight in gold!

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

weight in gold,you said that ? every character is true !!

 

Same here.

I'm using BING now for almost 3 years. I have done lots, lots of imageing, partitioning, resizing etc. etc. Bing NEVER failed, not once !!!!!!! It is the king of reliability. Price is a bargain. The best software investment I have made till now.

They also have a very good user forum with knowledgeable users.

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

did u check/try ATI workstation with universal restore? its claim it can restore image to defent hardware pc`s also

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

Interesting!

True Image Echo Workstation with Universal Restore is designed for large enterprises,but looks like it would do the job.

Cost seems to be around $110-00 for both-reasonable,unless thats the annual charge,which it doesnt seem to be.

Have you tried it?

Ordinary TI definitely wont do HIR.

 

Re: Paragon: HD Manager, Trial Version Limits?

Yea,and some of the features seem similar to SP.

Compare

 

Regardless of whether you use HIR or UR when restoring an image from System A to System B, you better have all System B drivers on readily accessible media (e.g., CD) at the time of the restore!