Imaging Linux Partitions

Hello
I've read the posts here, but have found conflicting information, especially with regards to ATI Home 11.
Can this version be used to successfully image and restore Linux partitions (ext3, swap, ext2)? Are there any limitations?
If v11 has problems (as suggested by some) can ATI Home v10 do the trick?

Is it better to do the image from a bootable disk or is it OK to do from within windows?

I have Linux installed on C:\, which is where I also have XP Pro. I have both v10 and v11 of ATI Home.

Thank you!

 

I have used ATI from its original appearance in the U.S. market, to backup/restore Linux partitions. As it has its origins in Linux, I've trusted it completely and it's never failed me (at least until TI11 with which I have the "corrupt archive" issue; I use TI7).

In any case, since you have it, why haven't you read the manual/help? Tried it?

Some argue that it's best to do from boot CD... but "from Windows" should work also.

 

Both TI 10 and 11 should backup and restore Linux ext2, ext3 and swap partitions.

TI 11 will not backup to a Linux partition (you can't save your image to an ext3 partition, for example.). TI 10 will.

TI 11 will usually restore a Linux partition with GRUB installed in the boot sector so that it will still boot if you restore using the Sector-by-Sector restore mode. TI 10 does not off this feature. If using GRUB, a GRUB repair may be needed after a restore. You won't know until you try it.

You can do the back from either Windows or the TI CD. It should work both ways.

 

Hello capatt,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

We are sorry for delayed response.

Currently, the only versions of Acronis True Image that support working with ext partitions on file level are Acronis True Image Echo Enterprise Server and Acronis True Image Echo Server for Linux. Other versions do support backing up and restoring of ext partitions (i.e. will back up only actual data), but do not support backing up to (or restoring from) them, or files/folders type of backups.

Since Windows does not support Linux type filesystems, it's possible that Linux partitions will be invisible when running Windows version of Acronis True Image (disk as a whole can still be imaged). So, it's recommended to use Acronis Bootable Rescue Media for backing up of Linux partitions.

Thank you.
--
Marat Setdikov

 

That's not real clear..... So, will my scenario work as described in the first post?

If I use the bootable CD to backup ext3/swap/ext2 partitions will a restoration using the bootable CD be viable?

I don't want to discover that it doesn't work when I really need it, nor do I want to experiment and irretrievably wipe out my Linux installation.

Thanks

 

It should work fine (as mentioned in posts 2 and 3).

However, without doing a test you'll have no way to know for sure. If you have a spare drive, you could install it, do the restore and make sure it works. This is always the best test for any backup/imaging software.

Are you using GRUB for the the Linux boot manager?

Is GRUB installed to the MBR or the Linux partition's boot sector?

Are you booting Windows from the GRUB boot menu?