Working while backing up

Is it fine to be working/using on a computer when its partition is being backed up?
thx

 

Some people seem to do it, but to me that's just tempting fate.

 

A backup is nothing more than a snapshot of adrive at a point in time.
Backup programs use techiques to try to capture the content of open files. Of course, at some point, the backup must move on, so, if you modify a file after a certain point, the changes will not be backed up.

However, a properly implemented backup program should npot prevent you from using any app. The risk is that you may make changes that will not get backup until next time around.

In any case, unless there is an urgent need, it is likely best to not use/add files on a drive whilst the drive is being backed up.

Of course, the OS and installed tasks are running in the baqckground all the time, so only way to get a "clean" backup is from outside of Windows.

 

You will get opinions for and against. The snapshot is taken in the first "millisecond". Anything you do after that doesn't get included in the image. I just continue to use the computer normally while imaging is in progress.

 

To add to Brian's answer, the first paragraph or two of this gives a bit more info :

http://www.acronis.com/oem/resource/tech-talk/2003/disk-imaging-2-technology.html

F.

 

Using Windows at any time is tempting fate ;-) but if you're willing to take that plunge, then working under windows while ATI is backing up is no more risky than using any two other programs at the same time under.

When ATI starts a backup it filters any disk writes to the source disk so that the backup will be an image of the source disk when the backup began. Those subsequent disk writes won't be included in that backup although the dsource disk and associated data, system, and program files on the source disk will be appropriately updated.

I've never had any issue from using windows normally while a backup is running. Of course, win will seem to run slower during the backup because the backup is using resources and the backup, since ATI is sharing resources, will take a little longer.

 

Just to add, that I have been running True Image for almost 5 years with multiple daily backups, from within Windows (2000 and XP) and never had a single problem with the backup process.

F.

 

Hello diehardfan,

Thank you for your interest in Acronis Disk Backup Software.

We are sorry for the delayed response.

Please also see this post for a detailed description of snapshot technology Acronis True Image uses.

Thank you.
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Marat Setdikov