Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

My experience has shown me that the simpler your System configuration is, the better FlashBack performs. On all the systems I've used it on, the most successful were Legacy-MBR systems with NO Microsoft RECOVERY or SYSTEM RESERVED partitions. Also, the antivirus/antimalware systems have been kept to a minimum instead of having (19) different protection mechanisms all running side by side... I don't need this as I have practiced SAFE NET since the inception of computer virii. This, of course, is not under your control when you speak of client/other systems.

Although many users have had really good luck with v1.4.1.48 (beta), its HOT restore has inherent design issues associated with LIVE systems. The WARM restore methods (WinPE-based and the newer Native NT API-based) have proven to be much safer in general. The newest Native NT API mode seems to be the best yet but its release is still in the BETA stages (most recent being Build #698... now known as "FlashBack"). It was supposed to be out at the end of October but other issues with the app (not necessarily the Native Mode restore) have delayed its release.

 

Froggie-

Gotcha... I agree.

I have to think that this method of infection would be fairly uncommon since they would be targeting a small sector of the population so it result in a fairly low payoff.

SteveG

PS - I love your NYC police tagline... And as a New Yorker, it would not surprise me if someone did steal all the toilets!

 

Chamlin-

Thanks for the insight!

I have 12 licenses that I bought (earlier, to support development) that I have never actually used, so I was planning to install a few on various family members PC's over the holidays. These are people who probably have absolutely no backup plan, so I thought anything would be better than nothing.

However, maybe not such a good idea...they do not live nearby and I am not sure I want to risk messing their PC's up when I won't be close enough to fix them!

I guess I will start reading!

Regards,
SteveG

 

Unfortunately, this is a problem.

For experienced users, there are many strategies that work. I have multiple layers that are a pain to manage, but make me feel secure. Generally I use a snapshotting program backed up by cold raw images.

When we started 3 years ago, AX64 was supposed to be for non-power users... a "set and forget" type system that was not as flexible, but limited the requirement for technical expertise.

Based on what you noted above, we are still not there. I cannot imagine putting this on a relatives PC and then trying to walk them through a restore that may not be successful. They won't have a recent Macrium image to revert to.

 

BUT,,,,without any backup program they will be in trouble for sure. Macrium, while not as simple to use as FB, is not very complex and you could set it up for your relative and then if need be walk them through a restore. The restore process is indeed simple, whats a bit more complex is the setting up of the backup def set,,,,which you would do and once you do one the others are a piece of cake.

I am, and have successfully been using AX 64 V1.4.1.48 without a single failure in well over a year. Win 7 Pro, 64 bit, but am also using Macrium Reflect 6 paid as a 'just in case" backup program.

 

Had to uninstall the beta. It was causing the PC to boot very slow and eventually asked which drive I wanted to backup (after already having a backup chain going! This was what caused me to uninstall an earlier beta. Snaps and restores were pretty good and normally fast. I was really hoping this version was going to work. I guess this is all more complicated than most programs.

 

Yes...I guess that is true as long as putting it on does not screw anything else up.

Thanks. I will try it on one of the windows 10 machines and see how it works.

 

It appears their Forums have been belly-up for the past 2-days or more... is the Company still around?

 

<Oooooops!> Wrong thread (now where was that coffee I was looking for)

 

Is it reliable now?

 

Uhhhhhh... they're still workin' on it

 

I haven't heard anything for a few weeks as far a direct interaction goes. I'd say the plow hit a stump.

 

Hey guys,

We intend to release a new build last Thursday. Should expect a build hopefully mid next week.

As many of you know, we're bouncing back and forth with you guys quite frequently behind the scenes.

Thanks for all the patience

 

Hello Waj,
I am looking forward to next build !

Next build is improvement of stability?
or
Are there any new features?

 

This sounds like another beta build...? A new stable release was promised about two months ago IIRC.

 

You guys are very patient.

 

You might think so but ,,,,,,,,,,, not being so would accomplish what? I would very much like to see a fully functioning and reliable app. I, as well as others, have been waiting a long time.

There are 2 options open to us,,,,,,

1: get pissed off and turn our backs on the app and its developers............. would that get us anything? No.

2: wait and hope that eventually we get what we want......... would that get us anything? Maybe.

It costs me nothing to wait and I just might get a very simple to use app that I can use and recommend to my friends that find all current backup apps too complicated to bother with. Ya, I know, if they have that attitude the heck with them,,,,,,except when they have a problem with their PC its me that they turn to to fix it.........really, its to my benefit to be patient (and hope that in the meantime my friends don't have too many problems for me to have to deal with).

 

They promised it? Hummmm, I believe they hoped to release it but they did not PROMISE anything (I think). Of course they could follow the HDS model and release what they claim is a stable release (because you say they PROMISED it) and then deal with folks that are angry rather than disappointed. Maybe you would find that a preferable approach but I do not.

 

Hi BG,

Here's some quotes from mid October, and they sure sound like a promise to me...

It always amazes me how you used to chastize HDS for not keeping promised release dates, but when it comes to AX64 / Flashback you are very forgiving when in fact they show exactly the same pattern. And this is not the first time they promised things they could not fulfill.


Cheers
manolito

 

I guess your right about this, somehow I have more patience here than for HDS, maybe its because I paid for support for 4 years without an upgrade or even an attempted upgrade and when they finally did one it was a disaster.

 

Sort of tried that but they are my friends so what can I do. As I said its costing me very little (nothing actually) to wait so thats what I will continue doing. I am glad to hear that the latest build worked so well for you, given this I am optimistic that a stable release will be coming in the not too distant future.

 

I get extremely frustrated with the pace of FBs progress as well, but there's something about this program I love and can't shake. It's simple and worked very well and was always fast for me prior to Win 10. (I can't say Macrium 6 is always fast but there have been no failures and is solid in that respect.) As has been said the devs for FB are very few in number compared to maybe every other significant backup program. We may be talking about three guys in a basement, who knows. I doubt they have much capital to work with as other do as well. In fact I'm kind of surprised they are still in business. You can't make a living selling a program that basically doesn't work for most.

That said, I think they try hard but are limited in several ways--one being the very nature of the software itself. I've ranted about the slowness and lack of stated goals/deadlines but it is what it is and it's not likely to be other than what it is. I wish them well and I want a working product from them simply because I really am drawn to it.