New Drive Snapshot build released.

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by Aaron Here, Dec 10, 2010.

  1. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    Yw. As paid image-backup programs go, imho DS and IFW are two of the best. Both provide fully-functional 30-day (free) trials so I suggest downloading each one and trying them out. That's the only way to determine which one best suits you!

    Scott
     
  2. The Shadow

    The Shadow Registered Member

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    Yes, I've already done that and will now try backing up and restoring with each one (now that I'm aware of some of the differences which you pointed out). Since both DS and IFW have knowlegeable users here on Wilders it's good to know that support is close-by!

    Thanks again.
     
  3. pot2pan

    pot2pan Registered Member

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    Thanks for the head-up napoleon.
    As usual the new release of DS is immediately widely distributed over the least reputable areas of the web. Just google it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2012
  4. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    So are most other backup programs (if pirated apps are your thing)! - so what's your point?
     
  5. pot2pan

    pot2pan Registered Member

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    These pirated versions of DS are on the internet BEFORE we hear of them here, sometimes almost at the very time of release. I stumbled on this by chance several releases ago while doing a search on Google for DS just after a new release had been announced here. I kept doing it after each announcement.
    I had no idea that the same occurred with most other backup programs, as you say, and frankly I doubt it. A lot of software is pirated, but it does not happen as automatically or as fast after each release.

    Drive Snapshot is my preferred imaging software, but this combined with the very special opacity of Tom's releases (no announcement, no version number on his site, no changelog) produces unease about it in my mind. If he does not agree about his software being pirated, Tom should start doing something about it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2012
  6. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    While it's true that DS' developer (Tom) does not provide change-logs for minor releases, I presume that's because he spends all of his time programming and providing support for DS (I believe it's just a 2-man outfit).

    No reason to feel uneasy about DS. I (and others on Wilders) have been using it for a long time. DS is trusted by quite a few companies to backup their servers (including the company I work for)!

    I think it's a sad state of affairs that illegal copies of DS and other software are made available on warez sites. It's a criminal activity and those sites should be closed-down. Furthermore, downloading and using illegal software is tantamount to stealing! Unfortunately there's little that software developers can do about hackers, other than 'hardening' their registration methods.

    Scott
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2012
  7. pot2pan

    pot2pan Registered Member

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    Thanks for the reassurance, Scott. I believe however that some manufacturers are currently successful in preventing piracy, and yes, hardening the registration is one of the aspects. It's mostly a matter of really deciding to do it, but if as you say DS is produced by a 2-person team, they may not have the time.
     
  8. The Shadow

    The Shadow Registered Member

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    Scott,

    I just made my first backup with DS and I noticed that DS broke-up the backup into several .sna files, each around 1500 MB for some reason? I would rather have it create just one backup image file - how can I do that?
     
  9. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    At the bottom-center of the screen where you specify the location and name of your destination file you will see an Advanced Options button, click on that to get the Advanced Options screen. Notice on the right-side there is a box entitled something like 'Max Image Single File Size' with a default value of around 1500. Change the value in that box to 0 (zero) and then click on the bottom button entitled something like 'Use These Settings As The Default'. That will get it done. ;)
     
  10. The Shadow

    The Shadow Registered Member

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    Thanks Scott, that did it - I now get a single .sna file. :)
     
  11. Blues7

    Blues7 Registered Member

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    I've just now ordered a license for this great software.

    DS has certainly come in handy when a clean image needed to be installed. (Twice now, for me.)

    Considering the reliability and peace of mind it provides, I just couldn't countenance not ponying up the fee that Tom and his company have earned by way of this app.
     
  12. The Shadow

    The Shadow Registered Member

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    Well I've only been using the DS trial for a couple of days and I already see that it's a very cool little app. I like that I didn't even have to install it. If all continues to go well over a week (or so) of testing, I will definitely buy it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2012
  13. napoleon1815

    napoleon1815 Registered Member

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    I love DS and keep coming back to it. It's now my secondary imager only to IFL. Awesome tool!
     
  14. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

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    I couldn't agree more with everything that's been said here. Drive Snapshot is a great application. It's small, portable, very efficient, and very powerful. Any time you have the opportunity to email the developer directly, and have him respond, you know you've got a good, supported application.

    napoleon1815 - I second you comment in regards to IFL. The two together make a great combo, just stick tbiview.exe on a flash.
     
  15. GreenWhite

    GreenWhite Registered Member

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    Okay, pls enlighten me regarding this.

    I have a 500GB drive with a couple of partitions.

    I made a back up for win7 system partition 30GB using the name T233-HD1:1.SNA

    I then made another backup (for the 10gb partition-"toshiba backup partition I think") with the name T233-HD1:5.SNA

    The processes were sucessfully completed.


    Problem now is, I can't find the backup .SNA files, except an unknown file T233-HD1 with 0 byte.

    But if I manually type in T233-HD1:1, or T233-HD1:5, DS shows it as valid, and all the details filled in the "image file properties"

    My question is,

    1) why explorer or DS cannot see the files unless I type in manually ?

    2) why is the system required size in "image file properties" shows the whole partition size like 245GB required, instead of the 30GB used ?

    3) why is the T233-HD1:5 shows as unknown filesystem which in fact is on NTFS format

    4) can I use this as a reliable backup image ?

    5) why can't I back up the 1.5GB unknown partition ?


    Can someone pls explain ?

    Thanks.
     
  16. rrrh1

    rrrh1 Registered Member

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    The following characters are invalid as file or folder names on Windows using NTFS:

    / ? < > \ : * | ” and any character you can type with the Ctrl key.

    Could have something to do with using a ":" in the filename, that is an invalid character in windows explorer.

    rrrh1
     
  17. GreenWhite

    GreenWhite Registered Member

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    Thanks for the response.

    Ah... I see !! But in my case, can I still use the image since I can load it by manually by keying in the filename.SNA ?

    Or would it be better to make a new backup ?

    Instead of encryption, I could have unknowingly secured my backups by using ":" character because explorer can't read them ?

    Any complications in the future ?
     
  18. rrrh1

    rrrh1 Registered Member

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    I would recommend starting over.

    I don't know how you are using DS but the GUI can be used

    Select Backup Disk to File.
    Holding down the control key highlight the partitions.
    Next...
    Select the destination drive and directory.
    Be sure to select a different drive other than the one being backed up.

    Give the destination file name the prefix $DISK

    $DISK ($DISK instructs DS that you are doing
    a multiple partition backup)!

    DS will automatically create
    images of Disk assigning the appropriate drive letters.

    You may need a 32bit recovery disk to boot and run DS from the command line to do a restore. DS will not run from a 64bit recovery disk.

    If you need more info we should do it elsewhere since this thread is for new releases.

    Search Drive Snapshot there is a lot of info here at Wilders.

    rrrh1 (arch1)
     
  19. GreenWhite

    GreenWhite Registered Member

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    Okay.

    Can you give an example about multiple selection with &DISK ?

    Assuming I have selected a few source partitions, then is it right to point it to the destination partition and just name it $DISKT233-HD1 for example, and it will do its stuff ?

    And then how to restore, just point the file and that's it ?
     
  20. GreenWhite

    GreenWhite Registered Member

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    Sorry for using this thread for questions.

    Will DS restore to unallocated drive, or do I have to create partitions first ?

    In all my life using PC, I have never experienced HD failure before. My desktop OS is 8 years old, never reinstalled. I just use FD-ISR for backup.

    I have another one with linux on. Years of service, no problem.

    My Toshiba laptop is a year old with Win7 HP with FD-Rescue

    That's why my lack of mileage on this topic.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2012
  21. rrrh1

    rrrh1 Registered Member

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    $DISK T233-HD1

    Will create a snapshot file for each partition in the selection.
    You can restore each partition manually.

    You should not try to backup with an instant restore program running from within windows.
    Some special procedures are necessary to preserve the snapshots.

    It can restore to an empty drive.

    See:

    http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/backup.htm
    http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/rest.htm

    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=297318
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=307855
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=308640

    rrrh1 (arch1)
     
  22. GreenWhite

    GreenWhite Registered Member

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    You have been very helpful. Thanks for the time and effort. :)
     
  23. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

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    Drive Snapshot v1.40.16052 (dated Apr 10 2012) is now available on their download page.
     
  24. napoleon1815

    napoleon1815 Registered Member

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    Thanks Aaron...where ya been? Missed your DS comments. :) Thanks for the heads up.
     
  25. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

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    Hi nap,

    Sorry for not being around here of late - I haven't been well. :(

    Regards,
    Aaron
     
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