What a disaster

I decided to try a lot of different imaging programs to see if I like any of them better than my older Acronis True Image. What a disaster that was. At first I tried the new Acronis True Image 2014 didn't like it very much it was the same, then Macrium Reflect Pro which was ok but I thought it was to confusing. I did try Image for Windows but I didn't like the look of it to ugly. Tried Drive Snapshot next which was ok but I didn't like it either. To plain. Had used AX64 previously but wanted something where the recovery cd worked and I could use it to create images.

Finally I just decided to just go back to my older Acronis True Image recovery media but of course it didn't work anymore for some reason. What a mess. Then I tried my AX64 again and it did not work either. Nothing would work. I was just going to reinstall Windows 7 64 bit SP1 all over again but finally fixed it by just deleting my main drive partition I use for my OS and Apps. Then AX64 recovery media started to work. I still wanted to go back to my older Acronis True Image recovery media but to scared I will mess up my system again.

To bad Sandboxie doesn't work with Disk imaging programs it wouldn't though sense it installs drivers. I guess I should of used a VM.

 

I really like Clonezilla. It's not "pretty" but it is reliable and fast (especially the x64 bit on my 64 bit Windows 7 laptop.) The only thing that it can't do is mount an image to extract individual files. But since I keep my data on external drives, this hasn't affected me.

There have been other image apps I've tried and liked. But I keep coming back to Clonezilla...

http://clonezilla.org/

 

I can relate to pretty much everything you said. I have settled for O&O DiskImage. The UI is nice and it has never failed me. My only complaint is the speed with which it creates incremental/differential backups but that is better than a fast Acronis backup that I cannot restore.

 

I used True Image on XP and now i use it on Seven, never had problem. But you might want to consider Paragon, here in Wilders there is the Official Paragon Support Forum.

 

Hi Max

The AXTM Recovery CD works fine...never had a problem with it and there are development plans to allow image creation from the CD.

It is a young product so I would recommend giving another go or at least keeping an eye on how it develops.

It has just about replaced both ATI 2013 AND RB Rx for me.

Regards, Balders

 

AOMEI Backupper has a nice gui and its been rock solid for me under several scenarios.

 

Prettiness has priority over reliability and effectiveness?

In all my tests last year, I found Macrium to be the most straightforward and easy to use (before AX64 came out). It pays to spend some time to familiarize yourself with what you're testing.

 

Have you tried Win 7's built-in imaging tool?

 

It is a factor, at least for some. If you can't get past the UI you won't use the program if you have alternatives.

 

I can understand if it's unusable, difficult to navigate/understand.... but ugly?

 

Omg I finally got True Image working the way it was before with the recovery cd. Thank god.

I don't know what but something created a 100 MB partition in the front of my C drive. The only thing I did before redoing my system was turn on Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. See how it works then turn it off. That and I installed Shadow Defender but didn't uninstall it before redoing my system.

 

This partition is characteristic for Windows 7. You can find some information about it (also in connection with making images) for example here:
http://kb.macrium.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50049.aspx

 

Yeah but when I installed Windows 7 the first time I made sure to not let it make that 100 MB partition.

 

answered above in quote. i own nearly every image program out there and imo image for windows is what i personally use on any system where backups are important to me. it just works and works flawless. even though i do own acronis you will not find it in use on any of my personal systems way to bloated and to many issues again this is imo.

 

trying this out now never used this one. looks very simple. if it works well this could be great for those who want small and very simple.. thanks for the link will report back once i test it out fully with a review.

 

How was your experience with the AEOMI product.?

Im considering giving this a shot as a second back up option.

 

I've been using AB since the first release, had a minor issue with the bootable usb and tech support solved the issue in a heartbeat, the program has been rock solid for me, used in 5 computers in my place.

 

Hi RM,

As an instructor in information systems, several of my students asked me to recommend a free image-backup program. I recently tested a few (performing backups and restores) and found AOMEI Backupper very easy to use, versatile and more importantly, reliable! Another excellent choice is Macrium Reflect (but the MR free edition has a limitation in that it cannot make incremental or differential backups).

Wendi

 

Thank you wendi.