Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

Peter,

Bare metal restore is supported in AX64. We don't have "restore to dissimilar hardware", but starting from Windows 7 the OS itself accomplishes that task pretty well, that's why we didn't pay much attention to it.

Isso

 

Mohamed,

Thanks a lot for your great suggestion, most likely we'll go that way
BG, Norman, Baldrick, VP, Scott and others - I appreciate your input and we'll definitely have your suggestions in mind.

Isso

 

Hi Pete,

That's not what I would do either, and not what I'm requesting. The problem I see is that AXtrack doesn't recognize that the C-drive is virtualized and it gets 'confused'. As a consequence AX64's incremental snaps take as long to create as its baseline snap (in essence becoming another baseline snap) and in the worst case AX64 snaps become totally corrupted! I would like AX64 to only create snaps when the system drive is not virtualized - in the same rapid manner (and be as reliable) as when SD is not installed.

I hope that clarifies the issue.

TS

 

There shouldn't be any problem with Bitlocker, we tested it.

Isso

 

Thank you guys, will certainly do

Isso

 

Werderforever,

Thank you for sharing the results. I think 1145 will work even better for you.

Isso

 

The Shadow,

Unfortunately it's a quite difficult task. SD is modifying the disk structure behind AX64 in an unpredictable way. SD is working at a lower level than AX64 thus the only way to overcome this is to place AX64 even lower than SD, which will require lot of work and will make AX64 more intrusive to the system.

Isso

 

Hi Isso,

Thanks for responding to my frustration about this issue. It seems to me that even if SD is operating at a lower level (than AX64) AXtrack (or whatever) could nevertheless detect that Shadow Mode has been enabled and as a consequence make AX64 'go to sleep' through the duration of SD virtualization. Just as an example of where I'm coming from, I've notice that when Shadow Mode is enabled the Windows process 'DefenderDaemon.exe' is running. Why couldn't you monitor Windows processes for such an event and stop AXtrack from further disk-change monitoring during the period that Shadow Mode is enabled?

TS

 

Greetings Isso

I would just say it's reassuring and expected that your flagship imaging/snapshot AX64 Time Machine will be maintained ( to everyone's relief) front and center with even newer functions and appreciate you addressing the added unexpected concerns that recently became a reality in the merger agreement that came forward and is now realized as a combo of 2 plans as opposed to a single one which once introduced, is given rise to much more interest and anticipation then end users could ever have expected in their wildest imaginations or hopes.

So please keep up the good work.and in addition take comfort that we.all greatly appreciate your.rare and.unprecedented level of the respect and support you have brought to us personally in forging a welcomed new product and always going that extra mile on.your customer's behalf.

 

TS, what you're requesting is a special detection of the LV solution that you use personally... SD. What about all the other LV users that use tools other than SD? it would be very difficult for Isso's team to deal with all the possibilities.

Peter's suggestion of rethinking (if you really like the tool) the use of AX64 TM in the same vein as a LV tool may provide you with what you need, albeit not as fast in recovery. I use AX64 all the time when I'm trying to protect the system from what I'm about to do... and since it's usually a short period of time in protection, the RESTORE is very quick when necessary.

 

Pete, I've not only thought about it, I actually removed SD and tried just 'living with' AX64 for 2 weeks. Bottom-line is I very much missed SD, mostly (but not entirely) the system security it provides. So I wound up removing AX64, reinstalling SD and relying on IFW for image-backups, although I would prefer AX64 if only....

TS

 

TRF, I understand your point but with nearly 3000 posts in Wilders' SD thread it can hardly be considered my own personal LV. I would go as far as to speculate that SD has far more users (at least here on Wilders) than all other LVs combined!

In this regard, please see my preceding reply to Pete.

TS

 

Firstly, AX64 restores take quite a bit longer than simply rebooting my system to exit Shadow Mode. Secondly, every now and then I ran into an AX64 restore paradox where restoring an AX64 snap took much longer than usual (without SD on my system)! Thirdly, with your 'MO' wouldn't you lose any and all system/app updates which may have occurred during the day? With SD there are options available to retain updates.

Insofar as you and TRF suggesting that AX64 is a replacement for SD I respect your opinion - but I just don't find that to be the case, so if possible I would like to enjoy the benefits of both apps!

TS

 

That is exactly my thinking after first, several months ago, getting a "free" license of SD; using it for a week or so, then finding out more about AX64. Ultimately, I uninstalled SD and have been using AX64 ever since.

For me, the best part is that I can take a quick image using AX64, uninstall software, reboot, install new software, reboot (if necessary), try it out for a day or two, then hot restore back to where I started prior to multiple reboots. You just can't do that with SD! That single factor was what made the decision for me; the fact that SD cannot really work when you have to reboot for software installation or un-installation.

 

For the speed issues, it all depends on how often and how far back you need to restore. If you need system virtualization on every boot and allow very little changes, then Shadow Defender is for you. If you only need occasional restoration, AX64 is fine for the job (although slower). If you need backups, then obviously AX64 wins.
As for the third point, you wouldn't restore in the first place with AX64, which is basically imaging on steroids. They're very different technologies even with similar results.

I wouldn't call it a replacement, but for many it's a better alternative. For both apps to be compatible, there needs to be some fundamental changes that I doubt Isso or the developer of Shadow Defender have time for.

 

Does anyone know of the changes that were made in builds 1133 and 1145? I realize they are not official releases, but was wondering if either one might benefit my system configurations.

Cruise

Ps. I asked this question a few weeks ago (but never received any replies) so I apologize for asking again but now that Isso has returned perhaps he will kindly provide a list of the changes.

 

Yup, I know, just saying that thats, in part, why some folks are nervous with the idea of MBR tweaks from 3rd party software.

 

and I was one of them but have, without regret, replaced SD with AX64 when it came down to one or the other. AX64 just offers so much more without, in my mind, compromising my security.

I should mention that I am also using AppGuard. When I want to do something I would have normally used SD for I take an AX64 snap, put AppGuard into Locked Down mode, do whatever I wanted to do, switch AG to medium protection to prevent the 20% hot restore freezes from happening (I of course would prefer leaving AG in Locked Down mode or even High but perhaps with the next build of AX64 I will be able to do so), and roll back.

Bottom line, once I roll back anything that might have been lurking is gone gone gone so I feel this combo is actually more secure than SD since with SD malware can be installed during use and is only gotten rid of after reboot. This way malware cant even get installed/launched,,, and then, if it had been downloaded, is removed upon rollback.

Which pretty well means total protection,,,at least thats what I believe.

 

Hi Cruise,

Fwiw, I too would like to learn of the changes to 1120 that resulted in 1133 and 1145.

Wendi

 

I must admit I am jealous. I have been reading this list since its inception, and grown more and more enthusiastic about AX64, but only vicariously. And as long as there is no multi-partition support (on the same HDD), that's how it will remain.

I have posted several times concerning this feature but despite its popularity on the AX website, it always remains several months away. Is it such a difficult problem or just not worth the effort?

Norman

 

Shalom Norman,

There will be two products, one AX64 Time Machine and RealCopy Time Machine. The later one will have multi-partition support (on the same HDD) and multi-disk support too!

Your wish has come true, but AX64 Time Machine will remain as simple as possible and hopefully without multi-partition support (on the same HDD).

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Certainly good news about both products. If this comes to pass i will carry on using ax64.

Isso,

Im ready to test the new beta, along with the others.

regards

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