Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

Well, for what it's worth, I have to agree with Peter, Brian, and mpsan: Keep It Simple Stupid. That is part of the charm of AXTM.

Acadia

 

Agreed that simple is good, but oversimplify might not be.

Some computers come with more than 1 partition. And what would happen if those regular computer users who chose this "simple software" find out that after all those backups they've been doing diligently, they can only restore a portion of their computers?

In this current state of AXTM, it has to state that the software only supports 1 partition. And with this statement, even regular computer users need to find out what kind of creature "partition" is.
On the other hand, if AXTM supports multi-partition setup, then it can rightfully state: the 1 thing that you'll ever need to backup your computer.

 

Do I dare ask how the merged product is coming along? (Real Copy (?) + AX64 combined)

If memory serves me right (which it often doesn't) something was said about possible beta or something.. or perhaps more info or something in February? I'm probably wrong here any my memory is playing tricks on me, but might as well ask.

 

Also in the shaky memory camp but it seems to me that waj or possibly Isso said that they are focusing on AX64 for now and once thats rock solid they will get onto the combined program.

Could be wrong about this but thats what I recall.

 

I may be a minority however, I would like to see AX64 working for everyone before they start integrating it with Real Copy which will surely add a host of additional issues.
I still can't run AX64 and I'm sure i'm not the only one.

 

I will "ditto" that opinion.

Acadia

 

Mee too. Let it just work reliably before u add anything. It,s still unreliable on many many systems.

 

Tried v 24 and 36 on a windows 8.1 tablet, Lenovo Miix 2 8.

Installed fine. Both failed to complete a backup with an error code.

 

Let me add that keeping it simple is a good idea but having multiple partition capability can also be done simple. The charm of AXTM will be enhanced by this functionality and it is not feature creep but rather a significant product enhancement. I very much want to see multiple partition as a feature of AXTM.

 

+1. All I would really need would be the ability to put my OS back like it was when I last booted it, or maybe one or two snapshots earlier.

Why?
I might install several softwares then decide I don't need them. The uninstallers often leave things behind. I might be on the web and accumulate a bunch of tracking trash or toolbars or some kind of malware. I might have many copies of edited pictures, and only want the last one, saved to another location.

I would just want AX64 to put the OS partition back like it was at a preferred point in time, losing the leftovers, the 'net junk, and the working copies. IOW, a dependable hot restore with windows running.

There are after all many imaging apps that will back up those other partitions.

Just my 2 cents. I know it isn't that simple, what with UEFI, GPT, and all the other latest & greatest innovations, but that is all I would actually want, and I would gladly pay for an app that would do it.

Your doing great work, guys. Thank you. Looking forward to the final release.

 

I would hope they will keep AX64 as a separate entity but also include it with Real Copy as a Suite. Not everyone will want Real Copy too.

 

So I know a lot of you use AX64 to completely uninstall applications after testing them, but how do you deal with applications that you've been using for a while and want to uninstall? For example I had a game installed and during that time I also set up a lot of other things like OpenVPN and generally other settings, so if I were to revert back in order to uninstall the game I would also lose all of the other things, so I simply uninstalled it using the control panel and of course it left a ton of files behind.. How do you people deal with such situations?

Edit: Or perhaps that doesn't belong to this thread? In that case I apologize and mod can delete my message if necessary.

 

I believe they have already stated their long term goal is to integrate them. This is what normally happens with acquisitions like this.

 

I simply use an uninstall program like Revo that will remove more leftovers than the program's own uninstall process. (Iobit has one that will force an uninstall whereas Revo won't if it's not found by Revo, which at times it is not.)

 

I've tried IObit Uninstaller but it too left files on the system like registry keys and save files. And I also think Revo for 64bit is only available for payment, right?

Edit: Isn't there some kind of program that monitors the installer and perhaps even the installed files so that it knows all the changes done by that installation? Something similar to Comodo Program Manager but for Windows 8.1 64-bit? Probably not

 

Related to AX64, the only way you can utilize it for this kind of situation is by making one manual snap as the root, and then make branches.
Then you have to micro-manage it (put common softwares in each etc.), and IMO really isn't practical.

For temporary things (even if "temporary" equals to several months), the cleanest way is by using virtual machines.

Beyond this, you are right that they don't belong here.

 

The only thing I can think of is a snapshot program like Rollback RX. This is very easy with this. You just name the snapshot "installed (program name)" and if you don't like it, you revert the snapshot.

 

In the past (not recently), I have used the following with excellent results...

Total Uninstall

I think it would be best to start a new thread concerning this topic... there are lots of options and lots of users with opinions.

And besides... you don't want Peter crawling down your neck

 

AX64 is also kind of that "snapshot program"
But (unfortunately) for the time being (hopefully,) it only takes snapshot of a partition in one's computer.

 

That was the original idea but Aladdin suggested keeping them separate and the developers agreed it was a good idea. AX64 will be the basic program and RealCopy will have all the bells and whistles.

 

Yes, but in their enthusiasm all the developers seem to have moved over to AX64 and no one stayed behind to continue the work on RealCopy.

Norman

 

Exactly, and since AX64 is 1: the more complete product (as in functioning as designed to), and 2: AX64 will become the backbone of RealCopy, it makes sense to get AX64s bugs and issues ironed out first. There is no point in spending time on RC if its backbone is not as good as it needs to be.

 

Hi Guys,


A new product ready to test for you guys!

We've received quite a number of requests in the e-mail from the small enterprise space for an AX64 Command Line (AXcmd) version.

We know it's not for everyone - but for those tech savy enough, AXCmd will allow you to use AX64 will a lot more flexibility and power then before. Download link is here.

Feel free to test it out and let us know your results. Any questions, feel free to ask here or info@ax64.com.

Cheers,

Wajamus
-----

Introducing AXcmd, a command line backup application designed for the advanced user who wants to control every aspect of their backup needs.

This powerful tool can be plugged into any script or routine with just one command line.

AXcmd combined with AX64 Time Machine graphical interface make a formidable tool set for data protection.

Key features:

 AXcmd provides a command line interface allowing you to use AX64 directly from the command prompt.
 You are able to run the application from batch (.BAT) files and other script languages.
 For the advanced user, this makes it ideal for automating repetitive tasks.
 Backup multiple volumes to any destination. Simply run a single command for every volume you need to backup and a fast incremental will be created.
 Seamlessly interchangeable with the AX64 Time Machine interface allowing you to automatically see all your backups in the backup browser and even continue making incremental.
 The commands are designed to be simple and you can get help on any command by simply typing “/?” on a specific command like “AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=<command> /?”•
 The application is portable and totally independent only requiring a single DLL file and executable. Simply put it in a USB and you can start backing up to any other machine. It does not require the graphical interface of AX64 and is less than 4MB in size.
 Never miss a backup again as you can perform advanced scheduling using Windows Scheduler with one command line “AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=backup”
 AXcnd uses the same engine as AX64 Time Machine to give you the same performance and reliability you’ve come to expect


When the utility is run without any commands the command line help is shown as follows:

AXTMCmd v.1.4.1.42
Use this for more information:
AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=<command> /?

List of possible commands:

register - register your software copy. Check AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=register /?
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=register /user=John /key=9999-9999-9999-9999-9999-9999

install - install/update track and virtual disk drivers

uninstall - uninstall track driver

volumes - list all volumes with additional info

info - show additional information, including current drive to backup and destination

backup - backup the volume, when used alone try to make incremental based on current settings. Check AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=backup /?
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=backup /volume=C /destination=D:\AXTM /description="Backup description"

list - list backups from directory, if no path is provided a heuristic approach are used. Check AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=list /?
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=list /path=X:\AXTM

restore - restore volume from image, you can use path or ID, see detailed help. Check AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=restore /?
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=restore /file=X:\AXTM\file.axd

mount - mount virtual disk, you can do it by specifying path or ID, see detailed help.
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=mount /path=X:\AXTM /group=0 /item=1

unmount - unmount virtual disk by disk signature or volume letter.
An example: AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=unmount /volume=T


To backup a volume you can use the following commands.

AXTMCmd.exe /cmd=backup [/volume=C /destination=D:\AXTM] [/description="Backup description"]
/volume - volume letter to backup
/destination - destination folder for backup
/description - backup description
if additional parameter is not set then we use the one from current settings. check <info> command

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Best regards.

The AXteam

 

Yesterday I had a never seen before BSOD while watching a HD video on YouTube.
Tried to use AX64 v 1.4.0.19 for a hot restore, it hang at 85% for at least 1 hour before I rebooted in cold restore.
Cold restore was apparently fine, but when I run chkdsk there were many file errors that had to be corrected.
This (file system errors upon restore) is a problem that I intermittently get from AX64 - never from Macrium restores - and in my mind makes AX64 still buggy