Backup Routine Suggestions

I have a client who's HD was failing. She did not have any backup in place and experienced some data loss. The need to reinstall all of her applications and get the PC back to pre HD crash isnt sitting to well with her.
My proposal was to pick up a large internal HD and use it primarily for backup.
Run TI and make weekly images to the new HD. Just a few questions before i order the copy of TI 9.

1. How easy is it for the novice to restore an image?

2. Booting from the recovery CD and restoring an image from the backup HD to the primary HD should not be an issue correct?

3. Can TI 9 be scheduled to do weekly image backups to the 2nd internal HD, as well as do weekly folder and file backups to DVD-RW media?

4. The new feature of doing differential backups would be preferred over incremental due to less files being generated for the restore process correct?

 

How easy? semi-easy depending onthe machine. If, on a given machine, one has to hit Fkeys and type in Linux instructions when booting, I wouldn't call that easy for most users.

Otehr than that, if it works, it's rather uncomplicated, especially if restring a full disk image from one HDD to another.

Cloning is a bit more complicated, wht with the need to unplug one of the drives after cloning and not plugging it in until youwant to use the clone as the system and boot drive.

I don't muck about with the DVDs and CDs (too slow for my tastes and HDDs are too cheap). But you can schedule full backups easily, however, the name and hence the file is overwritten each time unless you make, for example for diff schedules with diff names to run an diff times.


sh

 

Are you saying the user has to type in command line instructions to do a restore? This is on a Windows XP machine.

If it works? Is this a negative comment on TI 9's reliability?

The backing up of certain files and folders to DVD-RW would be for increased security and peace of mind if PC was stolen.




Thanks

 

I don't think so. It's a negative comment on wireless mice, USB hubs and some USB external drives, as well as on highly worked up systems in general. It would be wise to download the trial version and test it on your client's machine.

 

The "stolen PC case" is a different story.

When you restore the image from the old PC to a new one, the drivers and system files won't match the new hardware anymore. It's hard to obtain a stable system on the new computer in this way, unless it is almost hardware-identical to the stolen one. But it should work for files and folders only, as would any other means of file-copying.

 

bVolk,
The backup to DVD-RW media would be for files and folders only i.e. My Documents, certain data files, email etc. and not for imaging purposes.
So there shouldnt be a concern here under those circumstances should there?

 

I think not, though I prefer to copy my Word files, e-mails, manuals and photos on separate CDs for easy and selective access.

 

I do that as well and use a copy of Nero to burn to a DVDRW and then i also use Synctoy to sync up to another machine on my network.
But id like to have one solution for this client and was hoping to do it with TI9.
She has Nero as well and i may set that up instead.

Thanks

 

Although I haven't used the new Files and Folders (FF) backup in TI9 it perhaps making TI the solution for both types of backup, image and data files.

I am not running a business so if I lost my files I would be annoyed but not wiped out.

I presently run BackUpMyPC which I had before TI to do a daily incremental of selected data file folders which are written to CD each night at 2AM. I was using differentials but the CD filled rather quickly since some of the files changed are large. I presume TI's FF backup could take over this role and that is my future intent.

Based on my experience I think you should do an equally careful analysis of your client's abilities as that of the software. Remember that the client isn't going to be restoring the system every week and it may be necessary to provide support when it happens. Also, if reversion to an image is required there is a good chance the HW has died so you will be needed then as well. Perhaps, it is a business opportunity.

I have many backups on HD, CD and DVD sitting around. So far my restores have been only because I wanted to try some new software. Maybe a backup sitting near the PC keeps it from getting sick - they seem to fail when there is no backup!

 

LOTL

In addition to the suggestions above and using Ti as an os restore, if you are unsure of your client's capabilities the following solution may be usefull:
http://www.mirra.com/product/personal_server_features.html

 

Thanks for the replies. If i go with TI9 it ll be for imaging only. Mirra looks interesting but ill have to pass. I like Backup MyPC and have recommened it to people in the past.
Was looking at downloading TI9 at Newegg and it really gets some mixed reviews. I also see a lot of issues here on Wilders (which i expect to some extent being a support forum).
Seems while their is some pretty decent participation here and the Acronis support team responds, it seems the software is far from superior to the likes of Ghost. I have used Ghost before and created rescue CD's for a couple of clients, but i have this aversion to Norton products that makes me really want to love TI9.
Ill have at the trial version and see how things go. Will the trial allow me to do a full image backup and restore as well as create the Bootable Rescue Disk?
I also read about issues creating the rescue disk on some machines and having to boot in safe mode among other things to get it done. There was some mention of conflicts with Nero.
It almost sounds as if when TI works it works great and when it doesn't it really shouldn't be trusted.
Any comments to these remarks are appreciated.

 

According to Acronis:
Please be aware that the trial version has the following limitations:

- Windows: all functions available, 15-days trial period;
- Bootable media: Recovery feature available only.

According to me:
Some machines do seem to have trouble creating the rescue CD although I didn't have any trouble at all. A conflict with other packet writing software like Nero's InCD is one of the causes. However, once you have created a CD for the particular build, the job is done. (You would be smart to make a couple at the same time.)

 

Ok i installed TI9 to test and right off the bat i had trouble making the restore CD. It would not recognize the CDR in the drive.
I fired up Nero's disk info and it wouldn't recognize the CDR but would recognize a DVD, blank DVD+R, prerecorded Music CD, and a prerecorded data CDR.
I had never seen this happen before installing TI9. I unistalled TI9 and now blank CDR's are recognized again.
Any ideas on this one, conflicts with Nero maybe?

 

Hello LOTL,

Thank you for your interest in Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please accept our apologies for the delay with the response.

We recommend you to try next tips in order to solve the problem with Bootable Rescue CD creation:

- Eject any disc from the burner prior to starting the application;

- Proceed until the program asks for a disc and open the tray;

- Insert a disc and then click the OK button to close the tray;

If that doesn't help then we would also recommend you to update third party CD writing software (Nero in your case, as I understand) to the latest version available for free on its respective web site.

Please note that you should use a blank unformatted CD-R or CD-RW in order to create a bootable rescue disc.

If the problem still persists then please try creating Bootable Rescue CD in Windows Safe Mode.

If that does not help either then please try disabling Windows XP's own CD recording feature: open "My Computer", right click on you CD/DVD recorder, select "Properties", select the "Recording" tab and uncheck the "Enable CD recording on this drive" tickbox. If using Roxio software then please also try disabling Drag-to-Disk before trying to create Bootable Rescue CD.

As for the problem with Nero software being unable to recognize CD-R media while the free trial version of Acronis True Image 9.0 is installed on your computer, please do as I have suggested above and update Nero to the latest version available for free on the respective web site.

If any of the problems you reported still persists then please provide us with the following information:

- Create Windows System Information as it is described in Acronis Help Post;

- What exact version and build number of Nero software do you use?

- What build number of the free trial version of Acronis True Image 9.0 do you use?

You can find the full version name and build number by going to Help -> About... menu in the main program window;

- Have you received any error messages? What exact error messages? When exactly have you received them?

- Describe actions taken before the problem appears step-by-step.

Please also do the following:

- Start command prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd);

- Go to \Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\CDRecord folder;

- Run "cdrecord –scanbus > scanbus.txt" command and collect the scanbus.txt file created.

Please submit a request for technical support using Ask a question before you purchase Acronis software link. Attach all the collected files and information to your request along with the link to this thread. We will investigate the problem and try to provide you with the solution as soon as possible.

Thank you.
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Alexey Popov