AcronisTrueImage,Genie Backup, Ext.Hard Drive?

This may not be appropriate for the Acronis True Image Product Line.

I'm trying to make a decision as to how to back up the files on my pc. I think that Acronis makes a copy of the operating system and can also back up files, etc. But I've read that the "better program" for backing up data, files, ect. is Genie BackUp Manager, but that Genie does not backup the os.

I have an external hard drive (Seagate Free Agent Pro).

Is it possible for me to backup files, email, etc. to the external hard drive using Acronis or Genie? Is one preferred over the other? Given that I have an external hard drive, is Acronis or Genie needed?

Please forgive me for being naïve.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

While Acronis can do only file backup, I find other programs better at that. When Acronis makes an image, it makes an image of an entire partition (or group of partitions or a whole disk if you choose) That includes the operating system and all data on the disk. You can browse the image once made, and find any particular files or folders you wish, or you can restore the partition(s) which will include the data. To Acronis, it's really all data. It's the PC that decides what is OS and what is Data.

Have fun.

 

Hi,
I personally use both softwares and Genie Backup is much better than Acronis for files backup.
For example , you can backup, registry,bookmarks,windows settings, etc.

The latest version of Genie now allows one to backup the OS.
I tried it and I really did not like it.It's very long and a bit complicated.In that field,Acronis is much much better.

 

Genie Disaster Recovery does restore your system from a backup file rather than an image. It is a very straightforward, wizard driven and a quick process.
The menus are written by someone with an understanding of plain English and logic. The boot disk actually works in Vista and Genie will competently answer any technical questions on a ticketed system within a couple of hours, 24/7. When I have needed to restore files it works - Acronis no longer gives me any reassurance that it will actually work and come to my rescue at times of need - which is the whole point of what the customer is actually paying for. I have had no answers on my Vista problem from Acronis in over a month. For XP I used both methods, for Vista I can only use one at present, Genie.

 

Thanks very much. I appreciate it.