Dedicated FirstDefense Forum

Pete

You are welcome!
I forgot to mention that you can try IFD without fear of adding permanently any files or registry entries to your system. IFD runs from a floppy or a CD-R and it is quite simple to operate.
Best regards

Rui

 

Just for the record, I didn't get any BSODs when I installed RestoreIt. It installed without any problems on my Windows XP Home system.

 

TonyW

So, what is your opinion about RestoreIt?
Does it provides an interesting added value, if you already have an imaging application like Image For Dos?
I myself can only think of three advantages RestoreIt may have over an imaging application working under DOS :

(1) Faster operation, providing you are keeping RestoreIt created files in your main HD (although in a separate partition);
(2) Ability to restore individual files, and
(3) Possibility of creating incremental backups, thus reducing the time spent in restoring operations.

How many time does it take to create/restore an incremental backup in RestoreIT?

Do you find RestoreIt reliable?

Your comments and answers to these questions would be very appreciated.

Best regards

Rui

 

Pete

Sorry about that inconvenience.
However, I am afraid the imaging process won't be faster when performed by the Windows version. But, in this case, you will be able to use the computter while the image is being done. I guess that this is the advantage of the Windows version. I only hope it will be as reliable as the DOS version.
Please don't forget to post baxk your results and opinions!
Best regards

Rui

 

Yo, fellows, Imaging programs definitely deserve their secure and deserved spot in the backup world, but these INSTANT recovery programs (FD, GB, RI, etc.) are called "instant" for a reason!

Acadia

 

Acadia

Well, I guess the applications you are referring to are less INSTANT consuming than imaging ones like IFD or Norton Ghost...

Rui

 

10 snapshots is a lot! I keep the Primary in pristine condition, have snapshots for W2K install and hardware and W2K with security apps installed just in case, and then a testing snapshot, for risky business. It's been great, especially in beta testing.

I also copy my entire drive to another backup drive (same size) every few weeks in case I have a hardware issue.

But FD 'rocks'! It's the one app that I can't do without. The disk copy software is the same. Sony can't get me in trouble!

Another thing to note, when I bought Perfect Disk, Raxco sent an offer for 50% off any other product and I picked up FD for $25.00, a real bagain....

Jim

 

It's a nice program with an easy-to-understand interface, and didn't seem to drag on my system (WinXP Home SP2).

Creating an incremental backup point was pretty quick within a minute or less, but a restore from an incremental backup point took about 10 minutes.

But, as I have been saying in previous posts, I found the latest and most recent incremental backup point increasing in size therefore slowly using up the hidden partition. Admittedly, I didn't use the custom setup as I used their recommended settings, which created over 3GB for the partition with about 2.8GB being used for the backup points. By the end of the first day of my trial, 30% of that space was already used with 3 incremental backup points, and the most recent one gaining more bytes as computer was being used.

It probably is, but I just don't get why a current incremental backup point has to increase in size after it's made.

 

Pete

Only 3-5 minutes for a FDISR copy
Well, now I understand what Acadia meant...
It is really a pity I can't use it!!
How many time took the image creation using Image for Windows?
I am glad I have helped you find an adequate Ghost replacement.
Best regards

Rui

 

If updating an existing snapshot from another one, it can take as long as that because all it's doing is dealing with changed files. Making a brand new snapshot will take longer depending on the used space that's being "copied".

 

What I meant was, was the time spent in recovery from a hosed system, either from a virus, a bad software install, or a stupid mistake. FirstDefense only take me about 5 minutes to COMPLETELY recover from these disasters, even the unbootable ones. In all fairness, GoBack was the same way, about 5 minutes.

Acadia

 

Gotta check that...

-RE

 

Hi Pete

Sorry, but I could only answer your post at this time.
I was not expecting that IFW could image a drive faster than IFD.
Is it possible to keep working on the computer after the drive is locked for imaging?
Thanks for your feedback.
I am glad I could be helpful to you concerning IFW. I am going to try it and see if it is significantly faster than IFD on my system.
Best regards

Rui

 

D*mn that's correct, the inc backups size increase!
Someone already asked their tech support?

-RE

 

HI Pete

Thanks for posting back!
Well, after seeing your information, I decided to try IFW.
Even If I know now that time imaging differences have to do with the way the HD is accessed, it is a remarkable difference! So:
With IFD it takes 70 minutes to image and verify, against the 20 minutes it takes with IFW (8 minutes copy + 12 verify operation). My HD has an amount of 15 GB in information.

I experimented with continuing to work with the computer (browsing) and nothing peculiar happened.

On the other hand, if I try to restore the image from IFW directly to my system drive, I am unable to do it, as I get the message that the system could not be locked. I guess you have to restore through IFD (and that it's no problem, as when you purchase IFW you get also IFD).

I have also contacted Terabyte support and I am very well impressed with their responsivenes, too.

Probably, I am going to buy IFW, too. Just tired of always having to wait more than one hour to get the image done.

Please let me know if I can provide you with any further help. If in need, feel free to PM me.

Best regards

Rui

 

Hi TonyW

Sorry, but I was nort able to acknowledge your post sooner.
Thank you very much for sharing the information and answering my questions.

There are two things which I dislike in RestoreIt:

(1) Using one hidden partition to store image/backup files, and
(2) Incremental backups increasing its size in the hiden partition, a fact confirmed by Reve Etrange.

Also, if restoring from an incremental backup point takes 10 minutes, how much time does a take to restore from a complete backup image?

Probably I am going to contact RestoreIt tech support and inquire about incremental backup points increasing.

Again thank you very much for sharing your experience with RestoreIt!

Best regards

Rui

 

I have already contacted Farstone tech support.
I will post the answer after receiving it.
Regards
Rui

 

Hi Pete

It took 12 minutes to restore (using IFD) an image created with IFW and kept in my secondary HD. Restored perfectly!
Best regards
Rui

 

Hi Pete

I have switched from Acronis to IFD because - at least in my system - True Image was buggy and not adequately reliable. And, in my opinion, an imaging/backup application HAS TO BE 100% RELIABLE!

I have only tried IFW once and today, but concerning IFD what I can say is that it has proved its reliability more than a dozen times! Always worked flawlessly for me. Period.

Take care you, too.

Rui