Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by Isso, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    carfal,

    Thank you for sharing your experience. Since on the same setup the program works fine with internal disk, I tend to think the erratic restore times to be due to some problems with VMWare USB drivers or hardware.
     
  2. starfish_001

    starfish_001 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2005
    Posts:
    1,046
    Um trying to restore from windows results in ERROR: -99969

    Window 8 basically a clean install - with secureanywhere


    Thought it might be appguard but removing that I still get the error


    From the PE the restore action start ok - still waiting for it to finish - not so quick given it is only a snapshot
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2013
  3. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,946
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    If the PE is made from a W7 recovery console (WinPE v3.x), the "Windows Starting" logo will have W7's FireFly graphic... yours has the ugly sideways ladder graphic used by WInPE v2.x in Vista.

    Everytime I see that animated graphic I get scared... based on all my previous, although short lived, Vista experience. ;)
     
  4. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    I was able to reproduce this (ERROR: -99969) problem. Will upload a fixed release in 1-2 days. Thanks for letting me know.
     
  5. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Don't worry, it's Win 7 inside ;). AXTM itself doesn't have any PE embedded - it creates it from the system files of the main OS. Thus it simply cannot create Vista based PE from Win 7.
    You might want to check out recovery media creation on XP too - no other program can create XP PE using files of the main OS :cool:
     
  6. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,946
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Isso, quick question...

    Is each snapshot, basically, a child of the FULL backup (kinda like a differential)... or is there some other relationship with other snaps involved?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  7. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Each snapshot is incremental (i.e. a child of the previous snapshot) - this way the backup/restore speed and total size of the snapshots is minimal.
    Overall it results in a chain of backups (or a tree of backups - if you restore to an older one and start taking backups from there). You may notice excatly the same snapshot technology in Virtual machines like VMWare or VirtualBox
     
  8. pandlouk

    pandlouk Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Posts:
    2,976
    You 're welcome CyberMan.
    :)
    You are welcome Isso.

    I also thought that cyberman and aigle were referring to recovery environment; RE also can be usefull for network shares and if it supports scripting it can also work in a similar way.
    e.g. Create a backup script in a custom directory of the system -> reboot to recovery enviroment -> load the script, create the backup -> reboot to the OS enviroment -> delete/invalidate the script.
    TerabyteUnlimited's apps support this kind of scripting backup from recovery enviroment.

    Panagiotis
     
  9. pandlouk

    pandlouk Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Posts:
    2,976
    Versions 1.750 and 1.786 did not gave such error.

    I tried 1.796 both as update over the 1.786 and as clean install (restored a clean image with no AX64 installation) and both installations gave me the same result.

    It seems that 1.796 tries to create the backup, before VSS has the time to create a shadow of the volume.
    Did you use more aggressive timings in this version?

    Panagiotis
     
  10. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Posts:
    3,237
    Many thanks Isso, much appreciated. Can't wait for the official release.
     
  11. CyberMan969

    CyberMan969 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Posts:
    589
    Hey Isso, a lot of comments heading your way so far, I bet your head is spinning from all the info flying around; but the program is on the correct course, you pay attention to the users, and I can only see good things for the future :thumb:

    Personally I look forward to a future version of the start-up media that includes full and incremental backup and restore capabilities with variable levels of compression and the ability to verify existing images on demand. Also to be able to initiate or schedule off-line full/incremental backups/restores from within Windows using scripts, like Panayiotis explained. When such features become rock-solid and more people are made aware of them, then I think that a lot of Acronis/Paragon/Macrium users would be switching to AX64, provided of course that the price remains competitive. I would much rather use your program rather than the usual Acronis bloatware.

    I look forward to writing a review for the final release!
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2013
  12. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Thank you Panagiotis, I agree the approach with script and RE may be a nice solution too. But what I mostly liked about your "native app" solution is that we can keep fast backups and restores (with recovery media it's impossible, because our driver isn't running).

    As for the error - sorry about that, we already figured out the problem and I'll publish the fixed release in about 1-2 days. Thank you for your help to track it.
     
  13. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Thanks CyberMan, you are right, there are lot of commetns, but I'm trying to keep up :) And I'm really happy that there is interest and feedback. After working for 2 years on our own, it's very exciting to hear what the other people think.

    As for the future version with full-featured recovery media and partitioning functionality - I do have such plans. I hope we'll be able to bring them to life.
    And I do appreciate your willingness to write a review! :thumb:
     
  14. luffy

    luffy Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    17
    Will test this on Vista 64bit.
     
  15. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    luffy, please wait for 1-2 days until I upload the fixed release - there are a couple of major bugs in the current version. Thank you
     
  16. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Posts:
    3,237
    I have to say that its extremely refreshing to hear whats going on in this thread. A software developer who actually values what the customer (well, future customer anyway) is saying. There are usually thick walls and some thick heads between end users and developers that what the end user is experiencing is all but ignored. The developer has an idea in mind and so what if its not what the consumer wants and needs,,,its his vision, the end user be dammed. Good one Isso, thank you very much.
     
  17. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    bgoodman,

    Thank you very much. In fact, the feedback is very important, especially when the software is in active development phase - to get an understanding of the real customer needs.
    Also beta testing really helps to track hard-to-find bugs. On top of that we are getting some visibility.
    These are all very beneficial, so why not doing it?
    I really appreciate everyone's help and ideas, thank you guys!
     
  18. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Guys, I've uploaded the new release 1.0.800 to www.ax64.com.
    Following is done:

    - Fixed "restore error -99969"
    - Fixed "imaging error C1000000"
    - Some speed optimizations
     
  19. starfish_001

    starfish_001 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2005
    Posts:
    1,046

    Hi 99969 error fixed for me - installer should probably chek for open instance of app and then close.

    Restored app and rebooted - all good:)
     
  20. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Thanks, great to hear it! :)
    Will have the open instance in mind when updating
     
  21. pandlouk

    pandlouk Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Posts:
    2,976
    Isso,

    works fine on my systems too.
    I only noticed a slightly slower image creation for the first/full image (but could be my imagination).

    Panagiotis
     
  22. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Good to hear it, thank you Panagiotis!
    We didn't change anything that could affect full backup speed. I guess you might just have another process using HDD at the same time?

    Isso
     
  23. pandlouk

    pandlouk Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Posts:
    2,976
    Could be the scheduled tasks of 7, since I restored an image 1 month old before trying it.

    Panagiotis
     
  24. silat

    silat Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2006
    Posts:
    191
    Is this a substitute for Shadow Protect and the like or can I use it in conjunction with SP?
     
  25. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    silat,

    The internal operation of AXTM and ShadowProtect (SP) is quite similar - both are imaging programs. However the features and the user experience is quite different.

    AXTM lacks partitioning functionality, (i.e. you can't use it to move/resize partitions etc), and lacks some advanced features that SP has.
    But if you are using SP only for backup and recovery, then AXTM may fit that purpose nicely, because it's much easier to use than SP, has very fast backups and restores, and has much more effective method for finding and retrieving the old versions of files and folders (Backup Browser).
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.