Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

AX64 manual snapshots making large incremental snapshots after updating programs like CCleaner, VLC etc. Snapshots are usually 20-400MB with some file editing, settings changes, AV updates. With updates of programs snapshots come out to 800MB-1.4GB. Is this normal? I use SSD so I don't use defragment tool, not even on hard-drives, could it be the trim or grabage collection?

Didn't have this problem with Drive SnapShot prior to trying out AX64 and it made differential snapshots sizes accordingly to updates I made. Everything else about AX64 is great, speed of snapshot/restore and will be replacing Shadow Defender and Drive SnapShot.

 

I thought that if AX64 did not find an appropriately named backup folder it would create one. That is, there is no need to create a blank folder.

 

Did you run CCleaner after the update? That can account for lots of changes on the disk.

 

Yes I always run cleaners, clear out sandboxie boxes etc before backups. I just restored to a previous snapshot, updated SUMo itself (C:\Program Files (x86)\KC Softwares\KC Softwares\SUMo install dir 3.22 MB), ran cleaners, took AX64 snapshot: 120MB.

 

There IS a very simple solution to your problem. Do not defrag your drive with AX64 running.

If you want to defrag your drive turn Ax64 auto snap off. Defrag the drive, rename the AXTM folder, and turn auto snap back on.

This way there will be no chance of corruption.

Now, since AX64 uses Volume Shadow Service defragging the drive while AX64 is running should not be an issue so perhaps something else is going on and I expect sending the logs to Isso may help identify what it is, but in the mean time following my above suggestion will certainly eliminate the problem.

OH, and by the way, even though I am 100% confident about AX64 I still image weekly using a different program. These images are to a drive that is stored off site so even if something happened to my PC and the AX64 backup drive I would have access to a relatively recent system state.

 

Isso has indicated that the problem (at least in my case) had nothing to do with AX64. In my case I defragged the storage drive while snaps were being created. I will not do that again.

 

Not STRICTLY correct,,,,,,, you can do a manual merge (delete a snap) from within the AX64 browser any time you like.

 

Seems to me this was encountered some time back but I cannot recall the solution. I would suggest an e-mail to AX64 support.

 

Yeah. I'll do that. Thanks.

I do have one more question though. Is it possible to create a cold boot image of a machine protect by a ax64 using another imaging software? To me, this is vital. No matter what the title, I don't trust fund software to be my all in one security solution. I prefer to have a safety net; a complete system image created by image for Windows. Would be possible to do that with a ax 64 installed? Or, would it create complications? Also, what would happen if restored my system rollback images on a completely separate partition; when I still be able to restore the baseline snapshot, or would I need all subsequent snapshots in order to restore that baseline. No snapshot software works by using that baseline snapshot as a reference for all snapshots created after that, but Im not sure if also snapshots need to be present or just that first on.

 

Hi there,

You can do both COLD and HOT images with other imaging programs to your heart delight.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

BG, you are correct... I wrote that while thinking of some early testing.

 

BG, you are STRICTLY correct...I was referring to automatic merging, rather than what occurs when deleting snaps...and should have precised that in my reply (was trying to do too many things at the same time...at the time ).

 

Ahhhhhhh... peace and quiet on a late Monday morning (GMT-5), users having reached acceptance and settled into a calming meditation.

I hear the soft sound of a Viola in the distance... as I approach, I am pleasantly surprised. The maestro at the strings... yep, it's Isso. I think I'll just lay back and sip some of that wonderful tea brewing on the patio table.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh......

 

Hi Froggie...how did you know that I am into meditation? Is your reach even greater than I had thought.

I will have my tea with a little milk...and no sugar, cheers!

 

Hi ralws,

Thank you for your compliment!
Indeed, it's very exciting to see the active participation of the forum members, and I often receive some very valuable ideas that would never come across my mind.

Isso

 

Hi Peter,

Sorry about this problem. may I ask you to create a support ticket by visiting www.ax64.com page and pressing Feedback & Support button on the top left corner? Please include the logs. The ticket will allow both of us to track the status of this issue. Thank you

Isso

 

Stode,

Thank you for your suggestions. For popup on mouse hovering - will implement it. For Starting the backup on pressing Enter - frankly for me personally that's the preferred method as I write short descriptions and I prefer to start the backup by pressing Enter. I'm wondering what do the others think about it? Thank you

Isso

 

login123,

Wow, I can't believe someone could go through this monster thread! You have a great patience

Thank you for your interest and yes, the 25% discount is available. I'll send to you the coupon via PM in a moment.

For your questions:

1. Chkdsk is fixed
2. When TDL4 is installed it breaks something in the OS and AX64 cannot see the drives, so Hot restore is impossible. However Cold restore using AX64 Recovery media completely cleans the system.
3. Yes, MBR is backed up every time you make a snapshot and it's restored to that specific version.

Thank you very much for your naming ideas. Too bad I have no way to modify the poll to include your suggestions, I'm very sorry about it.

Isso

 

Personally I am with you...pressing Enter. But I can see Stode's point. Perhaps, it is not too difficult the choice of Enter or a suitable alternative could be a user configuration option, at some time in the future?

 

Hi Isso

With the requests for further configuration features, and the likelihood that you will provide some of them, is there not a danger that the beautiful simplicity of the set up & use of AXTM as it currently is, could be 'lost'?

I think so...and therefore was wondering if it would not make sense to retain the current functionality as a 'Novice' or 'Simple' version of the app, and provide access to the newer configuration functionalities, when they arrive via an 'Expert' or 'Advanced' version.

What I mean by that is one app but with two GUIs...very similar in nature and switchable between them using a toggle, and the main difference would be that under the 'Expert' or 'Advanced' version the user has access to the newer configuration/options.

Just a musing, earlier today, whilst meditating and sipping my tea (still don't understand how The Frogster knew about that... ).

 

Just found this thread ,though i remember isso talking about this project a while back.Without having to search all the pages in this thread can i just ask about the defragging while theres a snapshot happening? (i read about conflicts early in the thread)..I guess that it wouldn't be very safe to have auto defragging enabled then ,such as puran defrags background scanning or even scheduled defragging such as the one built into windows?.Also early on in the thread there was mention of chkdsk problems.Has this been addressd?.If not what exactly would happen if chkdsk was invoked?.Would it just not work or would something else happen?.Has the software been tested with security software and are there any conflicts?.I mcurrently flit between image for windows and macrium and never had a problem but backups and restores are long winded.I also used rollback rx in the past and and it hosed my system.This hybrid intrigues me but just how safe is it and what are the current cons?
Thanks

 

Hi Baldrick and Isso, With respect to dividing AX64 into 2 GUI's (simple and Advanced,) I don't think that is necessary because all you need is an Advanced button on the original GUI that will take you to the advanced settings, as I see in various other apps.
As for keeping AX64 simple and preventing eventual bloat, I'm for that. I've seen too many easy to use apps turn into complicated monsters that people eventually shy away from. We should suggest using K.I.S. (keep it simple)

 

Hi ellison

To quote the FAQ over at the AX64.com website:

"Can I defragment the drives?

There are no problems with defragmenting the drives - neither the drive that is backed up, nor the backup destination drive. Just keep in mind that defragmentation of the former will result in a bigger size of the following backup."

And that is what I have found in relation to this. However, I think that the consensus view is "make sure that you do not defrag when a snap is being taken". Personally I do not have auto defragging and prefer to defrag when everything else in the system is closed down; internet, AV, backup software, as it makes the defrag quicker anyway.

BG, summed it up quite well in his post earlier today:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=2263441&postcount=3630

HTH

Balders