Testing Beta software

Is a FD-ISR snapshot as good for trying out Beta's as VMplayer,Virtual PC or Virtual Box? I have FD and don't know how to set up any of the others. I want to run the Beta on an exact copy of my system.

 

Yes it is. I run Vmware in one of my snapshots. Just make a snapshot and install the beta. If anything goes wrong you just boot to the newly made snapshot.

 

FDISR allows you to run beta-software like any other software.
BUT a beta-software might corrupt FDISR itself.

So as a precaution you better backup your system first, before trying the beta-software in a test snapshot.

 

How can the Beta of a respectable software mess up FD to the point that you can't reboot. It would have to mess with the MBR ,wouldn't it?

 

I don't even ask myself that question, I just take my precautions. That's how I stay out of trouble.
If you don't see any risks, don't take any precautions. It's your computer, not mine.

 

http://www.leapfrogsoftware.com/support_info/updates/

FD-ISR does NOT add/use/touch/change/delete the MBR... it now uses the PBR.

Mike

 

Thank you guys for the info.

 

I've never had beta software mess up fd-isr yet but its definitely possible. This is another reason why i prefer to use vm's for testing to avoid any corruption of my base system.

 

I have a Ghost image of my system on a separate drive. Of course I would hope that it wouldn't be needed. With Virtual PC can you make a copy of your system ? How difficult is it?

 

So you don't trust your Norton Ghost and you put your time in beta-testing ?
I would take care of my Image Backup software first and test its backup and restoration first until I know for sure I can depend on it.
Your priorities are wrong man !!!

 

I think with virtual pc it emulates certain hardware so if you tried to use a copy of your system in a vm your windows would probably complain about different hardware. You're probably better off using powershadow if you want virtualization of your exact system.