Which Disk Imaging Software and why?

I haven't used any since Drive Image 4, and I'm looking for a replacement.

I want to be able to restore from an external USB drive, so the scenario is that the system HDD goes phut, I throw in a new drive, and want to be able to restore from USB with minimal hassle.

Acronis 2009 seems to be a contender, but there's a few horror stories. Plenty of horror stories on Symantec Ghost. It's difficult to tell, because some folk judge the software when they're not completely familiar with it.

Budget of up to £40

Last query. Is any package bought limited to one system?

Ta.

acronis is about the best, but there is room for improvement with it certainly. You are probably better off with the workstation version of acronis trueimage, not the home, which includes more features, and also doesen't have some of the major problems the home does (like failing to make backups but reporting all is OK)

I say go for acronis but get one of the earlier version. Version 9 or 10 are good at doing what they do.

I make a new image once a month or when i'm testing new operating systems and when i'mdone i restore the disc image and i have my old pc back in 5 minutes.

I personally prefer BootIt NG. I've been using it for years and never had any problems with it. The main advantages for me are it's small size ( fits on a floppy disk ) plus the fact it's far more than just imaging software.

The main downside with it is that because it's like a swiss army knife, it's not intuitive, it takes a little learning how to fully use it but once you do I don't think you'd consider anything else.

Another vote for BootIT NG and also Paragon Backup for simplicity and there's a free basic version or download the trial of Pro - make a bootable flash drive or CD from Pro and you have the full suite running from boot media under linux. Paragon backup express can back up to USB drive while using windows with Hot Media Technology. Two utilities I would not be without.

Give R-Drive Image a trial *

http://www.drive-image.com/

Less bloat than Acronis.

* make sure it's a full back up and restore trial - this applies to any other recommendations you get aswell, including Acronis.

Used to use Acronis but now much prefer any of Paragon's tools. Not quite so simple, initially at least, but they do have a wizard mode. They also supply a PE type recovery environment which can be run from a CD/DVD/USB or Firewire HD/USB Flash disk if it ever becomes necessary.

Here's a link to a free version of their HD/Partition backup tool for you to play with.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/feat...

Edit: Typo

Edited by deleted (Fri 13-Mar-09 15:23:18)

I'm using Macrium Reflect, easier than acronis so far.

Macrium - works EASILY and PROPERLY and it's FREE.

Use it on all three of mine, backing up to themselves and each other!

What more could you want?

Go for it,

Didn't see this as being free - only the 30 day trial?

Try here:

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Thanks - why didn't I find that! Can you or anyone else please tell me if you can backup selected parts (folders) and can it be done incrementally? Also does it detect files/folders on your backup HDD that have been deleted on your main HDD? Having read the blurb I think the answers to my Q are 'No' in regard to the Free Edition.

I am using FolderMatch which is quite good, but not free and I suppose mainly for data folders.

Edited by Goggo (Wed 18-Mar-09 09:01:14)