Windows Vista Backup

Hi All,

My laptop suffered a nasty virus attack and I was forced to format the hard drive and start again. I used the Acer recovery discs which set the system back to its factory settings. This included Windows Vista, but as it was in February 2007. Next I had to download and install all the Windows Vista updates and of course reload all my other programs.

Now this is all done, can anyone recommend a good way (free if possible!) of making a backup recovery set of discs that would be a complete copy of my hard drive along with Windows Vista just in case this happens again.

Thanks.
aliens (Tony)

Not free - but I use Acronis True Image (Home Image 2009).

Normally quite a few cheap copies on eBay - but make sure you get the Vista version.

Hi,

Thanks, I will take a look on EBay. Will the Vista version also work on Windows XP as I have another laptop running Windows XP?

Best Wishes,
aliens

You might want to look at Macrium ReflectFree before going for a paid solution.

Just had a look at the box Acronis came in and it doen't list any system requirements, just says back up your PC.

Edit - The Acronis fact sheet for Home 2009 says :-

Windows Vista (all Editions) (x32/x64 SP1)
Windows XP Home (x32 SP3 / x64 SP2)
Windows XP Professional (x32 SP3 / x64 SP2)

Another Edit :-

The Macrium looks interesting, but it seems to indicate that File and Folder backup is not included in the free version.

Edited by deleted (Fri 07-Aug-09 11:01:11)

Hi,

Thanks, that looks quite good. Off to download that next!

Best Wishes, aliens

Hi,

Thanks for all your help.

I will download and try the Macrium, but maybe also need to think about buying Acronis?

Best Wishes, aliens

Before you decide take a look at Paragon Express, it's free and I've been using it for 6 months backups now. Can backup while doing other things and make a CD for restore when hard drive crashes.

Hi

Thanks, I will take a look.
Can you do a complete hard drive backup onto DVDs with this program?
Best Wishes, aliens

Not sure, I use a portable hard drive, best try it, it's free.