Backup with Vista Ultimate?? 3

[Kofy]

Hi all, first off thanks in advance for all your input.. What I want to know is what software would you all recomend for backing up a hard drive? I have both internal drives I can use or external via Firewire 400. I also have a Plextor 716a DVD dl burner installed so I could also go that route. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Kofy]

I am probably in the wrong area to ask this question but my search didnt turn anything up.

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Why not use Vista's built in backup utility? Heres some helpful links that will provide information on the capabilities of Vista's backup feature and how to use it.

- Windows Backup and Restore Center

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/backup.mspx

- Back up and restore: frequently asked questions

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Wi...d150-fe33-41a0-b7f6-233d7fe4460a1033.mspx#EYD

- Back up your files

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/699ce30c-13f1-46ec-9684-e84bf4109dd81033.mspx

- Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center - Windows Tips

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/windows/vista_backup.html

- Schedule an Automatic Backup

http://www.vistaclues.com/schedule-an-automatic-backup/

Joey
CCNA, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[smah]

Vista's built in backup works well if you have it (not all versions do & some have limited functionality).

 

[smah]

I missed the 'ultimate' part. You have the full backup and imaging suite. I suggest that you use the 'entire computer' imaging to make dvd images, then use the automatic backup periodically from there.

 

[Kofy]

Thanks guys, I just ran it and it seemed to do exactly what I wanted it to do. I was going to spend money I can ill afford to buying some type of backup strategy and now I dont have to!

 

[wolluf]

Personally I use Acronis True Image - the Vista backup feature still doesn't seem to have the 'fine tuning' features that I need - eg, make a backup of a complete disk with Acronis and you can mount that image so you've got complete access to any file/folder as well as the whole thing. Similarly, you can backup files/folder you want to - rather than just 'types of files' - and again restore (a selection of) them to another location. I haven't really 'played' with vista backup - because it doesn't seem to do what I want - and Acronis does (not free, but not expensive for the 'home' version, which has all I need).

 

[Kofy]

wolluf, I wish I had read your post sooner, I have acronis, and completely forgot I had it, used the Vista backup wizard, ran fine, but when I went to do a restore, it refused to see the drive/file I had did the backup onto.

 

[wolluf]

If you do use True Image, it will need to be at least version 10 to work with vista.

 

[Kofy]

Right, thanks again to you all for your input. I've learned once again to never trust Microsoft's "extras" they include. 3rd party beats em every time on secondary applications.

 

[smah]

While I agree that True Image is a great product, I have used (and successfully restored from) Vista's built-in imaging. I'm curious to find out why "it refused to see the drive/file I had did the backup onto". Was this a USB hard drive, a seperate internal hard drive, or a dvd drive?

 

[Kofy]

no, it was a sata drive hooked into a sata channel directly on the motherboard. No idea why.. tried safe mode, tried from the DVD, tried everything, it said it wasnt a valid file etc. ah well.. did I wipe/reinstall and still fiddling with things, but once I get it the way I want it, I am burning a DVD image, and making a backup, then testing them both. Once burned, thrice shy.
Rich