Poll on Backup software

callisto · May 10, 2023

Macrium home for years, never failed a restore (probably more than 100), and Veeam Agent free as a backup to Macrium (my peace of mind although I cannot imagine Macrium failing. There is however another program as reliable as Reflect which I used 15 years ago, but it was/is even more expensive namely StorageCraft ShadowProtect (about $100 for a home license).

cereberus · May 10, 2023

Is there a plant based image tool for vegans?

Fabler2 · May 11, 2023

cereberus said:
Is there a plant based image tool for vegans?

Yes there is. It's called Dandelion & Backup.

Stigg · May 11, 2023

callisto said:
Macrium home for years, never failed a restore (probably more than 100), and Veeam Agent free as a backup to Macrium (my peace of mind although I cannot imagine Macrium failing. There is however another program as reliable as Reflect which I used 15 years ago, but it was/is even more expensive namely StorageCraft ShadowProtect (about $100 for a home license).

Welcome to the forum, callisto.
Yes, Macrium Reflect is very reliable. You'll find a lot of users on here.

callisto · May 12, 2023

Stigg said:
Welcome to the forum, callisto.
Yes, Macrium Reflect is very reliable. You'll find a lot of users on here.

Thank you Stigg! It is definitely a nice feeling being here...

TechnoMage2021 · May 16, 2023

Using Ghost for 45 years! It's never failed me, as long as my HD was OK.
Still using it, in it's DOS Ghost 11.5 version, every few days.

It's never cost me a dime, in all these years.

And, it's still available, out there floating around the Cosmos, as an ISO to the Ghost boot disk.

Carey Brown · Jun 5, 2023

Macrium for system backup and Free File Sync for data backup. Recently I wrote my own to mirror 5 drives to one with versioning, without all the folder stuff that FreeFileSync requires. Works beautifully.

jimbo45 · Jun 5, 2023

Bootable GPARTED works well (Free), can copy and resize partitions, does data recovery (or attempts it), can create new partiton GUUID's and has a built in command line. Just download the iso and use rufus or whatever to create bootable medium.

OK Linux based but the GUI is almost identical to any of the current Windows partition managers and again it handles pretty well any file system in existence - not just Windows ones. OK not as fast / convenient as Macrium but those looking for a free backup system after Macrium Free becomes EOL, it's 100% worth a look.

Cheers
jimbo

TechnoMage2021 · Jun 5, 2023

Even after 26 years, Ghost still works just as good as the day I first used it. Whether I'm just backing up a single partition or an entire disk, it just WORKS!
And, it handles the SSD's just as well as the Spinners. And, Windows 11 as well as Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, Vista, etc.
It will also back up a data disk, with no OS on it at all. Or even a disk where the OS has gotten corrupted.

Cheers Mates!
TechnoMage

jro11 · Sep 3, 2023

glockster said:
I only do file backups and for that I use Robocopy. I figure if I get to the point where I need to restore OS and programs, it's probably a good time for a format & reinstall with current versions.

After having been taught by this forum how to do Robocopy, I'm inclined to follow your path. That is if I know I can copy nested folders / files / shortcuts as well.
If you need to restore OS or programs neither Robocopy nor Backups will work. You'll need imaging software. Am I right?

Carey Brown · Sep 3, 2023

jro11 said:
After having been taught by this forum how to do Robocopy, I'm inclined to follow your path. That is if I know I can copy nested folders / files / shortcuts as well.
If you need to restore OS or programs neither Robocopy nor Backups will work. You'll need imaging software. Am I right?

For OS or Programs you need to use imaging software like Macrium Reflect.

SIW2 · Sep 3, 2023

Theoretically you could copy all the os files somewhere, then partition and fomat the target disk and copy them to that, but then you need to make a couple of small adjustments manually. It is a bit fiddly. Whichever of the well known imaging programs you fancy will do it all for you.

JAM83 · Sep 3, 2023

I don't do backups, except for my bookmarks and browser passwords.

Carey Brown · Sep 3, 2023

I'm not aware of any non-imaging software that will backup the hidden boot sector.

Birk · Sep 3, 2023

Does Ghost let you mount a backup file as a logical drive and then copy individual files from it back to your boot drive (or anyplace else?)

jro11 · Sep 3, 2023

Testing...

jro11 · Sep 3, 2023

Macrium seems to be the favorite of many here...

the Free Edition of Macrium Reflect is going to be retired on 1st January 2024, you need to pay for its functions. The cost starts at $70 for a license for each computer to $599 for a Server Plus.

antspants · Sep 3, 2023

jro11 said:
Macrium seems to be the favorite of many here...

the Free Edition of Macrium Reflect is going to be retired on 1st January 2024, you need to pay for its functions. The cost starts at $70 for a license for each computer to $599 for a Server Plus.

Yeah we were talking about that a few pages back..

I left you an answer to your poll question thread. See how you go.

jro11 · Sep 3, 2023

Ghost...
Norton Ghost? Symantec Ghost? only available from Old versions of Windows, Mac and Linux Software, Apps & Abandonware Games - Download at OldVersion.com

jro11 · Sep 3, 2023

Thanks. I decided to drop the Poll idea. Couldn't figure out how to do a checkbox list (that was why I posted the "Testing" above (was looking into the html required) but didn't get back to it in time to delete the word "Testing". Will post a non-poll about 'favorite browsers and why'. (Finally I think I might have something positive to contribute, and not just questions to ask.)