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#1
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular
backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan |
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#2
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan What I am really looking for is to backup my current system as a full backup including everything on my hard drives. Then perform either an incremental or a differential backup of my entire system so in the event of a complete and total failure, all I have to do is restore from the latest backup and within say, an hour, I'm up and running with a system that I had say about 15 hours earlier. It's that simple. I currently have Norton Ghost 15 for one of my systems but the license is for one system. I'm looking into other solutions at a much lower cost (about ~$70.00/system) BTW, Norton Ghost is NOT what it was back in 2003. IMHO, the only thing that has stayed the same is the name only. ~alan |
#3
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
This is what you're looking for and it's free.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp If you have a Seagate drive, Seagate offers a free program called Disk Wizard that's basically a waterdowned version of Acronic. -- "Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you." "~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... "~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan What I am really looking for is to backup my current system as a full backup including everything on my hard drives. Then perform either an incremental or a differential backup of my entire system so in the event of a complete and total failure, all I have to do is restore from the latest backup and within say, an hour, I'm up and running with a system that I had say about 15 hours earlier. It's that simple. I currently have Norton Ghost 15 for one of my systems but the license is for one system. I'm looking into other solutions at a much lower cost (about ~$70.00/system) BTW, Norton Ghost is NOT what it was back in 2003. IMHO, the only thing that has stayed the same is the name only. ~alan |
#4
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
On 2/22/10, ~~Alan~~ posted:
"~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan What I am really looking for is to backup my current system as a full backup including everything on my hard drives. Then perform either an incremental or a differential backup of my entire system so in the event of a complete and total failure, all I have to do is restore from the latest backup and within say, an hour, I'm up and running with a system that I had say about 15 hours earlier. It's that simple. I currently have Norton Ghost 15 for one of my systems but the license is for one system. I'm looking into other solutions at a much lower cost (about ~$70.00/system) BTW, Norton Ghost is NOT what it was back in 2003. IMHO, the only thing that has stayed the same is the name only. ~alan Macrium Reflect for image backups (compressed proprietary format) and Casper for clone backups (verbatim copy of drive) will do much of what you want. The free version of Macrium will not do incremental backups. Casper sells a fairly cheap four-computer license (called Value Pack), and both are cheaper than Ghost. -- Gene Bloch 650.366.4267 lettersatblochg.com |
#5
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message
... On 2/22/10, ~~Alan~~ posted: "~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan What I am really looking for is to backup my current system as a full backup including everything on my hard drives. Then perform either an incremental or a differential backup of my entire system so in the event of a complete and total failure, all I have to do is restore from the latest backup and within say, an hour, I'm up and running with a system that I had say about 15 hours earlier. It's that simple. I currently have Norton Ghost 15 for one of my systems but the license is for one system. I'm looking into other solutions at a much lower cost (about ~$70.00/system) BTW, Norton Ghost is NOT what it was back in 2003. IMHO, the only thing that has stayed the same is the name only. ~alan Macrium Reflect for image backups (compressed proprietary format) and Casper for clone backups (verbatim copy of drive) will do much of what you want. The free version of Macrium will not do incremental backups. Casper sells a fairly cheap four-computer license (called Value Pack), and both are cheaper than Ghost. For whole drive backup with incremental updates you can also use ImageX.EXE which is free from Microsoft. Has to be done outside of Windows, but it's free. - Boot to PE - For whole system backup (initial backup) imagex /capture C:\ D:\backup.wim "My backup". - Capture differences since last backup imagex /append C:\ D:\backup.wim "Changes" The "capture" command captures an entire drive. The "append" command captures an entire drive, but rather than making a new file it appends it to an existing file, but only different files. Files that already exist in the image and are the same as the current system aren't re-written, just uses pointers. This indexing is how they have multiple versions of the OS on a single DVD but only 1 image file. Each version is an index within the image and the only files contained within each index (other than the first) is just what is different form the first. All files that are common only exist in the 1st index. To restore... See what the latest "index" number is (index gets incremented with each append) - imagex /info will display the information about the various images within the WIM file - prepare drive (clean it, make partition, mark it active, assign a drive letter) - Imagex /apply d:\backup.wim 4 C:\ (assuming latest index is 4) If you need to retrieve/delete/modify files within the image manually... - mkdir C:\MNT - imagex /mountrw d:\backup.wim 4 C:\MNT (assuming index number is 4) Now you can browse the contents of the image by going to C:\MNT. When done, to commit changes... - imagex /unmount /commit C:\MNT |
#6
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
On 2/22/10, Seth posted:
"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message ... On 2/22/10, ~~Alan~~ posted: "~~Alan~~" wrote in message ... I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan What I am really looking for is to backup my current system as a full backup including everything on my hard drives. Then perform either an incremental or a differential backup of my entire system so in the event of a complete and total failure, all I have to do is restore from the latest backup and within say, an hour, I'm up and running with a system that I had say about 15 hours earlier. It's that simple. I currently have Norton Ghost 15 for one of my systems but the license is for one system. I'm looking into other solutions at a much lower cost (about ~$70.00/system) BTW, Norton Ghost is NOT what it was back in 2003. IMHO, the only thing that has stayed the same is the name only. ~alan Macrium Reflect for image backups (compressed proprietary format) and Casper for clone backups (verbatim copy of drive) will do much of what you want. The free version of Macrium will not do incremental backups. Casper sells a fairly cheap four-computer license (called Value Pack), and both are cheaper than Ghost. For whole drive backup with incremental updates you can also use ImageX.EXE which is free from Microsoft. Has to be done outside of Windows, but it's free. - Boot to PE - For whole system backup (initial backup) imagex /capture C:\ D:\backup.wim "My backup". - Capture differences since last backup imagex /append C:\ D:\backup.wim "Changes" The "capture" command captures an entire drive. The "append" command captures an entire drive, but rather than making a new file it appends it to an existing file, but only different files. Files that already exist in the image and are the same as the current system aren't re-written, just uses pointers. This indexing is how they have multiple versions of the OS on a single DVD but only 1 image file. Each version is an index within the image and the only files contained within each index (other than the first) is just what is different form the first. All files that are common only exist in the 1st index. To restore... See what the latest "index" number is (index gets incremented with each append) - imagex /info will display the information about the various images within the WIM file - prepare drive (clean it, make partition, mark it active, assign a drive letter) - Imagex /apply d:\backup.wim 4 C:\ (assuming latest index is 4) If you need to retrieve/delete/modify files within the image manually... - mkdir C:\MNT - imagex /mountrw d:\backup.wim 4 C:\MNT (assuming index number is 4) Now you can browse the contents of the image by going to C:\MNT. When done, to commit changes... - imagex /unmount /commit C:\MNT Never heard of that - thanks for the info and tutorial. Time to do a bit of research... -- Gene Bloch 650.366.4267 lettersatblochg.com |
#7
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message
... On 2/22/10, Seth posted: For whole drive backup with incremental updates you can also use ImageX.EXE which is free from Microsoft. Has to be done outside of Windows, but it's free. - Boot to PE - For whole system backup (initial backup) imagex /capture C:\ D:\backup.wim "My backup". - Capture differences since last backup imagex /append C:\ D:\backup.wim "Changes" The "capture" command captures an entire drive. The "append" command captures an entire drive, but rather than making a new file it appends it to an existing file, but only different files. Files that already exist in the image and are the same as the current system aren't re-written, just uses pointers. This indexing is how they have multiple versions of the OS on a single DVD but only 1 image file. Each version is an index within the image and the only files contained within each index (other than the first) is just what is different form the first. All files that are common only exist in the 1st index. To restore... See what the latest "index" number is (index gets incremented with each append) - imagex /info will display the information about the various images within the WIM file - prepare drive (clean it, make partition, mark it active, assign a drive letter) - Imagex /apply d:\backup.wim 4 C:\ (assuming latest index is 4) If you need to retrieve/delete/modify files within the image manually... - mkdir C:\MNT - imagex /mountrw d:\backup.wim 4 C:\MNT (assuming index number is 4) Now you can browse the contents of the image by going to C:\MNT. When done, to commit changes... - imagex /unmount /commit C:\MNT Never heard of that - thanks for the info and tutorial. Time to do a bit of research... No problem. A little extra, probably not needed info... When doing a "non-destructive, clean build" (as in not formatting the drive, old OS and programs stored in C:\WINDOWS.OLD) what Panther (Panther is the name of the setup program introduced with Vista and part of why they had to move the boot disk to WinPE) does is create WINDOWS.OLD, moves the top level folders to be saved (which is why it happens so fast) and then does the IMAGEX /APPLY right onto the non-reformatted drive. Other folders that may be in the root of C: (like say a \DELL\DRIVERS folder) remain untouched as the ImageX process runs file by file. Unlike say GHOST and other that do a full partition or disk load. MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their deployment tools. Here's the full list of command line options. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend written by a 3rd party called GImageX. ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK. |
#8
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Seth" wrote in message ... MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their deployment tools. Here's the full list of command line options. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend written by a 3rd party called GImageX. ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK. Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk. I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software. |
#9
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Dave-UK" wrote in message news "Seth" wrote in message ... MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their deployment tools. Here's the full list of command line options. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend written by a 3rd party called GImageX. ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK. Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk. I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software. Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair' discs are adequate? -- -- https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/ |
#10
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Ophelia" wrote in message
... "Dave-UK" wrote in message news "Seth" wrote in message ... MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their deployment tools. Here's the full list of command line options. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend written by a 3rd party called GImageX. ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK. Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk. I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software. Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair' discs are adequate? Well adequate and could be better are different. The rebuild disks that come with most systems are more than adequate, but I deploy a lot of machines so very often make custom images so when I setup a new machine or have to re-image a machine most of my post-task work is already done for me. |
#11
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
On 2/21/10 7:19 AM, ~~Alan~~ wrote:
I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1 copy saved offsite. For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here. Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy and a local backup. Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7. Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full system backup. So here are my questions: If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a single restore? Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries on the system? Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop, favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes occur? How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup destination? What does it do? What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet? Thanks, ~alan A lot of good ideas and information. What I am really looking for in a generic sense is just so simple. 1) I do not want to have to shut down my system to perform a backup. 2) I want my first backup to be a full, system backup capable of being able to restore my system in case of an emergency. 3) I want subsequant backups to be either incremental and/or differential backups based on the whole system that can be used in combination with the original full backup to restore my system in case of an emergency 4) I want to be able to restore folders and files either to their original locations or to another location. 5 I want to be able to start all over again with a full based on either my backup media being full or at the start of a period. 6. The whole thing should be automatic. Of course, I'll be obligated to keep an eye on everything. Basically, I believe this is how a data center maintains its backups. It's simple. No real bells and whistles. Thanks, ~alan |
#12
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Ophelia" wrote in message ... "Dave-UK" wrote in message news "Seth" wrote in message ... MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their deployment tools. Here's the full list of command line options. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend written by a 3rd party called GImageX. ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK. Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk. I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software. Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair' discs are adequate? No, they're fine for what they are but I like messing about and as I'm retired and have plenty of spare time I like to play with computers and software. The system repair disk is a bit boring so I like to see if I can add a few tweaks. For instance I would like to add a password editor and registry editor to the repair disk, and other stuff like that. :-) |
#13
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Seth" wrote in message ... Well adequate and could be better are different. The rebuild disks that come with most systems are more than adequate, but I deploy a lot of machines so very often make custom images so when I setup a new machine or have to re-image a machine most of my post-task work is already done for me. Understood! Thanks -- -- https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/ |
#14
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
"Dave-UK" wrote in message ... Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair' discs are adequate? No, they're fine for what they are but I like messing about and as I'm retired and have plenty of spare time I like to play with computers and software. The system repair disk is a bit boring so I like to see if I can add a few tweaks. For instance I would like to add a password editor and registry editor to the repair disk, and other stuff like that. :-) Okie dokie Thanks Hmmmm about that password editor...... -- -- https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/ |
#15
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Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility
On Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:35:56 -0500, ~~Alan~~
wrote: A lot of good ideas and information. What I am really looking for in a generic sense is just so simple. 1) I do not want to have to shut down my system to perform a backup. 2) I want my first backup to be a full, system backup capable of being able to restore my system in case of an emergency. 3) I want subsequant backups to be either incremental and/or differential backups based on the whole system that can be used in combination with the original full backup to restore my system in case of an emergency 4) I want to be able to restore folders and files either to their original locations or to another location. 5 I want to be able to start all over again with a full based on either my backup media being full or at the start of a period. 6. The whole thing should be automatic. Of course, I'll be obligated to keep an eye on everything. Basically, I believe this is how a data center maintains its backups. It's simple. No real bells and whistles. You've described "Acronis TrueImage Home 2010" perfectly. I'm sure there are multiple backup solutions that do a very similar job, but I've been using Acronis for about 4 years and highly recommend it. It does everything you asked for. |
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