EMC Retrospect Express HD Data backup software - half price!

[Zepper]

Cost is $24.99. EMC Retrospect is considered one of the top handful of file-by-file data backup programs. FBF is considered the more secure backup method, drive imaging isn't. With FBF you can restore any amount of data from one file to the whole drive - with imaging, usually the latter option is the only one available. The limitation of this Express HD version is that it will only backup to another Hard Disk (can be USB, FW, eSATA, on a network, etc.) whereas the full version will backup to HD, many tape formats, optical media, etc. You can download and/or get it on CD (may require a shipping charge).

Here is the Linkage

The offer is good thru 8/31/2007. Looks like the offer page is still viable (afternoon of 9/1), so give it a shot even though the date is passed.

Enjoy.

.bh.

 

[Wedge1]

How does this compare to other popular drive imaging software, such as Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost? Are we talking a different league altogether, or just subtle differences between them? Does it feature much higher reliability than Acronis or Norton?

 

[Zepper]

You're talking drive imaging software while Retrospect is primarily FBF. Often with imaging software, if the image file becomes corrupt in a spot, either everything past the corrupt area will be lost or the whole image may even not be usable. While with FBF backup programs only the file or files in the corrupt areas are lost. That's why FBF is considered more secure. I use both image and Retrospect for the best combo of speed and security.

.bh.

 

[RideFree]

Text v2.0 FAR

Installs in minutes
Protects your Windows PC with unparalleled accuracy
Simplifies backup and restore with step-by-step wizard
Stores your backups on a local or networked hard drive
Backs up everything-files, applications, drivers, and your settings-or just critical files. You decide.
Schedules automatic backups or protects files immediately with the click of a button
Avoids long weekly full backups by capturing just new or changed data - forever
Restores a single file or an entire PC to a prior point in time
Keeps just the most current version or all past versions of your data
Backs up files in use, including Microsoft Outlook files
Removes outdated backups automatically to free disk space
Compresses backups to maximize storage
Enables easy backup drive rotation for extra protection


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[Zepper]

Well, for those who don't like messing with rebates, the first offer is still the least out of pocket...

.bh.

 

[bigi]

Robocopy + Task Scheduler = $25 savings

 

[Zepper]

I don't think Robocopy compresses the copied data on the fly. And no syntax to remember with Retro. Good for copying sets of files and/or folders but not so good for backing up.

.bh.

 

[Zepper]

bump

.bh.

 

[Wedge1]

Will this program restore an entire operating system and installed programs? Sorry if i sound like i am repeating myself, but I just want to make sure I understand before I buy.

 

[GhettoFob]

I've had good luck with both the full fledged Retrospect as well as Retrospect Express HD.

 

[Zepper]

According to their disaster restore process, you have to format and partition the drive similar to the way it was, install windows, then run the restore procedure with the "overwrite everything" command. That's why I use both an image and an FBF. I think Novastor's NovaBackup software can do a "bare drive" disaster recovery w/o having to do a separate OS install, but it costs $40.00 and up. If your backup is on a USB drive, you will also have to update at least to SP4 for win 2k and SP2 for XP so that high speed USB 2.0 will be sure to work properly - as well as any other USB drivers for chipset/card/etc. that your system may need. I suggest you keep all those updates and drivers on several copies of CD to be sure you'll have them for restore time.

.bh.

 

[Morro]

Yep, you have to install Windows and the same service packs you had before the disaster. I did a restore once and it worked fine, it just took quite a long time. There are 2 big annoyances though:

1) Version 2.0.214 (the latest) likes to steal focus from active application. Really annoying in 3D games when your game just minimizes every 5 minutes, or your application stops responding to key shortcuts and you notice that it's not active any more. It took me a while to figure out why it happened. EMC has been aware of the issue for at least 6 months and it looks like they are not going to fix it.

2) It doesn't delete old files automatically so if you have one backup hard drive, it will eventually fill it full and you have to clean it yourself. I've just formatted it and run a full backup, but it doesn't look like a safe solution. In Acronis True Image you can set age for archive files so it will delete them automatically. I don't know if it works properly there, but at least there is the option to configure it.