This post was originally long, I've redone it to try and make it less of a "long read."
For sometime I've used Acronis System Image Home 2010 for system image backups. That's all I do, I don't do "cloning" or the like. I simply make a system image of the Windows and programs installation because typically the computers I have come with an activated installation of Windows but not with the disc for re-installation in the event i need it (computer becomes corrupted, need a new hard drive). I typically create 2 images--one "out of box" or with nothing more than updating the drivers and Windows service packs etc, and another one after I've installed the software I'm going to use and have the settings (logins etc) where I want them. That's it.
Acronis has always done that for me (I do it by booting to the CD, I don't install it), but a Vista machine I had encountered troubles (was taking 90 minutes and it kept saying the "destination" disk was full even though the installation was 11G and it was a 64G USB flash drive). I used "Drive Snapshot" and it worked fine, and I like how quickly it performed its operation. However, it charges 39 Euros (which is about $45 US dollars I think), and I've read there are free programs that can do this.
I did read 2 articles, one that details 20 various programs (https://www.raymond.cc/blog/10-comm...tures-and-backuprestore-speed-comparison/)and an article (https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-create-full-windows-backup-by-imaging-without-using-norton-ghost/) that spoke of 3 free programs that performed system imaging. It mentioned the free version of Macrium, the WD/Seagate edition of Acronis, and AOMEI Backupper. (I tried AOMEI Backupper and it was easy to use but it seemed to take quite a bit longer than Drive Snapshot did.)
What are your thoughts on any of those 3, or Drive Snapshot? Also, Acronis is also failing on my Windows 8 machine, apparently due to the "Safe Boot" mode or whatever. Would these programs also fall prey to this? Is it an easy fix?
For sometime I've used Acronis System Image Home 2010 for system image backups. That's all I do, I don't do "cloning" or the like. I simply make a system image of the Windows and programs installation because typically the computers I have come with an activated installation of Windows but not with the disc for re-installation in the event i need it (computer becomes corrupted, need a new hard drive). I typically create 2 images--one "out of box" or with nothing more than updating the drivers and Windows service packs etc, and another one after I've installed the software I'm going to use and have the settings (logins etc) where I want them. That's it.
Acronis has always done that for me (I do it by booting to the CD, I don't install it), but a Vista machine I had encountered troubles (was taking 90 minutes and it kept saying the "destination" disk was full even though the installation was 11G and it was a 64G USB flash drive). I used "Drive Snapshot" and it worked fine, and I like how quickly it performed its operation. However, it charges 39 Euros (which is about $45 US dollars I think), and I've read there are free programs that can do this.
I did read 2 articles, one that details 20 various programs (https://www.raymond.cc/blog/10-comm...tures-and-backuprestore-speed-comparison/)and an article (https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-create-full-windows-backup-by-imaging-without-using-norton-ghost/) that spoke of 3 free programs that performed system imaging. It mentioned the free version of Macrium, the WD/Seagate edition of Acronis, and AOMEI Backupper. (I tried AOMEI Backupper and it was easy to use but it seemed to take quite a bit longer than Drive Snapshot did.)
What are your thoughts on any of those 3, or Drive Snapshot? Also, Acronis is also failing on my Windows 8 machine, apparently due to the "Safe Boot" mode or whatever. Would these programs also fall prey to this? Is it an easy fix?
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