what is the best image software to make a back up of windows 2000 server?

[quique55]

I have tried a search on Google and came across True Image and Norton Ghost Solution Suite all which cost at least 10 times more than the user version. There is also a dos program call clone maxx but this will only create a duplicate of the drive and partition onto a second drive.

I hope this is the best place to put the question. Do I just have to bite the bullet and purchase one of the server editions or has anyone had success using another software? Any advice is appreciated. I really want to create a backup on cds but at this point I am willing to try anything. If it matters the OS partition is only 3.99gb. Thanks in advance.

 

[NumbaJuan]

Acronis, hands down the best imho.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: NumbaJuan
Acronis, hands down the best imho.

 

[quique55]

a lot of people seem to like TI but I dont have $1000 to buy the software. Remember for whatever reason to create and image of an OS drive on a windows 2000/2003 server machine it costs more than to do so on a windows 98/2000/me/xp machine. Just hoping someone found a cheaper alternative to imaging a Windows server box. What about Image for Windows and Image for DOS? Anyone use those?

 

[quique55]

thanks for the input guys. ANyone else care to share their experience.

 

[bsobel]

Not with your topic summary

 

[mikecel79]

What are you trying to accomplish? Maybe we can better help you out if you tell us. Have you thought about using Windows built-in backup software? Why do you need an exact image of the HD?

To me ghosting a server is ridiculous. You have to take the machine down to create a backup of it. I much prefer to do some kind of online backup.

 

[quique55]

all i want to do is create an image of the os partition. That way if I ever botch things up I dont have to redo all the server roles I have configured already. It is not mission critical but just in case. And the server can be down during the weekend which is when I would image the drive.

 

[Slowlearner]

Some of the older Ghost versions work fine with Server OSs. I did that with Ghost 2001 ( Iam not 100% sure) for my Win2000 Server.

 

[dunkster]

Take a look here: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/

I use 'Image for DOS'. Reliable, inexpensive non-bloatware.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: dunkster
Take a look here: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/

I use 'Image for DOS'. Reliable, inexpensive non-bloatware.

Looks nice, and it is reasonably priced at less than $19,.

 

[wlee]

Can Either Arconis or Terabyte Unlimited ( Image for DOS )handle disks larger than 137GB ? I currently have Ghost 2003. I tried to image a 120GB HD to a 200GB HD, but it only saw it as a 137GB, even though the controller saw it correctly in the BIOS.

 

[dunkster]

Regarding whether IFW supports HDs larger than 137GB, I can't really say. My own use is with an 80GB HD, and I only backup two critical partitions.

I suggest you post the question on their forum here: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/webnews.html

I used DOS-based Norton Ghost 2002 for a long time, only switching because I wanted to image to DVD media, and DVD media wasn't supported in that version. I suspect your limitation is similar - that version probably doesn't support the larger drives.

Hope this helps!

 

[dunkster]

Regarding IFW support for large drives, I found the answer. HD size limit is 2TB, partition size limit is 1TB.

Read the specs for BootitNG - they're the same for IFW and IFD.

Hope this helps!

 

[Netopia]

What about G4U?

Joe

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: quique55
all i want to do is create an image of the os partition. That way if I ever botch things up I dont have to redo all the server roles I have configured already. It is not mission critical but just in case. And the server can be down during the weekend which is when I would image the drive.

In that case, why not just clone the server's drive and keep it as a spare ready to go - with a mobile rack it is a simple changeover.

Anyway - that's how I have mine setup - matter of fact, each server has TWO duplicate HDDs and they get recloned weekly. (Using Acronis TrueImage 8 - less that $100.)