XP Pro Raid 0 Backup

[camped69]

Hi All,

I will be doing a core 2 duo build w/E6600 and 2 250G in Raid 0. What is the best way, after intial install and everything is set to preference to make a backup of the drives for reinstall after a os failure. I currently have Acronis True Image 9 but after my 2 year old install finally crashed, the backup images that I made with True Image failed to restore. I have heard that NTFS is finicky when it comes to backups.

thanks

 

[RebateMonger]

The restoration takes a bit longer than with Acronis, but NTBackup, built into XP Professional and installable on XP Home, works REALLY reliably. Let NTBackup make a full backup of your system and store it safely somewhere.

When a restoration is needed, you set up your RAID array, install XP to the same Service Pack level as it was when you made the backup, and then do a restoration of your system following Microsoft's procedures. There are detailed articles on MS's site on how to do a system restoration using NTBackup. It's not quite a simple as Acronis, but it DOES work. I've restored quite a few PCs and Servers that way.

 

[corkyg]

The best way I know is to use your TI 9 and clone the RAID 0 array to a single big drive. No restoration needed that way. If your RAID 0 array fails, then replace it with the single clone.

If it is in the cage, then just connect the cables or power plug and disconnect the array. It should boot and run exactly as your RAID 0 array was on the date it was cloned.

Just curious - why RAID 0?

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

I'm a RAID 0 user too...I'm using NVRAID (Nforce4) for the striping. My suggestion is to use Ghost...that's my favorite for restore...but I have to tell you that when I lose an OS from drive failures, (which is rare for me), I usually just reinstall and start over. The only things I care about losing are my docs and some other files that I usually protect on a different volume. Generally, I feel like I need to reinstall windows about every 18 months or so from scratch to get everything tuned in right again. Over time it feels like windows gets clogged with lots of CRAP (Computer Related Applications and Peripherals) that need to get all cleaned up. It's usually painful at first, but I'm always happy after it gets rebuilt.

I like Ghost, mostly because I'm used to it. It gives an easy way to image backup, image restore, clone, etc. You can mount the image to the system after a fresh install to pull over any of the files that you forgot to protect on a different drive.

That's my take at least. I'm sure you will hear from lots of people that hate RAID 0...but one thing people forget to mention is that if you hit an OS level corruption, partition failure, deadly virus, or other OS level issues, no level of RAID is going to protect your data...and if you can't protect against those things, then you have to backup your system regularly...and if you backup regularly...then why waste disks? Again, this is only my opinion...I'm not protecting corporate data here at home. I have multiple copies of the stuff I care about in lots of different places. I just take a more casual approach to realtime protection of the boot device.

 

[boomerang]

Where you imaging to DVD, a HD or what? TI9 has issues with DVD backup. I've recommended TI many a time, but this DVD situation has got me wondering. I've partipated in their forums and they keep saying they've got it licked in the next release, but it's not. Lots of complaints over there of being beta testers. I have to agree.

Having said all that, I use the product daily to image my SATA RAID 0 to a third IDE drive. I have restored from the image with 100% success. I restore from time to time to yet another SATA HD just to make sure it works.

So I guess what I'm saying is, that restoring from a HD works great, and restoring from a DVD does not work at all. Actually, I can't even create an image onto a DVD.

I started with RAID 0 when I got my first set of Raptors, around 3 years ago I guess. I did it as a learning experience. So far, RAID 0 has been totally trouble-free for me. I back up because I know the potential for bad ju-ju exists.

Edit: Welcome to the forums!

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: boomerang

TI9 has issues with DVD backup.

Supposedly fixed in build 3633. But, I've not tried it - I always go to a duplcate HDD.

 

[camped69]

I hear what your saying about the clean install every 18 mos or so. I like to keep installs running extremely efficient for as long as possible. lol....

As for the TI9 backup that failed it was imaged to DVD. After the OS failure the dvd backup didn't work. Maybe I will reinstall it on this new install and try the latest update. I will backup to an ide hdd this time round. For an install that is say 80-100G in size what size HD should I use. I have a 20G laying around? I noticed the option to compress the backup, should that be done?

Why to go RAID0, figured it was the fastest and stable. RAID1 could be an option. Do you have any other recommendations. I have only researched a RAID0 install.

so much to learn so little time....

thanks for the replies