Looking For System Backup / Imaging Software Recommendations (Vista)

[michaeltee]

Hi,

I have a new Vista x64 (64 bit) machine and I'm looking for recommendations for a good backup/imaging program that I can use to boot and restore my system. I don't need anything with a lot of whistles and bells. Something that's easy to use and dependable would be ideal. Any suggestions would be appreciated

TIA,
-Mike

 

[Oily]

Try Acronis True Image....best software for making image of drives i have found.

 

[jdean]

Casper XP is simple and easy to use. It does imaging and it does it well. I haven't tried the Win64 version but I've been pleased with the Win32 version.

 

[AKAJohnDoe]

I tried Acronis, but it would not work with my SATA and USB scenario. You should try it though, it is purportedly reliable. I went with Paragon Drive Backup, which does restore. I am running V8.51, an V9 is now out, as well as a freebie version that I have not tried.

Whatever you do end up using, be certain to test the restore. Unless you can restore, your backups are write-only data.

 

[jdean]

I would have also recommended Acronis TrueImage but didn't for two reasons:
1 - it does a zillion different things and is more confusing than it should be
2 - based on the Acronis Web site, it doesn't sound like TrueImage runs on 64 bit Vista (I could be wrong about this)

Other than that, it's a good program (I use it as well as Casper XP) and can be had at a bargain price if you download it from a (legitimate) vendor like NewEgg.

 

[jdean]

I tried Acronis, but it would not work with my SATA and USB scenario.

TrueImage works fine for my SATA and USB drives. I'm using version 10; are you using an older version?

 

[michaeltee]

Thanks very much for the suggestions! Several years ago I used Acronis on my XP machine. Definitely a solid app but I found it to be a bit over-complicated. When the need for a system restore rears it's ugly head I tend to panic.For me, "simple" is better for utilities of this type. I went with Casper and will be testing it as soon as my first backup finishes.

 

[AKAJohnDoe]

TrueImage works fine for my SATA and USB drives. I'm using version 10; are you using an older version?

I am not using ATI at all anymore, since it would not restore for me. I tried ATI 11. No need to figure out why as I am using PDB now successfully.