Win XP Backup software

[georgeg]

I know this question comes up from time to time and Yes, I have searched the archives here, but once again, what software do you recommend for backing up your hard drive in Win XP Pro? I just had to do a re-install to fix a problem and restoring a backup would have been simpler (in theory, at least.)

[CDRecorder]

If you want to back up or restore an entire partition or an entire drive, you might want to try Norton Ghost. I've used it before to restore a partition, and it's great!

[CowboySlim]

I agree with the above.

Also, there is Drive Image by Powerquest that does the same thing as Ghost in the same fashion with one exception. You can run Drive Image from GUIs as opposed to DOS command line entries and their associated archaic symbology.

[georgeg]

If you want to back up or restore an entire partition or an entire drive, you might want to try Norton Ghost. I've used it before to restore a partition, and it's great!

I hadn't thought of Ghost. I've got Norton SystemWorks 2003 which I'm pretty sure includes Ghost. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks. (I bought Norton for the Utilities and didn't install Ghost!)

[georgeg]

If you want to back up or restore an entire partition or an entire drive, you might want to try Norton Ghost. I've used it before to restore a partition, and it's great!

I hadn't thought of Ghost. I've got Norton SystemWorks 2003 which I'm pretty sure includes Ghost. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks. (I bought Norton for the Utilities and didn't install Ghost!)

Well, forget about that. Ghost is included in SystemWorks Professional, not the home version I have so I'm b back to looking at backup software. Maybe Ghost, maybe DriveImage (which I've used before) or maybe something else.

[CDRecorder]

Ghost is included in SystemWorks Professional, not the home version.

Interesting... No wonder I couldn't find Ghost anywhere on my copy of SystemWorks 2002 (probably the home version, as it didn't say "Professional" anywhere on it).

[georgeg]

Ghost is included in SystemWorks Professional, not the home version.

Interesting... No wonder I couldn't find Ghost anywhere on my copy of SystemWorks 2002 (probably the home version, as it didn't say "Professional" anywhere on it).

This web page says Ghost is included in the OEM version of Systemworks 2003

http://www.antivirusovernight.com/Merch ... ortonghost

It sure isn't in mine.

[CDRecorder]

My copy of SystemWorks is retail; maybe Ghost doesn't come with the retail version.

[tazdevl]

I agree with the above.

Also, there is Drive Image by Powerquest that does the same thing as Ghost in the same fashion with one exception. You can run Drive Image from GUIs as opposed to DOS command line entries and their associated archaic symbology.

The other benefit of DI 7.0 (BTW been updated to 7.01) is that it has support for restoring an image to a SATA RAID array on a Intel ICH5R Southbridge, something it's competitors can't.

Norton and Acronis can back it up, but can't restore.

[CowboySlim]

Norton and Acronis can back it up, but can't restore.

Perfect!

[georgeg]

My copy of SystemWorks is retail; maybe Ghost doesn't come with the retail version.

Apparently it has to be SystemWorks Professional to have Ghost included in it. Btw, if you do a search on eBay you can buy SystemWorks 2003 Professional for under $10.00. Its just a cd, no retail box but they claim its the real thing, not a copy. Since the current version that Norton is selling is 2004, I assume these disks are some sort of clearance.

[CDRecorder]

I see. Thanks for clarifying that!

[georgeg]

I also looked at a program called BackUpMyPC. Looks decent but their plan to recover from a major system failure (where you can't get windows to load successfully) involves doing a complete format and reinstall of Windows from the original Windows install disk with their recovery data tagged on at the end of the install. If you have any problems installing windows, you've just added a bunch of time to the amount required to get back up and running. So it looks like I'm going to give Ghost a serious try. It runs in DOS which in this case is an advantage, I think. And its available for a MUCH cheaper price than any of the alternatives I've found. We'll see how it works out.

[CowboySlim]

It runs in DOS which in this case is an advantage, I think. And its available for a MUCH cheaper price than any of the alternatives I've found. We'll see how it works out.

I agree, if one is fluent in DOS. However, I am not; therefore, I prefer Drive Image. It works the same as Ghost by performing a direct restore without a preceeding lengthy OS re-install. For disaster recovery and restore, it works like Ghost in that you boot into it with floppies (that it generates as a prior execution) and it runs in DOS. However, it doesn't require archaic and cryptic, command line DOS commands. It presents the user with GUI screens that are mouseable (PS2).

[CDRecorder]

Does Drive Image work with USB mice, too?

Despite the fact that I don't have a copy of Ghost, I have used Ghost before (on someone else's machine). I used Ghost 6 and 2002, and they look like they were meant to be used with a mouse (GUI, command buttons, menus, etc), but I had to use the keyboard because I didn't have a mouse driver installed on one of the boot disk, and the driver on the other boot disk didn't recognize the USB mouse.

[CowboySlim]

Oh-oh, I forgot that part. No. However, you can navigate the GUI by tabs, arrows, alt _key, all the standard keyboard stuff. I went down to a local store that does repairs and got a PS2 mouse from their box of old ones. $1, no MIR!

Oh-oh, almost did it again. I have PS2 keyboard, USB KB probably won't work either.

[CDRecorder]

You could probably get a USB keyboard to work. On my computers, I can change a setting in the BIOS which allows the BIOS to manage USB keyboards instead of the OS. I think that this would allow the USB keyboard to work for everything, even DOS. I would guess that other computers have similar settings as well.

[CowboySlim]

Thanks, CDRecoder, I'll check my BIOS. PartitionMagic is made by the same company as Drive Image and it also can be run from floppies in DOS modem which I prefer. Then I can see if that store has any used USB KBs. They sell used KBs for $2.

Oh-oh, maybe not. All four USBs in back used: APC UPS, MS IntelliMouse, scanner, printer.

[georgeg]

.

Oh-oh, maybe not. All four USBs in back used: APC UPS, MS IntelliMouse, scanner, printer.

Maybe its time for a powered hub which would let you move the scanner and printer off the back of the PC at least. I only have two USB ports on the back of my antique so I use a hub for the printer and scanner and haven't had any problems with them. I do plug them into the back of the 'puter when doing the initial setup but a USB extension cord has taken the pain out of that.

[CowboySlim]

Maybe its time for a powered hub which would let you move the scanner and printer off the back of the PC at least. I only have two USB ports on the back of my antique so I use a hub for the printer and scanner and haven't had any problems with them. I do plug them into the back of the 'puter when doing the initial setup but a USB extension cord has taken the pain out of that.

There is always just one more gizmo to buy. Yesterday I received a 256MB CF card from Amazon for my camera. Friend and I are going up to Utah in a month to photograph a cattle drive. Not a good time and place to dash of to Wal*Mart for another card.

Oh well, check on the $2 KBs tonight, it is right next to a take out place that I go to Friday nights. Then off to Fry's for a powered hub.