Software to create DVD image of bootdisk

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ZollyMonsta

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#19486 19-Feb-2008 10:16

Hi All,

I'm looking for free (or cheap) software that will create a backup image of a bootdisk onto an internal dvd writer.
Along the lines of Ghost (though I've had problems with Ghost in the past).

The software must support SATA hard disks and DVD Writers.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Grant

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ZollyMonsta

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#113008 25-Feb-2008 18:38

Anyone?

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freitasm

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#113009 25-Feb-2008 18:39

Acronis True Image 11 Home.

I use Acronis on my laptop, and the server versions on my Windows Home Server and on the Geekzone Server.

ZollyMonsta

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#113017 25-Feb-2008 18:57

Looks promising.. Thanks. Best of all it supports SATA :) So does it operate in a similar manner to ghost (rebooting windows and running in DOS to image to DVD?)

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freitasm

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#113019 25-Feb-2008 18:59

No. It will create the image on the fly, using Shadow Copies if needed to.

Also you can determine a schedule and it creates incremental images. It can also create images on another partition on your HDD so if anything happens to your system you can restore it from the other partition.

Many options...

ZollyMonsta

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#113022 25-Feb-2008 19:05

Ahh.. What do you mean by 'shadow' copy?

I see.. I have two partitions (on same drive) so it could store an image file on the other partition.
I assume if need be I could always back up that image file to dvd manually?
Where is the best place to get this software in NZ? (ie: who would you recommend?)

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freitasm

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#113024 25-Feb-2008 19:08

"Shadow Copy" is a feature of Windows that will keep an image of files available to a program while any new changes to those files are recorded to disk.

The software can store directly on DVD, HDD, external drive, network share, etc.

Buy online?

manhinli

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#113025 25-Feb-2008 19:13

The newer versions of Ghost (and the consumer-oriented Save & Restore) no longer require rebooting, and also do shadow copies.

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ZollyMonsta

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#113045 25-Feb-2008 20:36

On a budget here :) Ghost is $99 for one licence. Acronis appears to be $65NZ for one licence.. $130 NZ for two licences.
I guess it comes down to whatever is the best for what I want to do. I want to be able to make an image onto dvd of a 'clean' and working install.. so if windows dies (as it just has.. sadly) I can restore easily by simply loading the dvd into the drive and rebooting.

I've downloaded Acronis trial so will have a play.. Looks like I can order direct off the Acronis website at $65NZ direct off their website it appears to be a lot cheaper than through a reseller ($90 and over)

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ZollyMonsta

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#113062 25-Feb-2008 21:29

Ok Acronis looks good :) Would I be correct in assuming that I could make a 'image' to DVD... store it away, then just have it doing incremental backups? If the incremental is no good I could always resort to restoring the image to the partition (thus avoiding a long-winded reinstall of windows?)

I assume the purchase price is for one licence (one computer)?

Cheers,
Grant

P.S Maybe it's time I looked at getting a network NAS!

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manhinli

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#113063 25-Feb-2008 21:33

ZollyMonsta: P.S Maybe it's time I looked at getting a network NAS!

You really should, as DVDs still are way of in terms of backup space. I don't even think Blu-ray is going to satisfy the need as well.

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#113130 26-Feb-2008 12:08

Norton Ghost 14 was just announced - I only now received the press release and I am going to post on Geekzone later when I get a screenshot.

Norton Ghost 14.0 backs up and restores a user’s entire PC computer system, including all of its data – applications, settings, folders and files – and offers exclusive remote backup management, industry-leading encryption and advanced compression features to ensure everything on the PC system is protected. Using Norton Ghost 14.0, users can quickly recover lost or damaged files and restore from system failures, even if their computer’s operating system does not start.

ZollyMonsta

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#113131 26-Feb-2008 12:30

Someone at work commented that they use Acronis but had problems when restoring a disk image, as Acronis required the same amount of space as the original partition imaged, to restore.

IE: His drive was an 80gb with 43gb of space used. The restore failed due to Acronis requiring 43gb to restore to a 'temp' partition
(less than 43gb was free on the disk). Is this a known problem or did he just do something incorrectly?

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freitasm

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#113132 26-Feb-2008 12:33

Acronis is not used to resize partitions. If you have a 43 GB partition you need at least 43 GB to have it back - otherwise you would risk losing someting, clearly...

After you restore it then you can resize the partition using the tools provided.

It will happily restore to a larger partition of course.

ZollyMonsta

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#113138 26-Feb-2008 12:47

Thanks.. He seemed to think Acronis created a temp partition for restoring the image to the same disk.
I thought that seemed a bit strange as it seems 'backward'... The partition would be wiped clear and the image loaded over top anyway :)

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ZollyMonsta

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#113190 26-Feb-2008 18:12

freitasm:
Norton Ghost 14 was just announced - I only now received the press release and I am going to post on Geekzone later when I get a screenshot.

Excellent.. I look forward to reading your post. :) It may help on my decision making.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."