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Thread ID: 129798	2013-03-14 01:23:00	Easy backup software - free or paid	wratterus (105)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1332633	2013-03-14 05:17:00	Storagecraft recommends that your page file is set to a fixed size at twice the size of the amount of RAM and if possible put it on a separate partition that isn't backed up. You don't actually need the system partition (100MB or 350MB) as part of the backup as ShadowProtect can make the main system partition bootable when doing a restore.When doing the restore SP will do what it needs to the main system partition to make it bootable. This where I have had all the failures. I'll try to explain: When you make an image with Shadow Protect you have the option to image both the hidden and the working partitions. When you want to image it back it will only allow you to put back one partition. So obviously you wouldn't put back only the 100 /350MB partition you would put back the one where the OS actually is. When doing that way, even after carefully tickling all the right boxes to allow it to boot, it still wont. so you have to fix that problem. One way I have found is to create separate partitions manually fist, then put back each one at a time, basically having to do twice the work. I have also seen problems when a drive has more than one partition, if the drive original has 4 partitions for example you cant put all 4 back at once, you have to manually partition the drive and lay each one down, so doing the job 4 times. The Shadow protect wont allow you to select more than one partition at a time during recovery. Thats another reason I use Active@, doesn't matter if you have 1 or any other number of partitions, it allows you to put them all back in one go, and you can resize to suit if you wanted. In case anyones wondering why 4 partitions for example its when someone increases the drive size, or replaces the whole drive.	wainuitech (129)
1332634	2013-03-14 05:27:00	I use active@ because win7 home pre doesn't image over a network, I also use the bootable flash drive version too	gary67 (56)
1332635	2013-03-14 09:22:00	This where I have had all the failures. I'll try to explain: When you make an image with Shadow Protect you have the option to image both the hidden and the working partitions. When you want to image it back it will only allow you to put back one partition. So obviously you wouldn't put back only the 100 /350MB partition you would put back the one where the OS actually is. When doing that way, even after carefully tickling all the right boxes to allow it to boot, it still wont. so you have to fix that problem. One way I have found is to create separate partitions manually fist, then put back each one at a time, basically having to do twice the work. I have also seen problems when a drive has more than one partition, if the drive original has 4 partitions for example you cant put all 4 back at once, you have to manually partition the drive and lay each one down, so doing the job 4 times. The Shadow protect wont allow you to select more than one partition at a time during recovery. Thats another reason I use Active@, doesn't matter if you have 1 or any other number of partitions, it allows you to put them all back in one go, and you can resize to suit if you wanted. In case anyones wondering why 4 partitions for example its when someone increases the drive size, or replaces the whole drive. Thats probably the one thing that SP could do better us the partitioning when doing a restore. I've been using it for years now so it's not a problem but it's the one part that my other tech has problems with sometimes. We don't have any issues restoring 3 or more partitions, even recovery partitions from the big brand machines.	CYaBro (73)
1332636	2013-03-14 09:37:00	I've been using it for years now so it's not a problem but it's the one part that my other tech has problems with sometimes. We don't have any issues restoring 3 or more partitions, even recovery partitions from the big brand machines. Okay, serious question -- if you have several partitions, and SP only allows you to select one, how do you put them all back in one go ? I've done a lot of looking in their forums and there is no real answer. By those comments quoted -- wouldn't it be in your best interest to teach your own staff how to do the job correctly ? or is it some sort of secret ?	wainuitech (129)
1332637	2013-03-14 09:49:00	You can only restore one partition backup image at a time but you can queue them up so they restore one after the other. When you select the backup image you want to restore you'll see an image of the original layout of the hard drive you took the images from so you can see what order they were in. You just need to restore them in the correct order. Once you get to the screen where it asks where you want to restore to you can right click on the new hdd and create a partition and it gives you a few options. Usually you would select to create an exact partition at the beginning of the free space. This will create a partition the exact same size as the image you are wanting to restore. Set that one going and do the next one and so on.	CYaBro (73)
1332638	2013-03-14 18:42:00	Yea, I agree on multiple partition restoring, that is one thing that they could improve on. Another thing which is a must IMO is using Image Manager to manage the backups, especially if you're taking 15min incrementals throughout the day. Image Manager will verify each image and the chain and will alert you if there is an issue. If there is a problem there is all sorts of command line tools which can help you get to the bottom of it. Also as someone else said, their support is pretty decent.	WarNox (8772)
1332639	2013-03-14 20:04:00	Thanks for the explanation CYaBro. :thumbs: Tried it again this morning, to quote Warnox I agree on multiple partition restoring, that is one thing that they could improve on. They make it overly complicated, it needs a HUGE improvement. I did a back to back test with Active@disk and Shadow protect. Each had its own sysprepped image on a server. The image on Shadow protect was a working previously install , then sysprepped, and then imaged to the server. The Active@ was a pre existing sysprepped image. Both had the same programs,Updates, basically Windows & office 2010. I fired up Shadow protect first and following the above instructions, it was laying back the image. Then went to another PC and ran the image back using Active@. Active@ had finished and was already booting waiting for me to enter in details for a new install (product key etc) by the time Shadow protect had finished. With Shadow protect I still had to run the Windows repair CD to fix the boot loader, the Active @ install was sitting there at the desktop. The picture below shows what the problem was with Shadow Protect. It was taken last night when doing another test, but this mornings test was the exact same problem even after ticking all the boxes. Running W7 Recovery CD Cause: 4856 Just had a look at the price for the IT version :eek: -- Are they damn well kidding, not to sure if thats US or NZ dollars, but sorry $3520.00 per year -- they can keep it thanks. I'm not paying that for software that doesn't work properly.	wainuitech (129)
1332640	2013-03-14 20:08:00	Strange, I've never had my server not boot after a restore to same hardware. Can you look through the document below and let me know if you selected all the same options? Just ignore the parts about HIR. www.storagecraft.com tore_hir.pdf	WarNox (8772)
1332641	2013-03-14 20:10:00	Wainui your second image failed	gary67 (56)
1332642	2013-03-14 20:19:00	Strange, I've never had my server not boot after a restore to same hardware. Can you look through the document below and let me know if you selected all the same options? Just ignore the parts about HIR. www.storagecraft.com tore_hir.pdf Yes Warnox, as far as I can see they were the same. Once I fixed the boot loader with the Windows 7 Repair CD it ran fine (shadow protect) GARY --- Active@ booted correctly every time no problems. off to do a job - catch ya's later :)	wainuitech (129)
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