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Thread ID: 65943 2006-02-05 21:01:00 Restoring from a backup Greg (193) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
427461 2006-02-05 21:01:00 I backup my vital data each week or so, but I'm wondering what happens if I ever need to recall a backup of my entire system. I do an entire system backup more or less monthly. I use Windows Backup, and backup to a seperate disk. So if I have a system and/or harddrive failure, will the backup restore everything to how it was, or is there more to it? (never having had to restore from a backup before)

I also backup my data files by doing a Copy to a seperate disk, so it's not a major worry, but every now and then a bit of paranoia sets in.

Thanks for any insight.
Greg (193)
427462 2006-02-05 21:22:00 It all depends on what the backup does exactly.
For complete restore back to how the entire partition/drive was - Ghost.
pctek (84)
427463 2006-02-05 21:28:00 'windows' backup only backups particular files etc........in the event that yoru harddrive corrupted or died you would still haev to reinstall the operating system on your new drive.........a better backup would be 'norton ghost' or similar which backsup the ENTIRE system by making an 'image' of the drives contents....... drcspy (146)
427464 2006-02-05 21:36:00 Thanks both. I kinda knew Ghost was gonna be mentioned, but I was thinking that my Copy procedure and Windows Backup would be adequate. Greg (193)
427465 2006-02-05 21:41:00 well it's certainly better than nothign but it wont back up boot files or installed programs or the registry or ........etc etc etc ... drcspy (146)
427466 2006-02-06 05:58:00 I have been keeping an eye on similar threads and when I can get organised (and perhaps confident enough) I am going to get an external drive and "Acronis". Have done a lot of reading both in this forum and on the web and although Ghost seems to be slightly easier for a newbie (like me) Acronis seems more reliable these days !!!
Misty :thumbs:
Misty (368)
427467 2006-02-06 21:35:00 You're backin' up, and for that you should be commended.

For home and small office, Retrospect is considered a little more "professional" than Windows backup. I use Ghost to back up a single PC, otherwise enterprise class products.

Not to slight Acronis True Image, but Ghost has been around forever. The only time I've heard a difference was True Image seems to support non-Windows encrypted partitions slightly better.

I don't think either is friendly to newbies, but maybe it's the "full blown" versions I've used.

www.acronis.com
http://www.ghost.com/
www.emcinsignia.com
kingdragonfly (309)
427468 2006-02-07 00:21:00 If you have never restored from one of your backups you haven't got a backup. Do you know if the backup files can be read? Graham L (2)
427469 2006-02-08 05:56:00 'windows' backup only backups particular files etc........in the event that yoru harddrive corrupted or died you would still haev to reinstall the operating system on your new drive.........a better backup would be 'norton ghost' or similar which backsup the ENTIRE system by making an 'image' of the drives contents.......

Actualy windows backup will backup everything, but the boot sector.

Only pain is you need to re-install to restore the backup, or maybe not... i.e. BartPE.

I have done several "restores" with windows backup and have had no major problems. Only trick is to ensure you tick everyhting for the restore.
ughnz (8297)
427470 2006-02-08 06:01:00 I cannot recommend Acronis True Image enough. I have used Ghost in an IT Dept since its 1st release however it has slipped slightly the last few years.
Acronis True Image has more features ie:, bootable cd with Acronis menu to allow browsing to the directory/partition holding the image, re-install in 5 minutes flat.
SolMiester (139)
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