Suggestion for a system restore/HDD imaging software

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src2206

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Hello

I have two partitions on my first hard disc- the 1st partition ( C: ) contains the OS (Windows XP Pro SP3) and few of the applications. The other partition ( D: ) mainly contains all the software and My Documents folder.

I have another HDD of 160GB size in which I would like to create a dedicated partition for system recovery in case the OS crashes (which happens unfortunately). As all my applications are situated in another partition, if I can restore the OS partition it will give me back my system in the pre-crash state.

So could you please suggest me a Free software to do this? Which will allow me to take incremental backup. And please suggest how much should be the size of my new partition from where I intend to restore the OS.

Thank you.
 
U can use system restore in XP. Storing back-ups will take hdd space. U didnot mention the size of ur C drive.
 
There are times when system restore will not work, you can't even boot into safe modes...these happens with M$ OS friend :)
 
I cant suggest free app but one of best tried by me umpteen times is Acronis True Image for your requirement. Image size created by it is also significant smaller than actual size of partition. For any further help, PM me.
 
Absolutely right. There are times when even ur backed up OS image will fail to load. So this is what i do and recommend. My C drive is 20GB, i have made an image of a freshly installed XP with all the drivers and saved it in D drive using Norton ghost (Its not the best software for this purpose but its simple and i am just used to it) When in problem i use that image to recover entire OS.
I never save anything in my documents, my music and my pictures folder. I back-up everything from C drive (whatever is needed) before re-installing. Works for me. :)
src2206 said:
There are times when system restore will not work, you can't even boot into safe modes...these happens with M$ OS friend :)
Click to expand...
 
Yes best software for this i've heard.
*Raj* said:
I cant suggest free app but one of best tried by me umpteen times is Acronis True Image for your requirement. Image size created by it is also significant smaller than actual size of partition. For any further help, PM me.
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

I personally use Clonezilla, it's freeware linux based live cd.

OS loads right after restore work like charm.

It will surely serve your perpose. Give it a shot.
 
Awesome. Will try, will it work in XP? :ashamed:
jigarpatel said:
Hi,

I personally use Clonezilla, it's freeware linux based live cd.

OS loads right after restore work like charm.

It will surely serve your perpose. Give it a shot.
Click to expand...

jampack said:
http://www.techenclave.com/applications/get-true-image-free-seagate-maxtor-91417.html

Useful if u have seagate hdd
Click to expand...

Thanks :)
thexfactor said:
You could try Clonezilla or DriveImage XML Backup Software
Click to expand...
 
I came across DiscWizard earlier, but was not much sure whether it can do all the things that are needed.

As you are using it, could you please tell me:

1. whether it creates bootable media so that I can restore the partition in case PC does not boot?

2. Does it support incremental backup?

3. Can I choose a specific partition in the HDD instead of imaging the whole HDD?

Thanks for the info :)
 
OP: Although i save image of my OS, i usually end up formatting whole system (20GB C drive). I use the freeware as much as possible. OS Re-installation takes around 18 mins.
 
Close ur eyes for a sec...Get Acronis True Image and then just schedule it and go to sleep...:P

It does everything from full backup to incremental and at the interval specified without bothering u...And yes u can create a boot disc as ur pendrive or even make a Acronis startup so that in case ur OS doesn't boot, the Acronis startup will help u recover...Even no need of pen drive...:ohyeah:

Its the best out dere...If u try others, believe me u'll end up on this...:ohyeah:
 
Thanks clown_abhi

Well it seems that DiscWizard is missing the Increamental Backup feature which is very important IMHO. Interestingly Acronis True Image installer size is about 88.5MB whereas that of DiscWizard is 127MB. Wondering what extra is packed in that extra 39MB! :S
 
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