Modern System Back Up Questions (PC)

[XDelusion]

So I am reading about Acronis True Image, and am wondering if software like this can take a system installation, make an image of it, and copy it to another drive of the same size, but different model?

I need to transfer someone's entire system and would rather avoid formatting, installing Win 8, then trying to install everything and configure it how it was.

http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup/

[curtis]

Been there done that.

You can use same size drive or transfer to a larger drive with no problems.

IF you have enough space, you can also go to a smaller drive, but why would you?

M. Curtis McCain

[amiman99]

I used Seagate Diskwizard, I think it's free with Seagate drive purchase and only works with Seagate/Maxtor drives and it's powered by Acronis.

[zipper]

Done it with Easeus Free http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm?ref=epmf a couple of times (HD to SSD) - very easy.

[vince_6]

Yes it does a good job.
If you decide to use it make a bootable cd from it and uninstall it.
A dll causes problems :-/

[Duce]

Yes, works just fine for disk imaging.

Personally I use CloneZilla, but I've used Acronis and Nero Backup just fine for disk imaging as well, with good results.  CloneZilla isn't the prettiest girl at the dance when it comes to interface, but it's powerful.

Most of the time these days I just use Shadow Copy to my FreeNAS box, though.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I work in IT imaging computers and managing servers all day.  I'm considering Acronis as an alternative to Backup Exec for some of my servers, but for the regular desktop PC's (running Windows 7 64-bit Pro), honestly I just use the standard built-in imaging tools.  Start -> All Programs -> Maintenance -> Backup and Restore, then select the option to create a system image.
 
 I keep a standard image that I've tweaked to work on every PC in the office on a local NAS, but you can also create an image to DVD or external hard drive.  Then when we have a new hire I just pull a blank PC off the shelf, boot off a Windows DVD, and select the options to Repair computer -> From backup image, and select the correct image on my NAS.  Only takes about 30 minutes, plus a little additional customization time for the individual user account, email address, etc.
 
 I really, really hate loading any more junk onto a computer than it absolutely needs, the built-in tools work fine!  Only time you might have a problem is if switching to a smaller hard drive than what the image was created for, but this can be worked around by shrinking the partition prior to creating the updated image.
 
 Good luck!  

[XDelusion]

EDIT: nevermind, found it.

[lionstorm]

I always wonder how you get the system back : you have plenty of backup softwares but how to you get your thing back ? I mean, those backup softwares dont come on CD and have to be installed in your system BUT since you are making a backup lets say on another spare HD, then formatting the old HD, how to you get the backed up data back to the old formatted one without having to install a bare system ?

[Duce]

Any of the decent image based backup software offers a bootable CD/USB key recovery option.

In fact, ones like CloneZilla, it's really the only option.  Boot off the CD/USB stick into clonezilla, point it at the disk image you want to work with and go from there.  It doesn't install locally at all*.

* - There is a DRBL version of CloneZilla server available for large cloning operations, but not used much on the consumer end at all.

[XDelusion]

Hmm, according to one of my clients, Acronis failed to copy her libraires in Windows 8.