Vista - What's the final verdict? Ghost 14 or True Image 2009?

This is for Windows 64bit.. I can't decide which one to get. I go to product reviews on a couple different sites and there seems to be somewhat of a divide with users saying to go with Ghost and vice versa.

I have never used Ghost before. So I can't personally say anything on it from experience. As for True Image, I am 1 for 1 on it. I managed to restore an image without any problems on one computer, but had a corrupted backup image on the other. So I'm not sure what buy now.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Your personal experience should tell you to go with TI2009. It does work with Vista 64

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Free, works, x64 support.. Unless you really need the higher-level backup features that come with spending the money.

I recommend Acronis True Image, because it has more features, better price and it is more compatible with Vista ... you can also make bootable CD.
Acronis True Image Home Vista download - The best backup and recovery solution ever - Windows Vista Downloads

Hi Sabrewulf,

As this is Classic Disaster recovery software and you are likely to be using this in the worst of circumstances, unless a particular package offers distinct advantages, which you need, stick to what you know. The last thing you need in an emergancy is to have to learn how to use the software

Acronis True Image is usually recommended more often than Norton Ghost, however:

Having just tested both, although I found Acronis True Image to work excellent when used from a bootup CD, the product was less than usable when imaging from Windows. Acronis tech support has no answer as to why ALL drives and partitions need to be analyzed *every time* you start the program even if you don't need them and just wish to quickly image one partition. Click after click after click to get the job done, waiting for the drive to be locked as many as three times...


Meanwhile, people despise Symantec but for imaging a partition/OS from Windows, Norton Ghost gets the job done quicker, no waiting for all drives to be analyzed or repeatedly locked.

I have been a Ghost customer for years. I just switched to TI.

On Vista x64 Ghost 14 made incrementals just as large as the original image. This was a well known bug in Ghost for months (of denials by Symantec). A few days ago I upgraded (LiveUpdate) to the latest version on two machines.

One machine: Lost all DVD and CD drives. Audio driver failed. Downgraded to old version (via System Restore).

The other: File system corruption. Instability. Could not produce a backup. Finally got things quiet again and my serial numbers no longer worked.

Just run around after run around from Norton support. Screw them. I'll send my money elsewhere.

Hi All... I'll put my 2 cents in...

I have Vista 64bit and NEITHER Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost 14 would run properly. Both created image files.... neither could find them to restore. Calls, emails, live support on the web produced any results except lots of frustration. Acronis has not responded to my 2 emails. Norton has told me I am missing drivers and to contact my computer vendor (HP). HP says it Acronis' responsibility call them!

In the end I downloaded Macrium Relect and LOOOOVE IT. It creates AND restores !!!! I purchased the software, instead of using the free stuff for 2 reasons. The paid version has more options and I want to be nice and support the people who make it. i.e. I want to keep them working!

Right now I restoring my HP back to it's out of the box state, then to my settings, and installing my other software. All along the way I will be making images in case something goes astray.

So for me, after trying Acronis and Ghost, it's a NO BRAINER...