Vista - Backup Sofware Suggestions

**SIW2** · 06-23-2009

Hi James,

You may like to try Macrium Reflect. It is very small and fast and I have always found it totally reliable.

There is free version that makes drive or partition backups, it allows scheduling and mounting of the image to retrieve individual files. You can also run off a boot disc from within the program:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Hope it helps

SIW2

Quote: Originally Posted by Dave

Vista Home Basic does NOT include the Complete Backup program that will make
an image of your complete drive. It only includes the file backup program.

If you have Vista Business or Ultimate, then you can use Complete Backup to
make an image backup to another drive, partition or DVDs.
Then you can create a bootable repair CD/DVD (or use the Vista installation
DVD), which will allow you to restore the backup.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...es/backup.aspx

If you don't have Vista Business or Ultimate, then you have to use another
backup program like Acronis True Image.

--
Windows 7 RC
Mail - Windows Live
Mail - Windows Live

"JamesJ" <jjy@xxxxxx_roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:ujVDglE9JHA.3544@xxxxxx

Quote:

> I couldn't find complete backups only backups for personal files.
> My goal is to format my hard drive and install Vista Basic. And once
> it's installed with all updates I want to create a backup of my entire
> drive. I guess they
> refer to it as an image. In order to restore this image one needs to have
> a boot disc with
> the software that was used to create the image?
>
> James
>
> "Dave" <Dave@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:uDKTLBE9JHA.288@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> sheesh....
>>
>> But not ALL versions of Vista contain Complete Backup...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Windows 7 RC
>> Mail - Windows Live
>> Mail - Windows Live
>>
>> "Dave" <Dave@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:#TXotuD9JHA.1380@xxxxxx

>

06-23-2009

"Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:#hR1zJD9JHA.1336@xxxxxx

Quote:

>
> "JamesJ" <jjy@xxxxxx_roadrunner.com> wrote:

Quote:

>> on good image and backup software.

> My suggest are the onboard tools (Backup and Complete backup) of Vista.
> Sure, the Arconis tool offers more functions, but who needs all that
> stuff.
>
> The complete backup (image) creates a full image, the next backups are
> incremental on block level.
>

Yes, and if prior un-joined up thinking of MS is anything to go by, Windows
7 and subsequent versions will have a DIFFERENT backup program that won't
read Vista Backup files. (vide W98 to Win XP to Win Vista....)
At least Acronis will read it's own backups...

**pacinitaly** · 06-24-2009

read post#6

Backup Sofware Suggestions

06-24-2009

Hi Gorden,

the Image file (from Complete PC Backup) is a *.vhd file virtual harddisk
file.
You can mount it on vista (with tricks) or in Windows 7 with onboard tools,
or boot it as virtual machine.

The files from the Vista Backup Utility are simple *.zip files. If you want
you can open it everywhere, no need for the backup utility. With the backup
utility it is only much more comfortable.

Do you have a reference that Windows 7 backup and image tools are not
compatible with Vista?
But as I said you can always open the files.

Back to James problem. If you (James) need an alternative tool I recommend
Acronis too.

06-25-2009

"Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eC72j4Q9JHA.1488@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Hi Gorden,
>
> the Image file (from Complete PC Backup) is a *.vhd file virtual harddisk
> file.
> You can mount it on vista (with tricks) or in Windows 7 with onboard
> tools, or boot it as virtual machine.

But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible with
each version of Windows backup?

Quote:

> The files from the Vista Backup Utility are simple *.zip files. If you
> want you can open it everywhere, no need for the backup utility. With the
> backup utility it is only much more comfortable.
>
> Do you have a reference that Windows 7 backup and image tools are not
> compatible with Vista?

No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP
backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance!

06-25-2009

"Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx> wrote :>

Quote:

> But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible
> with each version of Windows backup?

You don't need to, it's only an alternative way to access the files. Or for
test purposes.

Quote:

> No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP
> backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance!

I don't think so. The NT backup utility was introduced with NT! With Vista
it was time for a new method.
From NT to XP and Server 2003 there was no change.
You can restore the XP Backup in Vista (Seven) with the Windows NT Backup -
Restore Utility from the Microsoft Download Center.

06-25-2009

"Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:udSTBVW9JHA.4204@xxxxxx

Quote:

>
> "Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx> wrote :>
>

Quote:

>> But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible
>> with each version of Windows backup?

> You don't need to, it's only an alternative way to access the files. Or
> for test purposes.
>
>

Quote:

>> No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP
>> backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance!

> I don't think so. The NT backup utility was introduced with NT! With Vista
> it was time for a new method.
> From NT to XP and Server 2003 there was no change.
> You can restore the XP Backup in Vista (Seven) with the Windows NT
> Backup - Restore Utility from the Microsoft Download Center.
>
>

Yes all that is all very well. We are talking here about ordinary computer
users.
There were LOTS of posts in the XP forums along the line of "I used Backup
in W98 to backup my data, bought a new machine with XP, now the XP backup
won't restore my backed-up files". Ditto in the Vista groups the same.
THAT'S what I am talking about. The average user doesn't KNOW what vhd files
are, or that the backup files are zip files. They EXPECT that if they make a
backup in one version of Windows, they can restore in another version, and
that plainly has NOT happened in the past.

06-25-2009

"Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx>:

Quote:

> Yes all that is all very well. We are talking here about ordinary computer
> users.

Ok, now I understand. From this point of view I agree, but it is not easy to
fulfill all the needs from the
ordinary to professional user.

06-23-2009	#11 (permalink)
SIW2 VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86 2,301 posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions Hi James, You may like to try Macrium Reflect. It is very small and fast and I have always found it totally reliable. There is free version that makes drive or partition backups, it allows scheduling and mounting of the image to retrieve individual files. You can also run off a boot disc from within the program: Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download Hope it helps SIW2 Quote: Originally Posted by Dave Vista Home Basic does NOT include the Complete Backup program that will make an image of your complete drive. It only includes the file backup program. If you have Vista Business or Ultimate, then you can use Complete Backup to make an image backup to another drive, partition or DVDs. Then you can create a bootable repair CD/DVD (or use the Vista installation DVD), which will allow you to restore the backup. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...es/backup.aspx If you don't have Vista Business or Ultimate, then you have to use another backup program like Acronis True Image. -- Windows 7 RC Mail - Windows Live Mail - Windows Live "JamesJ" <jjy@xxxxxx_roadrunner.com> wrote in message news:ujVDglE9JHA.3544@xxxxxx Quote: > I couldn't find complete backups only backups for personal files. > My goal is to format my hard drive and install Vista Basic. And once > it's installed with all updates I want to create a backup of my entire > drive. I guess they > refer to it as an image. In order to restore this image one needs to have > a boot disc with > the software that was used to create the image? > > James > > "Dave" <Dave@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:uDKTLBE9JHA.288@xxxxxx Quote: >> sheesh.... >> >> But not ALL versions of Vista contain Complete Backup... >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Windows 7 RC >> Mail - Windows Live >> Mail - Windows Live >> >> "Dave" <Dave@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:#TXotuD9JHA.1380@xxxxxx >
My System Specs

06-23-2009	#12 (permalink)
Gordon n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions "Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:#hR1zJD9JHA.1336@xxxxxx Quote: > > "JamesJ" <jjy@xxxxxx_roadrunner.com> wrote: Quote: >> on good image and backup software. > My suggest are the onboard tools (Backup and Complete backup) of Vista. > Sure, the Arconis tool offers more functions, but who needs all that > stuff. > > The complete backup (image) creates a full image, the next backups are > incremental on block level. > Yes, and if prior un-joined up thinking of MS is anything to go by, Windows 7 and subsequent versions will have a DIFFERENT backup program that won't read Vista Backup files. (vide W98 to Win XP to Win Vista....) At least Acronis will read it's own backups...
My System Specs

06-24-2009	#13 (permalink)
pacinitaly VISTA home prem 32bit SP2 --- XP Pro SP3 32bit 803 posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions read post#6 Backup Sofware Suggestions
My System Specs

06-24-2009	#14 (permalink)
Karim Af Afnel n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions Hi Gorden, the Image file (from Complete PC Backup) is a .vhd file virtual harddisk file. You can mount it on vista (with tricks) or in Windows 7 with onboard tools, or boot it as virtual machine. The files from the Vista Backup Utility are simple .zip files. If you want you can open it everywhere, no need for the backup utility. With the backup utility it is only much more comfortable. Do you have a reference that Windows 7 backup and image tools are not compatible with Vista? But as I said you can always open the files. Back to James problem. If you (James) need an alternative tool I recommend Acronis too.
My System Specs

06-25-2009	#15 (permalink)
Gordon n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions "Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:eC72j4Q9JHA.1488@xxxxxx Quote: > Hi Gorden, > > the Image file (from Complete PC Backup) is a .vhd file virtual harddisk > file. > You can mount it on vista (with tricks) or in Windows 7 with onboard > tools, or boot it as virtual machine. But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible with each version of Windows backup? Quote: > The files from the Vista Backup Utility are simple .zip files. If you > want you can open it everywhere, no need for the backup utility. With the > backup utility it is only much more comfortable. > > Do you have a reference that Windows 7 backup and image tools are not > compatible with Vista? No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance!
My System Specs

06-25-2009	#16 (permalink)
Karim Af Afnel n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions "Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx> wrote :> Quote: > But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible > with each version of Windows backup? You don't need to, it's only an alternative way to access the files. Or for test purposes. Quote: > No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP > backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance! I don't think so. The NT backup utility was introduced with NT! With Vista it was time for a new method. From NT to XP and Server 2003 there was no change. You can restore the XP Backup in Vista (Seven) with the Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility from the Microsoft Download Center.
My System Specs

06-25-2009	#17 (permalink)
Gordon n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions "Karim Af Afnel" <afafnel@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:udSTBVW9JHA.4204@xxxxxx Quote: > > "Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx> wrote :> > Quote: >> But why would you need to if MS made ALL their backup files compatible >> with each version of Windows backup? > You don't need to, it's only an alternative way to access the files. Or > for test purposes. > > Quote: >> No, but going on past experiences (W98 backup not readable with XP and XP >> backup not readable in Vista) there's a fairly good chance! > I don't think so. The NT backup utility was introduced with NT! With Vista > it was time for a new method. > From NT to XP and Server 2003 there was no change. > You can restore the XP Backup in Vista (Seven) with the Windows NT > Backup - Restore Utility from the Microsoft Download Center. > > Yes all that is all very well. We are talking here about ordinary computer users. There were LOTS of posts in the XP forums along the line of "I used Backup in W98 to backup my data, bought a new machine with XP, now the XP backup won't restore my backed-up files". Ditto in the Vista groups the same. THAT'S what I am talking about. The average user doesn't KNOW what vhd files are, or that the backup files are zip files. They EXPECT that if they make a backup in one version of Windows, they can restore in another version, and that plainly has NOT happened in the past.
My System Specs

06-25-2009	#18 (permalink)
Karim Af Afnel n/a posts	Re: Backup Sofware Suggestions "Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxx>: Quote: > Yes all that is all very well. We are talking here about ordinary computer > users. Ok, now I understand. From this point of view I agree, but it is not easy to fulfill all the needs from the ordinary to professional user.
My System Specs

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