Acronis T I 11 Home

[Ghidrah]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum and a bit wordy or if I'm asking the questions incorrectly.

I've been using Symantec ghost for years, however, there seems to be a problem with the newer versions, (from G9 and on) and my PC, (also the newest PC) where there is either a problem creating a copy/image, (I'm not sure which it is) and or trying to restore from the restore disc.

Old Ghost was simple and fast to drive copy/clone, just slip in the floppy, reboot and follow the software. Pick Source HDD and Dest HDD and go. No restore discs, no umpteen questions that I can't answer.

I would drive copy/clone "C" to "G" (external HDD) once a month, more if there were big changes.
Then if probs or noticeable (comp slow down) either copy it back to the "C" drive or physically switch it if "C" failed.

Anyway, I'm considering "Acronis T I, 11 Home". I've read the "ATI 11" manual but can't tell If I can drive copy/clone just the data from "C" to "G" or must have another 320gb HDD for total volume copy.

Also, Images, I'm not too sure I understand them either.
1. Am I able to make a drive copy/clone image from "C" to "G" that I can drive copy/clone back to "C" if there are probs?
2. Am I able to make multiple drive copy/clone images of "C" to "G" and pick what ever one I'd like to transfer back to "C" at a later date?
3. Am I able to make a drive copy/clone of "C" to "G" and then as a safety net make multiple drive copy/clone images of "C" on "G", (allowing me to swap the "G"HDD with the "C"HDD in case of a future "C" drive failure and or transferring "X" image back to "C"?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated I've been relying on XP restore for 9 months and it just doesn't seem to do the trick.

[pam123]

I regularly image the data from my 320 GB 'C' drive to my 200 GB external drive.
Acronis compresses the data to about 48 GB so I currently have two image folders on the external drive since I usually image twice a month.
With the next image back up I'll delete the oldest image file. Depending on what I wanted I would use one image or the other at need.
Check the image when you're done and, just to be on the safe side, remember to create the bootable rescue media.

[Ghidrah]

Thanks Pam, that tells me that I can save multiple images and that the images are compressed.
Does your answer mean, (due to the 48gb) that ATI also copies the empty space as well?

Does ATI have a method to clone "C" to "G" to allow for a drive switching?

[pam123]

No empty space when the image is compressed, there can be corruption which is why you check the image.

Cloning the drive is another deal and another process.

[Ghidrah]

Few more questions, I picked up a hard copy of ATI today, (Staples) and began to install it.

1. In the "Quick start guide" it says that "Rescue Media Builder" and "Bart PE" is included with the backup software, I can't find the "Bart PE" in any of the installation options. Whats up is it a bad CD or did they eliminate it from the CD and ont from the packaging?

As I continued on with the installation instructions, I got to a window that asks to install ATI on all accounts or just mine.

2. Must I install ATI on all accounts to backup the entire drive?
3. If I install on my account only will the software back up the entire drive or just my account?

[pam123]

First, if you haven't already, download and read the complete PDF.
Is the only admin account yours ?

[glc]

You don't *need* to build rescue media - you *can* boot with the program CD.

[pam123]

I missed that.
I was thinking he'd bought the program as a download.

[Ghidrah]

My wife and I have Admin privileges 2 daughters don't.

I knew I didn't need the RMB option, maybe I wasn't clear, I was asking about "Bart PE" and it not being one of the stated options on the CD.
It seems like it would be a nice option to have, however, if Bart PE isn't necessary to run the backup software fine.

The ATI CD has a Users Guide, I'll have a look this evening on the accounts/backup question.

[pam123]

OK you install the software to the two admin accounts, that way either you or your wife can use and the kids can't.
Since you have an already bootable disk you're covered there.

[glc]

I'm assuming the BartPE is the same thing you can download. You use it to make a bootable CD that boots into a stripped down version of XP that runs from the CD. You need your own copy of XP to build it.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/