Backup software

[Banditman]

What is a good backup app? I have used Acronis and the backup files are always corrupt (even right after I make them). I have used Windows XP backup and sometimes it won't let me access the backups from the recovery mode. I have used Retrospect and I lost $600 in paid for MP3s and a crap load of downloaded apps due to the backup files being corrupt. I have used Norton Ghost and didn't like the way it took over my rig. I am sick to death of people selling faulty backup software. Are there any apps out there that actually perform like they should and can be relied upon?

[[Dr. V]]

i like using a different partition on a hard drive, or a different hard drive.

:P if the above isnt an option, i ghost stuff for some people sometimes.

g'luck!

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by Banditman

What is a good backup app? I have used Acronis and the backup files are always corrupt (even right after I make them). I have used Windows XP backup and sometimes it won't let me access the backups from the recovery mode. I have used Retrospect and I lost $600 in paid for MP3s and a crap load of downloaded apps due to the backup files being corrupt. I have used Norton Ghost and didn't like the way it took over my rig. I am sick to death of people selling faulty backup software. Are there any apps out there that actually perform like they should and can be relied upon?

For imaging applications I like Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image.

For doing backup routines I really like Cobian (a really good and free backup software):

Cobian's site - The home of Cobian Backup

I am still running with Cobian 7.0 and use it to backup to other machines on my home network. It will also backup to off site (I think).

Ron

[stinger608]

I back up my system about 2 times a month with Acronis, and have never had a corrupt image!!!

I think I would contact who ever you got your copy of Acronis from, and attempt to RMA the disk. It sounds like there is something wrong with the disk!

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by stinger608

I back up my system about 2 times a month with Acronis, and have never had a corrupt image!!!

I think I would contact who ever you got your copy of Acronis from, and attempt to RMA the disk. It sounds like there is something wrong with the disk!

It's not the disk, I too had several corrupt images when using Acronis True Image 9 about 2 years ago, and found several related complaints via Google. I swore them off until recently, as Capper (and some others on staff) have continued to rave about the new version 10, and currently have it installed. Haven't tested out any images yet, but I can attest to the corrupt image problem that's plagued previous versions.

[Banditman]

Originally Posted by Reloadron

For imaging applications I like Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image.

For doing backup routines I really like Cobian (a really good and free backup software):

Cobian's site - The home of Cobian Backup

I am still running with Cobian 7.0 and use it to backup to other machines on my home network. It will also backup to off site (I think).

Ron

I just looked at Cobian and don't like the fact that the backups are not compressed to save space. I only have a 250gb external HD that I use for backups and I have 3 computers. 2 of which have 3 hard drives installed and one of which has 3 OS installed.

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

It's not the disk, I too had several corrupt images when using Acronis True Image 9 about 2 years ago, and found several related complaints via Google. I swore them off until recently, as Capper (and some others on staff) have continued to rave about the new version 10, and currently have it installed. Haven't tested out any images yet, but I can attest to the corrupt image problem that's plagued previous versions.

Ya, makes me very very mad . And I just didn't like the way norton ghost took over my partitions. Need a good backup app that has a good open file backup option.

[Reloadron]

OK, maybe I am missing something. When you say backup do you mean create a backup of specific files and folders or do you mean create a full disk image?

When I think "Back Up" I think of backing up specific files and folders to another HDD and in my case on another machine on the network. When I think creating a "Disk Image" I think of creating a perfect image of a specific HDD (or partition) including everything.

Cobian does not compress files. Personally I am not real big on file compression as frequently decompression with many programs does not always go well. Additionally the same software used to compress is needed to decompress.

Ron

[Zambini]

I've been using PCBackup for the past 3-5 months.
2 things I like about it:
a) it cost me $1.45 ($20+tax - $20 MIR)
b) It doesnt suck!

Its published by Stompsoft. Its not a power tool.... It's a screwdriver where Norton Ghost is a 24' Mine Shaft Drill.

[Banditman]

No, I am talking about backing up everything. I have alot of customizations done to XP and Firefox that it is a PITA to reinstall it all and reset everything. So a single file backup app is really no good to me. Also I have 3 OS installed on my main rig and is also a PITA to reinstall it all. I like backing up every single HD so I don't need to spend days reinstalling the OS and then transferring just the saved files to each individual folder. I want to hit a button and come back in a few hours and have everything as it was before the HD crash or PC meltdown. And no company can make a decent backup app that can be relied on whether it's format is compressed or imaged. Have you checked your backups created with PCBackup? Are they corrupt? Do you know, without a dought, that they won't be corrupt when you need them? For example, with Retrospect, I always check the backups after I make them to make sure that they are ok. Half the time they were ok. But that last time I checked it, it was ok. Then came time to recover from a HD crash and wouldn't you know it. It was corrupt. WHY? HOW? The backup file was sitting on my external HD which is turned off untill I need something off of it. These are the questions I am asking after using the so-called top of the line software.

Does anyone have a backup or image app that they have used for years without problems? Lemme know!

[Zambini]

I would assume Norton Ghost would be your power tool.

anyone second?