Best complete backup of programmes and files??Recommendations??

**jwig** · 12-03-2012, 10:01 AM

Windows Vista does not offer a complete backup of programmes and files and I wonder what the educated thinking is now about the alternative backup programmes for a very moderate amount of backup (around 4-5 dvds). Having just completed a factory re-instal and the updates and prorammes I think I should do a complete backup but Vista offers files only. I can see from older posts that some backup programmes do not come up to scratch at the restore and re-boot phase. Please gurus, do you have some wise thinking on this topic?

**gary67** · 12-03-2012, 10:41 AM

active@ around $50US but works very well and can backup to network locations, DVD's actually just about to anything and very easy to use. I have found some of the free ones not very good they say they have worked but then when you go to restore them they fail

**jwig** · 12-03-2012, 11:03 AM

Thanks very much Gary67. I've seen other comments about the problems that happen when the restore is needed...hence my question. Your advice is appreciated.

**HAL9000** · 12-03-2012, 12:33 PM

Image of drive probably best bet.

I've not come across a reliable way of backing up a complete Windows system that is able to be restored on to different hardware in the case of catastrophic failure.

**linw** · 12-03-2012, 12:42 PM

Macrium Reflect free is a good imager.

**dugimodo** · 12-03-2012, 01:24 PM

Windows 7 has an inbuilt backup program that can create a system image. It's not the fastest by any means but it seems to get the job done and is free. I've restored from one of these backups successfully in the past. I've used acronis with mixed success also, usually it works and is very fast, but occasionally has not restored the image properly for me.

**gary67** · 12-03-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by dugimodo

Windows 7 has an inbuilt backup program that can create a system image. It's not the fastest by any means but it seems to get the job done and is free. I've restored from one of these backups successfully in the past. I've used acronis with mixed success also, usually it works and is very fast, but occasionally has not restored the image properly for me.

OP is using Vista

**dugimodo** · 12-03-2012, 02:12 PM

Yeah, realised that after I posted. Nevermind. Upgrading to 7 gets you a backup option as well as other benefits

Does Vista definately not have it? it's not exactly advertised anywhere in windows 7, typing backup in the search box is how I usually launch it.

**gary67** · 12-03-2012, 02:26 PM

I don't know never really had anything to do with Vista, I only know that 7 home premium does not backup over a network which is why I use active@. The ultimate and business versions backup over a network though

**wainuitech** · 12-03-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by HAL9000

Image of drive probably best bet.

I've not come across a reliable way of backing up a complete Windows system that is able to be restored on to different hardware in the case of catastrophic failure.

There are some programs about that will allow restores to different hardware, just depends if you want to do a backup that way. Sometimes if the new hardware is close enough to the old, it will install new drivers, and away you go after reactivating windows.

There is one other way I have done a couple of PC's here. Do a fresh install, make backup image using Active@ as gary suggested. To test attach a blank HDD and make sure it has work OK - never had a failure yet. Then run sysprep through it, select shutdown and reinmage again and keep that in a safe place.

The syspreped version will reinstall on any hardware, because sysprep removes system-specific information relating to the host PC Eg: drivers.