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System Restore versus third party backup software

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by Christer, 2004/09/01.

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  1. 2004/09/01
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hello all!

    There are so many threads ending up discussing System Destroy ...... :rolleyes: ...... sorry, I mean System Restore and to me it seems like a horror story without an ending. Restore Points not being set automatically, Restore Points not working and a top notch hiding place for virii and other malware.

    Some people have certainly had more trouble and have spent more time trying to get SR to work properly than I have spent learning how to use Ghost and creating all my Images combined.

    Okey, I admit that Ghost or any other backup software will set You back a few money-units but in my opinion, the value is returned.

    I would appreciate a poll on how many of us are using third party backup software and how many of us are relying on SR.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #1
  2. 2004/09/01
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Ok Christer, I'll be the first, and have never had trouble w/SR. I experienced it from WinME on into XP (vast improvement BTW).

    I've seen so posts about the "touble and woe" it causes as you have. W/O being overly immodest, I suspect that if I got my hands on most of those systems where it doesn't work, I'd get it working.

    SR is one of those things that I'm a crank on alongside Windows Firewall running with 3rd party firewalls and 2nd HD's, oh, and almost forgot: Dual Booting :)

    Regards - Charles
     
    Last edited: 2004/09/01
    charlesvar,
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  4. 2004/09/01
    dobhar Lifetime Subscription

    dobhar Inactive

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    Hi Christer...

    Use SR along with Ghost.

    Luckily at home I have yet to require the services (system meltdown/program meltdown after install) of either program although I do make regular SR points and Ghost images.

    At work, last year, I has run a CHKDSK /f and after rebooting computer the PC hung at the WinXP Splash screen. I was able to use SR to return to a point before the CHKDSK and was up and runing within minutes.

    How true... :)
     
    dobhar,
    #3
  5. 2004/09/01
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    I've never had the first hint of a problem with SR. Could be because I've never turned it on though. ;)

    I use go-back and except for one time when I got stupid, it's been bullet proof. I have the few critical personal items burned to CD but really don't update them often.
     
    Newt,
    #4
  6. 2004/09/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Christer

    I am a belt, braces and a piece of string sort of guy :D

    System Restore is on (C: drive only) and works OK - so far :)

    I use ASR (Automated System Recovery) and keep it updated - backup file on another physical drive. This has proved invaluable on a couple of occasions and worked perfectly.

    I keep a Windows based and a DOS based Ghost image of C: on an external USB drive (Maxtor One Touch). Never used Ghost to restore though.

    All my data is on a separate partition and is mirrored on the hour, every hour to a separate physical drive using Synchback.

    Most of the PC is backed up weekly to the Maxtor One Touch USB using Dantz Retrospective Backup.

    and .....

    My financial files (Quicken) are also backed up weekly to floppy.

    I used Go Back in the past, but was concerned that the hard drive never stopped working and it slowed the m/c somewhat.

    Overkill? - I think not - at least I have more than one option to restore should one fail.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2004/09/02
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    PeteC,

    I have a separate data partition which I have backed up by manually copying to the backup HDD. I have only recently been directed to Replicator which can either be scheduled or run automatically.

    I have chosen to do it manually for two reasons:

    1) I keep my backup HDD powered off to avoid damage on that one in case of a power failure.

    2) All too often do I use an existing document, modify it and INTEND to save as a new name but fail to do so by just hitting save. On those occasions, I only have to retrieve the original from my backup HDD and all is well.
    If the backup task had been scheduled, it could happen that the original document is replaced only seconds after my mistake.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #6
  8. 2004/09/02
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member

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    Hi Christer,

    I use True Image, make an image of 'C' about once a week, (After a scheduled Norton Speeddisk run), and occasionally burn onto a DVD.
    I haven't had to use system restore much, and I only have it monitoring 'C' anyway, and have reduced the length of time that restore points are kept. Twice in the past it has failed to restore when I needed it, and the disc space used is excessive, although I do set a restore point before installing anything new, just in case.
    I am in the process of trying out Deep Freeze at the moment, which seems to be the ultimate anti-malware tool.

    Roger http://www.windowsbbs.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
    Smile
     
    r.leale,
    #7
  9. 2004/09/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Never had System Restore turned on so cannot say if it works well or not. I use Ghost and it has saved me 3 times so far, well worth the few dollars spent becuase I use it on every system I build or set up for clients and friends.
     
    TonyT,
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  10. 2004/09/02
    Maverick

    Maverick Inactive

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    When you install a service pack, system restore makes a restore point automatically. However, when installing other h/w or s/w, it is up to the individual user to make the restore point.

    I don't think it's very fair to compare system restore against some other top notch back up programs. They are intended for different purposes.

    Personally, I like Ghost -- it's powerful and fast. However, the version of Ghost I have doesn't work on NTFS. I'm gonna give True Image a try next - I keep hearing good things about it.
     
    Maverick,
    #9
  11. 2004/09/02
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    charlesvar,
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  12. 2004/09/02
    dobhar Lifetime Subscription

    dobhar Inactive

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    I also, like Pete, use an Maxtor 5000LE USB 2.0 external 80 GB HDD for all my backups and files I cannot afford to lose. Then time to time I burn the data to DVD's.

    I also have an older Maxtor 3000LE USB 2.0 external 40 GB HDD on my other PC as backup

    I only turn on the Maxtors when I need them.

    One way of the other I figure I've got myself covered.
     
    dobhar,
    #11
  13. 2004/09/02
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

    FireDancer Inactive

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    Hello Christer,

    I have 3 machines , 2 are Win XP and 1 WIN98SE and I turned off SR on the XP's right away and use Acronis True Image on all 3. Never had any problems with SR but then again I guess cuz I never used it.. heard to many horror stories. Anyways I love my ATI and I belive sometime back you and I discussed in another thread backing up systems and useing a good plan for formatting your machine to be able to back up data so not to lose it.

    I use 4 partitions and my largest is for nothing but back ups. Once a week I create a images of my other drives to the storage partition then burn to CD-RW's for saftey. I do like my third party software as it is more plyable to my needs. ;)

    ~FIREDANCER~
     
    FireDancer,
    #12
  14. 2004/09/03
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hello FireDancer!

    It seems like quite a few people not only create their images to a second HDD but also burn a copy to CDs or DVDs.

    When my computer was new, it only had a single HDD with three partitions for system, user data and images respectively. I created the images to the dedicated partition and then burned to CDs. The user data was burned to CDs too.

    Currently, with two HDDs, I create the images and copy the user data to dedicated partitions on the backup HDD which, for most of the time, sits powered off in the mobile rack. The images are copied to the third partition on the primary HDD in order to backup those as well. The backups of the user data SHOULD correspond to the current user data on the primary HDD and I gamble that both HDDs won't fail simultaneously. In concequence, I no longer burn to CDs.

    If the primary HDD dies, I get a new one and restore it from the backup.

    If the backup HDD dies, I get a new one and backup the user data to it and copy the images back from the third partition on the primary HDD.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #13
  15. 2004/09/03
    merlin

    merlin Inactive

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    Hi Christer,
    Everything on HDD C: - no partitions just root.
    Two alternating, racked D: drives, Drive Images of C: 2x per week.
    2nd Copy for daily copies of data to D: and networked PC.
    batch files for copies of system files daily.
    10 x Scanreg /backup on to D: when booting
    - belt and braces as we Brits say :)
    - but never have problem getting back to where I want to be -
    I reckon if you get burned enough over time, you get a few fire
    extinguishers installed.
    (And I also have Drive Image copies of C: in the car and at a friend's
    house in case this place gets nuked)
    regards
     
    merlin,
    #14
  16. 2004/09/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Surprised that no one else has mentioned ASR - unless I've missed it :)
     
    PeteC,
    #15
  17. 2004/09/03
    dobhar Lifetime Subscription

    dobhar Inactive

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    Last edited: 2004/09/03
    dobhar,
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  18. 2004/09/04
    bluzkat

    bluzkat Inactive

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    I'll throw in my two pennies...

    I don't use System Restore because it is somewhat limited plus the many problems other users have had with SR. IMHO many of the SR problems are with people expecting it to do more than its capabilities allow. I have been using DriveImage 2002 (PowerQuest), it broke my heart when Symantec bought PowerQuest. While my copy of DriveImage is fine now, I am concerned about the future of the product (also PartitionMagic). So yesterday I purchased Acronis' TruImage. I guess when the time comes I will have to find a replacement for PartitionMagic also. :(
    Quick question for the *ultrageeks*... any mention of the future of SR in Lonhorn? (just curious)

    B :cool:
     
    bluzkat,
    #17
  19. 2004/09/04
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    B
    I'm running an evaluation copy of Longhorn supplied to MVP's - System Restore is listed in the same place as XP, but is inactive in this version.

    Plenty of time for MS to change their minds of course, so no guarantee that it will be in the final version, but I would guess it will be. Maybe an improved version that works 100% :D
     
    PeteC,
    #18
  20. 2004/09/04
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    A question for you.

    If you do any major removal, addiitions or general clean up do you make new Images ?

    I ask this due to a problem a ( former ) Friend of mine had ( created by himself I think ). He had Image copies of his C: drive ( I am not sure what software )

    He changed Video cards. He added/removed/modified some programs. I suggested making new images. His reply " I do not need to. I got them. "

    Well he ran into problems. Used an OLD Image which created WORSE Problems. Such as now the machine won't boot.

    When I told him what I suspected caused the problem he told me flat out " NO WAY. " For some odd reason he has not spoken to me since. I have no idea whether he got it fixed or not. However I heard via the grapevine that he wound up taking the machine to a repair shop.

    Any type of backup is fine. And I agree to having them. But I also believe that it requires a bit of common sense in using them.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
    #19
  21. 2004/09/04
    bluzkat

    bluzkat Inactive

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    Pete,
    Thanks for the info... that's what I was wondering M$ seems to be branching out more and more into the area of 'utilities'. It'll be interesting to see just how far they will go. As long as they still allow third party utilities to replace the one's they decide to include, this shouldn't be to large of a problem... or will it!!
    :eek: (LOL)

    B :cool:
     
    bluzkat,
    #20
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