Backup + restore options

[paulinnorway]

Hi,

I'm currently looking at backup+restore options and I was wondering what are the best options out there?

- I need to backup 15 PCs (all Windows XP pro, wireless network)
- I'd like to create an exact image of each PC's hard drive so that I could later use that image to retore whatever PC needed to be repaired.

I've had a look at some of the commercial software available, and I think Acronis True Image was the best (ahead of Norton Ghost). However, I'd like to have a look at free options first....

At the moment I'm about to try out a free program called DriveImage XML (http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm). Have any of you used this with any success?



As a separate question, I'd like to ask if it is possible to connect my laptop to each PC separately, and make the PC behave like an external drive. Then I'm thinking I could use a backup program to create an image of my PC and  save it on my laptop. Ideally, I'd love to have 15 images on my laptop, and whenever a PC needed to be repaired I could simply hook up my laptop to it and use a backup/retore program to restore the PC to it's original working state.

Is that even possible? Hopefully some of you have a bit of experience with these kind of things.

Thanks 8-)

[ale52]

I've tried DriveImageXML and found it didn't come close to Acronis.  With Acronis you can make an image, save it over the network to another location, make a boot CD that will allow you to recover that image from anywhere.  

Thanks to GX1_Man for his endorsement  

In answer to your second question, I don't believe you can do that.  You'd have to use a cross-over cable to connect and then you'd be able to share files/folders/peripherals, but not have it act like an external drive.  Besides, with Acronis you wouldn't need to hook up your laptop to each machine.  Just share a folder on your laptop, create/save the image to that shared folder...you're done  

Alan <><  

[Raptor]

Norton Save & Restore can do that for you as well.

[paulinnorway]

I've tried DriveImageXML and found it didn't come close to Acronis.  With Acronis you can make an image, save it over the network to another location, make a boot CD that will allow you to recover that image from anywhere.  

Thanks to GX1_Man for his endorsement  

In answer to your second question, I don't believe you can do that.  You'd have to use a cross-over cable to connect and then you'd be able to share files/folders/peripherals, but not have it act like an external drive.  Besides, with Acronis you wouldn't need to hook up your laptop to each machine.  Just share a folder on your laptop, create/save the image to that shared folder...you're done  

Alan <><  

Did DriveImageXML work ok for you? I'm going to try to complete a full backup and restore tomorrow using it. As long as it does a basic job, then I'm happy. Obviously I'd love to use Acronis because I've read great reviews of it, but if I can use a more basic free program, then that would be preferable.

[patio]

Acronis is worth the money you will spend on it...especially if you are looking for backup solutions.

As far as the networking solution the easist way would be a USB cable with network support...

patio.  8-)

[paulinnorway]

Acronis is worth the money you will spend on it...especially if you are looking for backup solutions.

As far as the networking solution the easist way would be a USB cable with network support...

patio.  8-)

I'm first going to test DriveImageXML and see how I get on. If it's rubbish then I'll probably choose Acronis.

[GX1_Man]

I think this IS one of the cases where you get what you pay for. Data is too valuable to be playing with a "maybe" solution. At least mine is.  

[panboy]

Norton Ghost Support mapping a network share as a Drive for the purpose of imaging,

So yes , you could have the 15 images in a folder on you lap top, hook up the PC and lap top to a network, and boot a Norton networking Boot disk, and use it to map a drive.

The problem is you may need a Different Network boot Disk/Disks for Each PC as network cards are not as Generic as CD Roms,
You may be able to do this with Acronis True Image , but i have no Experience whit it,

I have however Done what you want to do using Norton Ghost.

And Yes you Can Use a Networked PC as an External Drive, all you need to do is Share the folder you want to Write to , and allow Write Permissions.

[paulinnorway]

I think this IS one of the cases where you get what you pay for. Data is too valuable to be playing with a "maybe" solution. At least mine is.  

I don't keep any of my important data on the 15 computers, so a "maybe" solution is ok with me.
Besides, if it every goes wrong I can just do a clean Windows install using the original image that came when I bought the PCs.......that shouldn't take too long

I'm 70% through the restore procedure, so my fingers are crossed!! Pleeeeeease make it work

[paulinnorway]

I just finished a backup and a restore of one PC using DriveImageXML and it worked fine!! I'm delighted!!
I think I'm going to use this program until I come across problems. Thanks to everyone who offered their advice and opinions in this thread.....much appreciated

[GX1_Man]

Please post back after using it for awhile - one way or the other.

[paulinnorway]

Please post back after using it for awhile - one way or the other.

Would you like me to post it in this thread or create another? When would you like the next update.....in one month, two months...?
This forum is a great help for me so if I can give a little back then I'm more than happy to do so 8-)

[Raptor]

Please post back after using it for awhile - one way or the other.

Would you like me to post it in this thread or create another? When would you like the next update.....in one month, two months...?
This forum is a great help for me so if I can give a little back then I'm more than happy to do so 8-)

Whenever you feel ready.