Hard Drive Backup Software

[lbeachmike]

Hey guys -

What is the fan favorite for doing backups of non-boot volumes?

In other words, I've got multiple drives - a couple of purely data drives that I'd like to an occassional backup on.

I do have Norton Ghost, but not sure if it's designed with that particular purpose in mind ... ?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike

[Midknyte]

it doesn't have to be a boot partition for Ghost to work.

if it's just data, you can copy it raw to dvds or an external hdd. I don't see why you would need to use ghost unless you need to compress the data.

[lbeachmike]

ok. it has data and my alternate backup OS, but if i'm not active on that OS, there is no probs copying all files, correct? just double-checking because i'm going to be doing some juggling tonight ahead of building a new xp install to finally migrate from win2k.

thanx.

[Midknyte]

what do you mean alternate backup OS? is it a bootable drive or not? if not, then just raw data should be ok.

[lbeachmike]

Nope - non bootable drive. Bootable OS via boot drive. I get the picture - no probs - easy to copy as long as I'm not running off it.

Thanks.

mrk

[G]

I'm the Chief Technical Help File Writer, License Agreement Writer, Software Tester and Forum Moderator at Genie Software.

Check out my 20% discount on one of the best active backup programs around. Version 7 will be out soon and you will be eligible to a free upgrade too.

I help run Cheapshareware.co.uk so my discounted software is on this site as I haven't got one of my own yet.

http://www.cheapshareware.co.uk/products/geniebackup/geniebackupmanager.php

There other programs out there but this is the one I use and recommend exclusively and not for reasons that other(s) may suggest.

[lbeachmike]

Hey there G -

This looks like a very nicely done product at quick glance -

Two key questions -

1. What makes this package better than everything else that's out there? And, by active backup, does that mean that it's progressive - runs in the background and simply backs up things automatically?

2. Shareware - is there any trial period on the full version of the software or is the full version only accessible via purchase?

I'm not particularly thrilled with anything I've seen thus far, and would be happy with a convenient, simple and effective alternative.

Thanks.

Mike

[G]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your interest in Genie Backup Manager.

Before you go with a possible purchase ensure you have the correct one for your needs, e.g., Professional or Server.

It would be disingenuous for me to say it is the best, but I have tried and tested many programs, the backup group being one of many.

The Genie Backup Manager family is a very flexible and powerful alternative to other backup solution for sure. Not only can it be easily set up and understood for less experienced users but it is also used for large commercial enterprises too.

So as a user’s backup needs grow they can take advantage of more powerful backup option and facilities on offer.

When Genie Backup Manager was V5, it won the PC World best low-cost backup program award. Moreover, it was mentioned in the PC World article that in some areas it had options that $400-600 backup gorillas did not. In other respects it was superior to them.

The software is in constant development and issues are addressed immediately. I moderate the Genie forum so I pass on problems to the supervisor of technical support directly.

There are many backup programs out their but the only one I use and recommend, and not because I make a bit out of it, is the Genie Backup Manager family. All the work I do for Genie Software I do for free anyway, so they give me a little extra off and then I just give it back to the customer.

It is an active backup program, meaning that it will backup in the background on a scheduled basis if configured to do so - you can rest easy. Or you can carry out manual backups if a schedule is not timed to kick-in when you have important work you want to back up immediately. It will backup even if you are not even logged on, to FTP, tape devices and so forth. For backing up online (files in use and locked) files you will need their File Access Manager (FAM). I do a special bundle on this which will save anyone interested over $33, before they even consider purchasing.

A passive backup solution is an imaging program such as Ghost or True Image. The down side of imaging is that you will lose everything post image creation. TI can to daily incremental or differential backups but I keep imaging programs for imaging and active backup programs for backup my critical data. Keep it simple.

Genie BM Pro:
http://www.genie-soft.com/download/GBMProV6_Setup.exe

FAM:
http://www.genie-soft.com/download/FAM_setup.exe

Genie BM Server (FAM is integrated)
http://www.genie-soft.com/download/GBMServerV6_setup.exe

I haven’t had many sales at all. I don’t understand why as this is any excellent program and comes with a special discount.

Considering the data lost whether due to viruses etc it really is no brainer.

One important point. Buy V6 of any version of Genie Backup Manager and you will get V7 free of charge. This one is a big upgrade too :)

[lbeachmike]

Hey G - I don't think you answered question #2. Also, I emailed you privately through the email on the website. Please respond to that email.

Thanks.

Mike

[G]

Yes the links above are the shareware versions given you 15 days to evaluate. Some functions are greyed out.

I did email you at 11.38am UK GMT or about 4.5 hours ago.

[lbeachmike]

G - You PM'd me - you've got PMs disallowed for your account and thus I cannot respond.

mrk

[G]

I've just checked Mark. PMs were enabled already.

Here's my email address.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7822