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Thread: Need Disk Imaging Software Recommendation

  1. #1
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    Question Need Disk Imaging Software Recommendation

    Can anyone recommend easy to use imaging software for desktop PC's? I have several small retail outlets all with a standalone PC operating Windows XP SP3. I currently use Backup MyPC for nightly data backups to a secondary hard drive and I also created a full backup with Recovery Disk for each PC. I've had to use the latter on at least 2 occasions and it worked great, but in both of those scenarios I was replacing a failed primary drive in the same PC. Had the motherboard failed or the PC been stolen I would have been up a creek because Backup MyPC's full recovery option won't load onto a different PC. Therefore, I need imaging software that can put the image onto a different box if necessary. I would also like to save the image to an external USB drive if possible.
    "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." - Morpheus

  2. #2
    Extreme Member! BipolarBill's Avatar
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    This one is free, but somewhat limited:

    http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

    If you're going to work from a bootable CD, that should be fine. If you are going to actually install it on multiple PCs, you should cough for the full version.

    My all-around favorite is Acronis True Image. It does it all.

    http://www.acronis.com/
    MS MCP, MCSE

  3. #3
    Stark Raving MOD Midknyte's Avatar
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    Therefore, I need imaging software that can put the image onto a different box if necessary.
    The main problem is that the HAL would probably be different on a new system. If you stick with the same basic brand of chipset, you might be able to avoid a bluescreen. Otherwise, you'd have to at least do a repair install.

    Acronis TrueImage Workstation has a Universal restore add-on, but that is not a cheap option.

  4. #4
    Ultimate Member Ol'Tunzafun's Avatar
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    Acronis TrueImage Workstation has a Universal restore add-on, but that is not a cheap option.
    But it is the cheapest way to restore to different hardware, and it works well.

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    Paragon Drive Copy 9.0 Personal SE free

    Free if you act today:

    Paragon Drive Copy 9.0 Personal SE

    ...I have Acronis True Image and Paragon 9...they both work well...

  6. #6
    Ultimate Member Ol'Tunzafun's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mj2469 View Post
    Free if you act today:

    Paragon Drive Copy 9.0 Personal SE

    ...I have Acronis True Image and Paragon 9...they both work well...
    That's a good tip for those just looking for a good drive copy app, but it does not do what the O.P. wants it to do.
    i.e. restore images to dissimilar hardware.

  7. #7
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    I know just the thing.

    StorageCraft's ShadowProtect.
    It allows what they call a "Hardware Independent Restore"
    Also live state imaging (image the computer without rebooting), move physical to virtual and back. Load images on a USB HDD (preferably NTFS, FAT32 has 4Gb filesize limit), or network storage.

    We've just started using it here at work. I'm very impressed so far.

    Very cool software. http://www.storagecraft.com.au

    I can recommend a reseller if your in Sydney.

  8. #8
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    Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I've heard a lot about Acronis, so I think I'll start there.
    "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." - Morpheus

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