Advice for HDD Clone/Backup Software?

[Cody Shepherd]

Hey guys/gals,

Looking for a decent HDD cloning/backup software. I received a free Acronis 2015 TrueImage serial key from another forum user (thanks!) but I had a HDD fail and lost the ability to redownload it. I was wondering if there was anything you could recommend for use on multiple (preferably unlimited) computers? I would like something that I can throw on a client's computer and aid in proper backing up of HDD. At the moment I'm just relying on my own ability to copy+paste (not ideal). Thanks for the help.

 

[Big Jim]

macrium reflect works well for us

 

[Cody Shepherd]

macrium reflect works well for us

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx ---> the free version I assume?

 

[Markverhyden]

You need to create a process/procedure on how you are going to deal with this. If the customer has backups, check them first. If they have none what is the next step? Remember that HD's fail all of the time without warning. What data is do or die for the business?

My process will vary based upon what the service is all about. If it's a serious issue then a full disk image is required if they do not have one. Clonezilla is usually top of the list. For none booting systems another great too is Parted Magic

I generally do not install an backup apps on a customer computer unless they purchase them.

 

[GTP]

+1 Clonezilla and Parted Magic.
To create images you could try ReDo Backup.
eSUS ToDo Backup is free and works well.

 

[DataMedics]

I'm partial to ddrescue in Linux. They even have a GUI version now that's much better than it used to be. If you download the Sparky Linux Rescue edition USB it's all built in and very easy. You can run it right on the client computer and backup to an external with minimal effort.

Plus it's probably the best software in existence at handling bad sectors should that come up during the process. And you can't beat the price of free forever.

 

[johnrobert]

There's always the chance you can clone the wrong drive I have never done but it's possible

 

[tf76]

I'm partial to ddrescue in Linux. They even have a GUI version now that's much better than it used to be. If you download the Sparky Linux Rescue edition USB it's all built in and very easy. You can run it right on the client computer and backup to an external with minimal effort.

Plus it's probably the best software in existence at handling bad sectors should that come up during the process. And you can't beat the price of free forever.

Hey thanks, didn't know about this one. Looking forward to try ddrescue+GUI
Downloading now.

Regards,

 

[NviGate Systems]

I use VHD Container files and Acronis or aomei partition assistant, which I use to clone physical drive to VHD. This is then saved to a RAID.

I used to do the various file formats by Acronis etc., but had too many issues between versions of a product and corruption. With VHD I have much more control over the backup. Plus, if a client gets in a hissy fit, I can just restore the image and hand back the machine as it was.

VHD also let's me boot machines in a VM for various tasks such as serial numbers for apps that don't store them in registry, finding office versions for 2013 and newer. Very flexible.

 

[DataMedics]

There's always the chance you can clone the wrong drive I have never done but it's possible

I suppose that could be said of just about any software. But, it is easier to make mistakes in some if you're not careful. Cloning to an image file or using a write blocker is the safest way.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I used to do the various file formats by Acronis etc., but had too many issues between versions of a product and corruption. With VHD I have much more control over the backup. Plus, if a client gets in a hissy fit, I can just restore the image and hand back the machine as it was.

The business version of acronis doesn't have the version issue...well..it doesn't have the version issue as long as the backup isnt made by a newer version of the product.

 

[HFultzjr]

A separate machine (can be any thing decent...dual-core, sata ports, etc.)
Running Linux. Either installed or Live CD
Pull customers hard drive and check. Proceed as applicable.
Reboot to live CD (I use Acronis 2013)
Clone Drive to Drive
Put new drive back in computer.
There are some other steps, but this will give you the basics of what I do, depending on the conditions.
Never looked back since I went to a dedicated set-up.

 

[Cody Shepherd]

You need to create a process/procedure on how you are going to deal with this. If the customer has backups, check them first. If they have none what is the next step? Remember that HD's fail all of the time without warning. What data is do or die for the business?

My process will vary based upon what the service is all about. If it's a serious issue then a full disk image is required if they do not have one. Clonezilla is usually top of the list. For none booting systems another great too is Parted Magic

I generally do not install an backup apps on a customer computer unless they purchase them.

I have been trying to remind myself that it is time to create a procedure that I can follow routinely. I tend to handle these situations differently every time and, even though I get the job done I end up torturing myself with hours of extra nonsense. I have heard many people using Clonezilla so I will get that downloaded today and play with it. Thanks again, always great responses from you!

A separate machine (can be any thing decent...dual-core, sata ports, etc.)
Running Linux. Either installed or Live CD
Pull customers hard drive and check. Proceed as applicable.
Reboot to live CD (I use Acronis 2013)
Clone Drive to Drive
Put new drive back in computer.
There are some other steps, but this will give you the basics of what I do, depending on the conditions.
Never looked back since I went to a dedicated set-up.

So you use a dedicated desktop that runs Linux solely for this purpose? Interesting approach, I hadn't thought of that. I guess then Acronis 2015 (or whatever is newest) wouldn't be a bad investment?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We have a Dell Precision workstation for our clone box.
Has a Xeon CPU, a ton of SATA ports.
Since we boot from the Acronis CD...the operating system of this workstation is irrelevant...it boots from the Acronis CD when we intend on cloning.
Don't need to purchase Acronis, you can download the FREE version of Acronis from Seagate and Western Digital and Crucial comes with a license, and Samsung has their own magician software to clone (I forget what that is based off).

 

[Easy PC]

I use a dual core HP desktop, has a few sata cables wired up for plugging drives in - have a bootable USB pen drive with Macrium Reflect and Acronis. I probably us Macrium more as we clone all new Laptops/Desktops to SSD's and with Macrium I only clone the Windows partitions, and delete the Recovery Partition.

When on site cloning I just bring some spare Sata cables, and my USB pen drive....We charge a minimum of 1 hour on site for this.

 

[HFultzjr]

I have been trying to remind myself that it is time to create a procedure that I can follow routinely. I tend to handle these situations differently every time and, even though I get the job done I end up torturing myself with hours of extra nonsense. I have heard many people using Clonezilla so I will get that downloaded today and play with it. Thanks again, always great responses from you!



So you use a dedicated desktop that runs Linux solely for this purpose? Interesting approach, I hadn't thought of that. I guess then Acronis 2015 (or whatever is newest) wouldn't be a bad investment?

Yes.
Lots of SATA cables, power cables, etc. etc.
Left the covers off for easy access.
Switch hard drives or boot from Zalman depending what I need.
One of the best things I've done, and it came mostly from "spare parts".
Well worth the table space.