[REQUEST] HDD Imaging Software

Galdorf said:
I have tried MANY imaging software nothing compares to HDClone has a great UI very fast and easy to use and not that expensive.
I have had more luck using this to image bad hard drives than any other imaging software sooo many features.
Click to expand...
I will second HDClone, use it all the time and it does a great job.

Allan
 
We generally use the FREE imaging/cloning software that drive manufacturers offer with their hard drives. Most of them offer a special version of Acronis True Image.
It's FREE
It's fairly frequently updated...so check their website every now 'n then for an updated version.
Some of them "cripple it" to work only with their hard drive (as long as 1 of the drives is theirs).
Others, like Crucial, offer a FULL VERSION (including a license file) when you purchase their hard drives...like Crucial SSD's come with an Acronis license in the box.
We use an old Dell Precision tower..with the side panel off, has lots of SATA connections on the motherboard.
It works very well....it has thousands and thousands of clones under its belt....we boot from an Acronis CD and follow the GUI menu.. Works with downsizing too..which is important when you're upgrading/cloning the drive to an SSD..usually smaller.

Acronis works from a boot CD, USB, or from right within Windows.

We also have the StarTech Drive Duplicator..which is a hardware device. (aka the Drive Goblin). Nice 'n fast, and portable. Only drawback from the model we have, is it will not downsize. I've heard there is a model which will downsize...gotta find it.
 
I've used ODIN (Open Disk Imager in a Nutshell) on occasions. Not sure of licensing though It's licensed under the GNU. It's portable and very quick.
 
Diggs said:
...my workhorse on the bench remains Lazesoft Recovery Suite. It'll clone, image, restore, etc. either as a compressed image or sector-by-sector. The bonus is I can go into any of the images and extract a file or a folder without having to restore the image. Not too sure how many other imaging programs do that but it's a first for me. Then there are the other tools (password reset, key finder, one-touch boot restore, etc.) that make this economical ($27.95 as of this writing) program one of my favorites. (Interface is a bit dated....)
Click to expand...

This is a great price! Will it image to a smaller drive? Thinking SSD upgrades...
 
RockIT Man said:
This is a great price! Will it image to a smaller drive? Thinking SSD upgrades...
Click to expand...

It will clone to a smaller drive but it won't image to a smaller drive. It won't take an image from a 1TB drive (even though there is only 80GB of data) and put it on a 240 GB drive, but it will clone that 1TB drive to the 240GB. I never understood that. You'd think images would be easier to work with.
 
Diggs said:
It will clone to a smaller drive but it won't image to a smaller drive. It won't take an image from a 1TB drive (even though there is only 80GB of data) and put it on a 240 GB drive, but it will clone that 1TB drive to the 240GB. I never understood that. You'd think images would be easier to work with.
Click to expand...

Bummer. I image much more than I clone.
 
RockIT Man said:
Bummer. I image much more than I clone.
Click to expand...

Agreed! First thing I do is image the drive and many time I use ddrescue if I have any suspicions about damage. In turn, ddrescue won't image down or clone down either. I also use Aomei Pro and I can't remember what it was but I've had problems imaging down to a smaller drive with that also but not cloning down to a smaller drive. Hmm....
 
So with AOMEI Backupper I see a "Technician" license for $449. Wouldn't this be the license that we would have to get? Ouch! Also, Macrium's pricing looks to be similar.
 
RockIT Man said:
So with AOMEI Backupper I see a "Technician" license for $449. Wouldn't this be the license that we would have to get?
Click to expand...
When you install AOMEI Backupper Pro, the license agreement you need to accept makes no mention of whether or not it can be used for commercial gain. It does say you are not allowed to distribute the software, which I take to mean that you are not allowed to install it on a customer's computer. If your work order says you are authorized to act as the customer's agent, then I would think that would enable you to install it on their computer and use it on their behalf. But then, I'm not a lawyer.
AOMEI Backupper Professional Edition
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
Copyright (c) 2009-2017 AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd, All rights reserved.


IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY:
This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) later referred to as "LICENSEE" and AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd. Later referred to as "AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd" for the software product AOMEI Backupper Professional Edition later referred to as "SOFTWARE". By installing, copying, or otherwise using the SOFTWARE, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not install, use or purchase the SOFTWARE. Installing and using the SOFTWARE signifies acceptance of these terms and conditions of the license.

AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.

Copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties protect the SOFTWARE. The SOFTWARE is licensed, not sold.

Anyone may use the 30-day trial version of the SOFTWARE for evaluation before deciding upon the purchase. After the trial is expired, you should purchase full version. The expired version only supports backup operation, while the restore operation is no longer available. You can upgrade to full version after 30-day trial or later when you need to perform restore operations.


1. GRANT OF LICENSE.
This EULA grants LICENSEE the following rights:
LICENSEE may use this SOFTWARE. "Use" of the SOFTWARE means that LICENSEE has the right to install, load and use the SOFTWARE on up to two (2) PCs or two (2) Laptops (latter referred to as "computers" or "computer") within the same location. One license is for maximum two (2) computers within the same location. One location refers to one site consisting of one or more buildings co-located within the same campus or within a 5-mile radius. No person or company may charge a fee for the distribution of this SOFTWARE to any 3rd parties without written permission from the copyright holder.
LICENSEE is not allowed to lease, sell, rent out or pass the Software to another person in any way. Such license is non-transferable and non-assignable, except in limited circumstances. The limited circumstances include where the original computer the Software license was deployed on: (i) becomes non-functioning; and (ii) falls into disuse. In such cases, the license is transferable to a replacement computer.
LICENSEE may use this SOFTWARE in compliance with all applicable laws and not for any unlawful purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, use, display or distribution of this SOFTWARE together with material that is pornographic, racist, vulgar, obscene, defamatory, libelous, abusive, promoting hatred, discriminating or displaying prejudice based on religion, ethnic heritage, race sexual orientation or age is strictly prohibited.


2. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS.
LICENSEE may not reverse engineer, recompile, and disassembly, modify, translate the SOFTWARE and make any attempt to discover the source code of the SOFTWARE.
LICENSEE may not transfer, sell, re-sell, offer for sale or distribute the SOFTWARE. The sale of and or distribution of copies of this SOFTWARE are strictly forbidden. It is a violation of this EULA to sell, loan, rent, lease, borrow, or transfer the use of copies of the SOFTWARE except if it's permitted by the terms and/or conditions of a separate agreement signed by AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd.


3. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.
THE SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS". NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. YOU USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DATA LOSS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF LOSS WHILE USING OR MISUSING THIS SOFTWARE.


4. SOFTWARE SUPPORT.
Support will only be provided via e-mail. Queries regarding the installation and use of the software should be submitted via e-mail to support@aomeitech.com. If you have questions about buying or updating our products, please Email us at sales@aomeitech.com.


AOMEI Technology Co., Ltd reserves all rights not expressly granted here.
Click to expand...
 
I am not a lawyer but the part where you cannot rent or lease the software could be legally applied to a shop which is selling a service which depends on the software.
 
Here is my take on the whole licensing issue. A residential customer can have any software on their machine that is free for home/personal use. There is nothing unlawful about a residential customer paying me to install their free software on their computer system. However, a commercial/business client is completely different.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTP
Larry Sabo said:
@TechGuy737, what do you think of MBAM's license terms then, especially where it says the following ...
Click to expand...

Which is why the use and popularity of MBAM among users (not techs) is limited. I can tell a client about it, show them the web page, leave a short cut on their desktop and they still won't install it. A month later they have the same mess of crapware......
(You can lead a horse to water.....)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ComputerDave
Windows Installer Can't See Local Drive
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
britechguy
britechguy
frase
Macbook pro 2017 External HDD ISSUE
Replies
19
Views
1K
fincoder
fincoder
HCHTech
Permission Hell
Replies
12
Views
1K
Sky-Knight
Sky-Knight
techiedavid
Best current Partition Recovery software?
Replies
12
Views
1K
frase
frase
Blue House Computer Help
Rootkit scanning and removal
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
Sky-Knight
Sky-Knight
Back
Top