I've used Drive Image in the past, right now I'm giving Acronis True Image a try right now. It has more features than I need.
Anyone know an open source alternative they can recommend?
All I want to do right now is capture a static image of a system and to be able reload that image back onto the same system periodically to give me a fresh install of the OS and base software.
Ultimately I'd like to be able to image a drive of a system in a computer lab and clone that onto the other systems in a lab. This would be a dual boot Ubuntu/XP system.
Recommend software for imaging a drive
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Bullspit
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Recommend software for imaging a drive
"Stand it like a man, and give some back." Al Swearengen
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mekender
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Re: Recommend software for imaging a drive
i like truecrypt because you can create images, virtual drives and even full backups with virtual drives and they are all on the fly encrypted...
“I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.” - Norman Thomas, a six time candidate for president for the Socialist Party, 1944
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Rich
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Re: Recommend software for imaging a drive
Acronis is available free in a fifteen day trial version. I'm on day twelve right now, and after trying it, I am leaning towards shelling out the fifty bucks for legality.
A weak government usually remains a servant of citizens, while a strong government usually becomes the master of its subjects.
- paraphrased from several sources
A choice, not an echo. - Goldwater campaign, 1964
- paraphrased from several sources
A choice, not an echo. - Goldwater campaign, 1964
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ButchS1066
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Re: Recommend software for imaging a drive
Using TeraByte's Image For Windows here. Simple, cheap, and it works.
Life is short, ammo is expendable. Empty the mag.
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Bullspit
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Re: Recommend software for imaging a drive
Thanks for all the information. The Acronis software is easy to use (so far) but has way more options than I need or want including a lot of backup functions.
DriveImage looks about right. I haven't gotten into the documentation yet to know if it will let me image one machine and clone that image to other machines (identical hardware) but it if will I'll be a happy camper.
I'll check out "Image for Windows" next.
DriveImage looks about right. I haven't gotten into the documentation yet to know if it will let me image one machine and clone that image to other machines (identical hardware) but it if will I'll be a happy camper.
I'll check out "Image for Windows" next.
"Stand it like a man, and give some back." Al Swearengen
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Rich Jordan
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Re: Recommend software for imaging a drive
We started using Acronis with Sonicwall CDP appliances (on the fly backup for wintels); the peecee guys liked it enough to get the commercial workstation and server versions.
I know they have had hellacious problems with certain server systems, I think due to issues with the included storage drivers (on the CD boot version). Also some systems with USB2.0 interfaces would flat not work at high speed from the CD boot so the only way they'd run was at 1.1 speeds, or with the addition of a supported PCI USB2.0 card. One site in particular was a multi-day nightmare with many hours on the phone with tech support.
On the recent desktops we've tried so far it has been fine, and on _most_ servers, but just be aware that it may have issues depending on your hardware.
I know they have had hellacious problems with certain server systems, I think due to issues with the included storage drivers (on the CD boot version). Also some systems with USB2.0 interfaces would flat not work at high speed from the CD boot so the only way they'd run was at 1.1 speeds, or with the addition of a supported PCI USB2.0 card. One site in particular was a multi-day nightmare with many hours on the phone with tech support.
On the recent desktops we've tried so far it has been fine, and on _most_ servers, but just be aware that it may have issues depending on your hardware.