sundevil777 102 #1 January 28, 2007 I now have 2 internal drives, primary is 80GB, secondary is 160. I've already manually backed up my various documents, pictures and such. What I'd really like to be able to do is make a copy of the operating system and other program files of my hard drive, so that if the primary fails, I can easily reinstall everything to a new primary drive. Phreezone told me of his system that operates two drives simultaneously, so that both drives are always identical, and if a failure is detected on one drive, the other automatically takes over. I think it involved some additional hardware. It sounds expensive, which unfortunately is bad for me. From my look at available software, it seems like I have to spend about $50, and I'm still not sure if it would do what I want (provide an easy recovery method for the system, not just the documents). Is what I want reasonable? Does it make sense? Any recommendations would be much appreciated. I've had 2 hard drives fail in the last 3 years, and I'd like the recovery to be easier next time. Thanks in advance.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #2 January 28, 2007 What you are asking is perfectly reasonable and is a smart thing to do. There are a few ways to do it, but I personally like Acronis True Image backup software. I will say that I have *not* restored a crashed drive from it but I have retrieved individual files and it works well and runs really fast. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #3 January 28, 2007 By other "ways to do it", do you mean other software packages? The Acronis software will make a "true image" of the operating system and program files, right? I guess I'm just wondering if the operating system programs have ways to prevent pirating that also prevent an easy recovery as I describe.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #4 January 28, 2007 QuoteBy other "ways to do it", do you mean other software packages? The Acronis software will make a "true image" of the operating system and program files, right? I guess I'm just wondering if the operating system programs have ways to prevent pirating that also prevent an easy recovery as I describe. It will do do what you want. Anti-piracy stuff won't be a serious problem. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #5 January 28, 2007 Please confirm that I can't just do an ordinary copy of the system program file folder(s)? I mean is it true that they wouldn't be usable as a 'restore' backup? Somehow backup software gets around this, right? Thanks!People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #6 January 28, 2007 QuotePlease confirm that I can't just do an ordinary copy of the system program file folder(s), right? I mean is it true that they wouldn't be usable as a 'restore' backup? Somehow backup software gets around this, right? You are correct. A simple copy is fine for data files but won't work for creating a bootable drive. Backup software *will*. Basically you are wanting to create a "clone" of your hard drive in case it crashes. There are plenty of software packages that will do that, including Acronis True Image. Norton Ghost is another one. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #7 January 28, 2007 Thank you very much. Looks like I can get it for $20, much more reasonable.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry.p009 0 #8 January 27, 2010 Yes i agree with you and the Ghost option is also a preferable. Just go which you wantAIT1 tape | AIT3 tape | LTO3 tape Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #9 January 27, 2010 it is called RAID Other than that there are external drives that can do a systematic backup but it is going to be daily not virtual Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #10 January 27, 2010 IIRC, windows 2000 and maybe xp/vista/7 might have that functionality built in, Im not sure to what limitation though."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #11 January 27, 2010 holy shit, a walt post "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pBASEtobe 0 #12 January 27, 2010 How do you people find 3 year old posts......and reply to them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyBastard 0 #13 January 27, 2010 I think it's done just to confuse and annoy.Dude #320 "Superstitious" is just a polite way of saying "incredibly fucking stupid". DONK! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
