BeerBorg

hi
totally unrelated to beer but.... anyone have any recommendations for a simple to use backup software for pc running win7? I want one that can do system images, backup/restore individual files. I want to be able to fully backup everything...docs..music.. programs...etc. I tried EaseUs todo backup's free trial but Norton continually showed it was trying to modify Norton's files and to me that smells. so I uninstalled it. not looking for anything 'cloud' related.
thanks

-z-

I just use the microsoft backup under control panel, has always served me well.

I'm a big fan of Acronis as it saved my arse (at work) more times than I can remember. Its not free but worth it.
However, if you want free, there's lots of very good software and the best free one is Easeus http://www.todo-backup.com/
Macrium is also a recommend freebie. http://www.macrium.com/

I find the W7 program very easy to use but hard to work with if and when you need it.

I use Mcafee protection, about $50 a year, which automatically backs up my files.

Acronis True Image has always worked well for me. Some folks like Norton Ghost, but I find Acronis to be simpler to work with and just as effective, unless you really need some Enterprise feature that Ghost provides that Acronis does not. I've used both in both personal and Enterprise (work) scenarios.

Neither are free though. What is built into windows does work fine on a personal level. Unless you are running a version of windows that didn't include it?

thanks for the replies.

according to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... to-back-up the backup included with windows 7 no longer backs up program files (identified in registry) and certain other files , EVEN IF you check them off for backup.

not much of a backup if it doesn't include everything.

that's why I need something that can backup everything and selectively restore files...or everything if system crashes.

I downloaded easeus todo backup trial and much to my shock, Norton shows that every second easeus agent.exe is trying to make changes to nortons main executable. why???? to me that stinks like a virus or a root kit. so out it went.

I may go with acronis now but need more research. I looked at novabackup by novastor but it's a bit confusing for me.

I am left scratching my head as to why Microsoft would ruin backup and restore by not letting it backup program files???

merry xmas...

-z-

While backup doesn't backup program files, Windows 7 gives you the option of creating a system image. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how ... windows-7/

I agree that Acronis is the best product on the market.

Note that system images often require the user to exit the operating system because it locks files during usage. In addition, restoring images takes some knowledge of drive partitions and such, an inexperienced user can destroy the booting of their system or overlay the wrong partition quite easily.

Everyone should use their system's software to create an image of the system as it came out of the box with Restore DVD/CDs. Many manufacturers include software to backup the system and restore it using a key or key combination. Again, it's not for the weak hearted.

I go to forums that specialize in what I'm trying to accomplish to see what a) experts think and b) what common users think. I come here for beer brewing knowledge, go to the OBi forums for knowledge of that device, the F-150 forum for my truck, ...

Acronis was what I came here to recommend as well lol, great minds think alike.

With regards to the programs trying to "modify" the Norton file it is most likely because the program is trying to copy the exe to back it up, i would say trust the program and recommend disabling Norton while you back-up. Although my personal advice would be to get rid of Norton and use a different anti-virus instead but that is almost purely personal preference, i have found it does not catch nearly everything and other programs do a better job.

thanks all... it looks like Acronis it will be then.

Rick - as always appreciate picking your brain. first thing out of the box I did the emergency recovery disk. I also got the windows OS disk this time just in case. win 7 system image backup went smoothly .. I have shadow copy turned on so I think that helped. Never did fix the xps that died on me. I started diagnosing the error lights and kept getting one error after another so my mother board was probably crapped out. I had one built for less than if I would've built it myself oddly enough.. if you factor in holiday sales and discounts. it's not a bad pc.. but windows 7 is taking much getting used to.

D34thspawn... cool avatar! EaseUs Todo backup was only installed. I opened it once to see the interface, then closed it. hours later went to bed... got up and took the machine out of sleep. I am really nosey so I checked the Norton security log after awhile. from the time I took the machine out of sleep, Norton showed that every second for nearly 10 minutes easeus was trying to make changes to Norton's main executable file. Norton is set to deny access to all foreign software and logged each occurance. easeus wasn't even running at the time. I googled agent.exe, the culprit trying to screw with Norton and saw many ppl using this backup software were reporting issues with crafty backdoor bugs and such. they all showed todo backup in their software (malware / hijack this ??? ). to me, that screams Chinese plot to turn my pc into a bot... but then im paranoid anyway.

ive been using windows defender along with Norton. I may also download malware bytes and run it as another layer of catching things.

thanks again...

-z-

Rickbeer - another question if I may...

Since 2013 it seems like a lot of ppl are reporting Acronis to be really buggy. (amazon reviews) Is there a particular version that is better than the rest? or is the 2014 version in your opinion stable? I usually don't put too much stock in amazon reviews because anyone can post anything unless it says certified amazon purchase. the thing that scares me is that there are nearly as many 1's as 5's.

thanks...

I still use 2010 at the office with 100% luck. At home I have 2013 and won't be upgrading again to 2014. I see no reason as none of the new stuff it does is what I do. I just make images of my drives....all the other stuff is just fluff I could care less about.

Today when I went to one of my computers, I checked email then read some news. All of a sudden, the screen went white and there was German all over the screen then the words RESTARTING. When restarted, I logged in and got a message that the FBI has found some music and videos on my system and I had to pay $100 to get the chance to use my system again. Frack that!
After 20 minutes or so with my Microsoft Tech Net free help, I was told the best thing to do was to take my system to Best Buy, give them $350 and 5 days and let them fix it.
Frack that part 2!

I had made an image of my system on the 23rd as I do almost every other week with Acronis. It took 5 minutes and I'm back up. Sure, that malware may be there somewhere but I'm scanned my system with 3 programs and I think it's gone or in hiding but, I'm back in biz.

Another pro for Acronis and just good backing up skills. If you don't take the time to back up, no software, free or $$$$$ can help you.

Beer-Lord I have removed that virus before. It is quite difficult but do-able. Back-ups and images are easiest. I do not have the space to do that unfortunately 4.5 Tb of nearly full HD space is difficult to back up. When I build my new rig I will be leaving the big drive blank for back-ups I think. If I can :P

Beer-lord, shut the computer down, restart in safe mode and run system restore.
Reboot and run a complete virus scan. Takes a while, but it should solve your problem!

I just use a free external hard drive for back up. The only thing I had to buy was the enclosure.
In fact, I have dual drives in the tower and the spare drive is also
used as a back up, so I have it in triplicate!

I do what TT does. I had everything on a net drive. ND took a dump, lost everything moral of story you need more than 1 BKUP!!