(SNIP)
XJHay said:
At this point I'm not sure what to make of this. It seems like I'm right
there, just missing something. Maybe if you could suggest other software
to
use for the cloning that would be great.
I have the full version of 'Acronis Disk Image' and it leaves a bit to be
desired for copying one disc to another.
I'm not completely sold on the Acronis either. If you know of something
else
I could use please let me know.
I appreciate your input and help, thanks a bunch...
Mike
Mike:
I assume you're referring to the "Acronis True Image" program (unless they
have another similar program I'm unfamiliar with).
Assuming it is the ATI program, (I'm assuming it's their latest version 11)
it should work fine as a basic disk-to-disk cloning program (or should you
be interested, also its disk-imaging capability).
Since you're casting about or at least considering another disk-cloning
program, let me offer the following...
The program we greatly prefer as a disk-to-disk cloning program (it does not
have disk-imaging capability) is the Casper 4 program - see
http://www.fssdev.com
It's extremely simple to use even for an inexperienced user, reasonably
quick in operation, and quite effective. There's virtually no learning curve
in undertaking the disk cloning process as one navigates through the few
easy-to-understand screens with a final mouse-click on the button on the
screen which will trigger the disk-cloning process. After undertaking one or
two disk-cloning operations it should take the user no more than 20 seconds
or so to get to that point.
The significant advantage of the Casper 4.0 disk cloning program compared
with other disk cloning programs that we're familiar with, e.g., Acronis
True Image or Symantec's Norton Ghost, is its ability to create
*incremental* disk clones following the creation of the original (first)
disk clone. Employing what Casper calls its "SmartClone" technology the
program can create subsequent disk clones of the source HDD usually at a
fraction of the time it takes to create a "full" disk clone. This results in
a decided incentive for the user to undertake frequent complete backups of
his or her system knowing that they can create "incremental" disk clones in
a relatively short period of time. Understand that this "incremental disk
clone" is a *complete* clone (copy) of the "source" HDD.
The Casper 4.0 program is also capable of scheduling the disk-cloning
process on a daily, weekly, or other time period selected by the user so
that should you prefer you could arrange for automatic backups at
pre-determined times.
There's a trial version available (see above link) although it's somewhat
crippled but it will give you a good idea as to how the program works. And I
can provide further details about using the program should you be
interested.
The downside to the Casper 4 program as compared with the Acronis and most
other disk-cloning programs is the cost of the program which comes to $49.95
for the program + $9.95 for the "Casper Startup Disk" (the program to create
the bootable CD containing the Casper program). So it's more expensive than
the others. But in our view, well worth the additional cost considering its
overall effectiveness and the fact that one will be using the program many,
many times over the weeks & months ahead. AFAIK, the program is available
only through download from the developer.
Another possible downside to the Casper 4 program (depending upon your
interests) is that it's really not designed to create "generational" copies
of your system. Some users like to maintain complete copies of their system
at various points in time. To that end a disk-imaging program is more
practical since to accomplish that objective using a disk-cloning program
such as Casper 4 the user would obviously need a fair number of HDDs to
serve as the recipients of the clones at these various points in time. But
based on our experience I would say that the vast number of users are
basically interested in only maintaining a current up-to-date copy of their
system and have little or no interest in maintaining "generational" copies
of such. But that may be a consideration for you & others.
Anyway, all of the above is predicated on the basis that you're seeking a
reliable program to backup your *entire* day-to-day booting HDD, including
the XP OS, all your programs & applications, and your user-created data, in
short - everything that's on your "source" HDD. And you want an effective
simple-to-use program to do this on a systematic routine basis and do so
reasonably quickly. To that end we've found this Casper 4.0 program really
fills the bill. So I would suggest you take a look at it.
Anna
