Vista Ultimate does have its own backup software, however, sadly, I don't
like it and much prefer Acronis True Image.
As for imaging using True Image 10 or 11, in both cases, one image is burnt
to a set of DVDs, another image is imaged, via True Image, to a second hard
drive and stored in the Acronis Secure Zone. The image in the Acronis secure
zone is backed up regularly, whereas the DVD copy will return me back to
'basics' in other words to how the machine was after I had installed Vista
along with all the applications I run on it.
Because of testing beta software etc my drive is usually re-imaged every 4
to 6 weeks. This is not something I would recommend the average user do. I
do it because I need to get rid of the remnants of beta software that can
still remain even after windows has uninstalled the original applications.
When it comes to re-imaging Acronis is launched and the Restore feature
selected. I then go through the wizard and select 'Yes I want to delete all
the partitions on the destination hard drive prior to restoring.' Acronis
then starts the restore process. After around 20 minutes the Acronis reboot
the system and Vista starts to boot up. A menu does appear telling me that
'Vista did not shut down properly the last time' (this is due to Acronis
restarting the computer) but selecting normal boot enables the boot up to
continue and then, finally, the desktop appears and everything works fine.
The imaged copy on the DVD does exactly the same and, after restoring, Vista
works just fine.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org
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