Create an image of your HDD

Discussion in 'Software' started by Igniseus, 8 Apr 2008.

  1. Igniseus

    Igniseus What's a Dremel?

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    Hi all,

    I was wondering if anyone could recommend me the best piece of software for creating an exact image of my hard drive? Basically, in case my HDD fails, or I somehow manage to get a devastating virus or basically anything to ruin my currently very nicely running XP. So of course this would need some kind of bootable CD/DVD that would restore the image onto the existing or new HDD.

    Thanks
     
    Igniseus, 8 Apr 2008
    #1
  2. Rocket733

    Rocket733 Austerity - It's the only way

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    If you look into Norton Ghost it can provide the functionality you´re looking for. I´m not sure if there are any opensource/cheaper programs available.
     
    Rocket733, 8 Apr 2008
    #2
  3. CobraMods

    CobraMods Gettin there slowly

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    CobraMods, 8 Apr 2008
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  4. tk421

    tk421 Idiot.

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    usb hdd with Bart PE / ghost.

    the only way to image :)
     
    tk421, 8 Apr 2008
    #4
  5. Elv13

    Elv13 What's a Dremel?

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    OpenSource/Free alternative:

    partimage
    clonezilla
    ghost4linux
     
    Elv13, 9 Apr 2008
    #5
  6. Matticus

    Matticus ...

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    I would have to agree with the above, 9/10 times opensource and linux based software is the way to go.

    Also have you looked into RAID 1 , obviously no details about your motherboard have been given, but I am sure if you post the details someone will tell you if you can and how, or you can get an add in card. Just a thought, as you would have a realtime backup of all your data, though the cost of another disk and possibly an addin card may make this option a no-no for you.
     
    Matticus, 9 Apr 2008
    #6
  7. kenco_uk

    kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again

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    kenco_uk, 9 Apr 2008
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  8. naokaji

    naokaji whatever

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    I prefer this, why? unlike back up software you dont restore anything, plug in back up hdd and you can boot from it straight away. of course there are free alternatives which do the same, open sauce Cheesecake.
     
    naokaji, 9 Apr 2008
    #8
  9. Glider

    Glider /dev/null

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    As said 100000000000000000000 times before, RAID is NOT a backup. RAID protects against physical drive failure, but if you have data/FS corruption you end up with 2 identical and corrupt drives...
     
    Glider, 9 Apr 2008
    #9
  10. Hazardous

    Hazardous What's a Dremel?

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    I prefer using an external enclosure, with an e-SATA connection meself :idea:
    e-SATA is much faster than USB 2.0 ;)
     
    Hazardous, 9 Apr 2008
    #10
  11. tk421

    tk421 Idiot.

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    the drive is a 60gb toshiba harvested from a dead lappy @ work - the usb 2.0 enclosure was bought with a 30$ gift card for BB i got for my b-day last year.

    4.98$ total cost.
     
    tk421, 9 Apr 2008
    #11

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