Okay, guys...please explain to me the difference between ...cloning..ghosting...taking an image...etc..??
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Okay, guys...please explain to me the difference between ...cloning..ghosting...taking an image...etc..??
Sorry, I do not remember. Been to long.Quote:
Originally Posted by caughtintheact
Clone - a byte for byte copy of the original drive/partition to a another hdd.
Image - is a slightly different type of clone that is usually in a compressed format that can be burned directly to cd/dvd or placed on a hdd. Some progams will even let you place the image on another computer on your lan.
Badly worded, but hope you understand the gist of it.
Using Norton's Ghost program, the act of ghosting is the method of copying the complete hard disk drive contents to another media such as a CD or network drive. Once ghosted, this image can quickly be distributed over several computers.
My favourite subject..
Recently I've started to think, we all use USB flash and external HDD's, but what if we lose one while on our travels. Is there stuff on there that you wouldn't want others to see. I don't mean anything illegal, I'm talking about your personal letters, bank details, pictures of your kids etc. To remedy this problem I've been encrypting mine with Truecrypt and I'd suggest you all give that some thought.
There are lots of other free encrypting software but I've tried Truecrypt and I like it. http://www.truecrypt.org/
Good points there!
Actually, that raises another very important point - if you use any form of encryption, then make sure that you have the necessary keys to decrypt it again.
If you use the built-in (or wish to start using) Encrypting File System (WinXP Pro only), then it is essential that you create a Recovery Agent Certificate before you encrypt any files. Otherwise, if you ever need to reinstall Windows, you will lose the ability to decrypt them and you can kiss the data goodbye.
Also, if you copy any encrypted files to removeable media such as CDR or floppy, then they will be unencrypted on the removeable media, as the EFS requires the NTFS filesystem (only available on hard drives).[/color]
Windows Encrypting File System
Inside Encrypting File System, Part 1
Inside Encrypting File System, Part 2
Step-by-Step Guide to Encrypting File System
How to back up the Recovery Agent for EFS
I have lost data myself through injudicious use of EFS. And all the backups in the world will do no good if they are in a form which cannot be recovered :eek:
Quote:
Originally Posted by caughtintheact
Hey CITA, you need to edit your XXClone link, it doesn't work the way it's typed becuse you make a ")" a part of the link accidentally.
Should be just www.xxclone.com
Url has been fixed.
It seems I, we, need constant reminding of this most important aspect of computing---Backup, Clone, Copy, image or whatever name you choose to call it but saving that which is on your present computer hard drive (if it is worth saving) is necessary. I have our three computers back upped up by using Acronis True Image 9.0 build 3677.
I cloned our full hard drives to a separate hard drive in a separate enclosure some time ago but never checked to be sure I could boot to the enclosure's hard drive. I have just finished checking one of the computers; powered down, pulled off the side of the case and disconnected the ribbon(cable) and the power from the permanently attached hard drive, hooked up my enclosed USB hard drive and then booted up just like I always do. WOW!! I was one more happy computer user.
Now I have finally proven to myself that my clone is bootable and my files, OS; are intact. I gotta thank those who have contributed to this thread and to Limerick for starting it :D
This thread has definately been instructional and useful. I certainly plan to buy a second hard drive to use as a backup and clone/copy my current set up to it as soon as possible.
Thanks for all the info guys and all the links to different programs. I don't know yet which I'll use but i'm sure which ever one it is will do the job reliably.
The first thing I do when upgrading to the new version of Acronis True image is make a Bootable Rescue Disk on a CD. I store all my images on an external USB HD. In case of a sysem failure I boot from the rescue disk. This ends up with the opening True Image screen in Safe Mode. I can the restore any image I want from any drive to any other dive. No need switching hard drives physically.
If the need to restore is for a reason less drastic than system failure I just start the True image then restore any image I want from the USB drive to any other drive, usually C:\
Buf...gotta question. When you booted up your back up hdd, did it look just like the regular hdd...meaning, did the desktop appear the same...everything exactly like the regular set up? It may sound like a silly question...but until I get another hdd ( will be ordering one very soon), I haven't had the chance to see what my one & only Acronis complete hdd back up does when I use it.
I have decided to use a second internal hdd for my hdd back up and I might see how the incremental backing up program works...sounds like it would be a good way to insure that the back up stays current...anyone have any experience with that process?
I will also...and have been already...be burning all of my pixes to cd's...especially the hand full of short videos that my daughter has been e-mailing me of my little Granddaughter Brooke...3 months old...Gosh, I miss her!!
Yes....thanks, Limerick for getting this most important thread going...it has really been the "jump start" that I needed!!
stevejr, if you could not physically see my USB external case and the USB connection to my tower box, you would not know the difference. :D Everything I checked, including current emails received, looked identical as though I was looking at the installed hdd in the tower box.
I was extremely happy to see the clone results. I wasn't sure of what I would see. Never cloned and checked using Acronis before. I am now a more entrenched user of this software.
BTW, I don't have a single problem using the external hdd in the enclosure and it only takes 3-4 minutes to actually set it up. And, my enclosure has a fan inside it.
Additionally, someone posted that he always burned a bootup disk when he installed Acronis. Well I also do that but the original CD will also boot the computer, if needed.
EDIT: Forgot to mention. I cloned a 80GB hdd to a 30GB hdd. This was possible because I only have about 12 gigs on the 80 gig hdd. Staples has a 100GB Maxtor for a net cost of $30 after their rebate. Perhaps you can then pick up an enclosure for $20-$30. A shop around and good luck.
Just to clarify the reference Nick made on post #18, ImageAll is a utility that works with one of Terabyte Unlimited's imaging programs. In and of itself, ImageAll would not be functional.
Since Terabyte Unlimited was brought up, their imaging software easily gets my highest recommendation. My favorite is Image for DOS. I have been using it for almost 2 years and have successfully restored from DVD images many times. It has ran on any PC I have tested it on and doesn't need installation.
Image for DOS http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image.html
Terabyte Unlimited does make a free utility to wipe or copy entire hard drives. Not what most of us want or need but it might be handy if replacing a drive that has grown too small. http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/copywipe.html#download
Buf...very encouraging to hear...I look forward to being able to try it out when I get another hdd.
Since I have lots of room in my case I think that I will just go with an internal hdd...I removed the hdd cage...mounted my one hdd across two small 1/2''wide blocks of cedar...and now I have excellent air flow from my front 120mm fan across the hdd...I can mount the 2nd hdd on top of the first by just using a couple of small spacers to keep the two hdd's about 1'' apart...and still have some room left....it's not high tech, but it works.
I may get a 120Gb WD Caviar hdd. I have the 80GB version now and so far it's been great...no problems at all...had it since last Spring...very quiet & cool. But I have also been looking at the Seagate's...haven't quite decided which way to go but I think that a 120GB will be plenty...the 80Gb would probably be plenty if all I use it for is to keep my main system backed up.
Opinions on hdd's?? :p