System Restore vs. GoBack
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Thread: System Restore vs. GoBack

  1. #1
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    Question System Restore vs. GoBack

    Hello I have used goback and was wondering if system restore in XP is basically the same, better, or worse? I am still using Win98. I'm open to your opinions. Thanks

  2. #2
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    Well, seeing as it is a symantec software it seems it might be a good program. I would probably recommend using GoBack because some types of viruses and malware can embed themselves in system restore files and make it a nasty bugger to remove.

  3. #3
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    GoBack is capable of doing more than System Restore.

    Windows System Restore basically looks after Windows and files that Microsoft somehow determined are important (who knows exactly what's on the list?) Because of this, System Restore doesn't always work. GoBack is supposed to do a more complete job. That said, if you do some web searches, you'll find GoBack has issues too, with users still having unresolved problems after a restore.

    IMO, although both have value, the best alternative is a disk imaging program like Ghost, True Image or Image for Windows. They take complete snapshots of data and allow you to archive the snapshot to another hard drive, CDs or DVDs. This gives you the ability to restore completely, independent of the main hard drive's "health". If the backup image is good, a restore made from it will put the PC back exactly the way it was before. (Which is a wonderful thing when you're trying to fix a mess...)

  4. #4
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    Good Morning Boomer 106,

    I agree with Han.

    I use Acronis True Image and it is the software that I would recommend.

    Symantec software products are known for taking shortcuts, which are definitely not in anyone's "Best Practices for software development". This is why I will not allow any Symantec product to be on any of my computers.

    The major problem with GoBack is that it writes to the master boot record. If you run another disk utility that expects the master boot record to be available for transient use and it is not, then this will cause your system to crash and it is f-disk time.

    Like I said I would recommend Acronis True Image software, which allows you to do full image backups and an unlimited number of incremental backups (based on hard disk space). Buying an external hard drive for this purpose would be a good investment and it works well with this software.

    http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimage/

    True Image System Requirements and yes it works with W98:

    http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...uirements.html

    Cheers,

    Linda

    Last edited by LindaHewitt; December 2nd, 2005 at 12:23 PM.

  5. #5
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    System Restore does have its uses, though it is very limited. Go Back is just a disaster waiting to happen IMO, I've seen some real horror stories over the years where folks have used that program and lived to regret it

    I'm totally in agreement with the others, an imaging app is the best option. And keep Sys Restore running for fixing minor glitches (but don't let Sys Restore take as much disk space as it wants - it is very greedy - 400MB is plenty).
    Nick.

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    Thanks to everyone for their replies. I havent had any problems with GoBack. The version I use was the older one by Adaptec. It's saved me some headaches. I was wondering if System Restore had made GoBack unnecessary.
    The main thing about an image program is the interaction needed to backup. I'm not real familiar with it so maybe it can be automated. I know having to physically burn it to removable media would become more laborious than it's worth. My pc is just a home pc not used for any kind of business and doesn't contain extremely sensitive data. I still wouldn't like a major problem but, I think you get the picture. Linda mentioned an external hard drive. That may not be so bad. Not sure if it's worth messing with though. Perhaps it's not as difficult or time consuming as it sounds.

  7. #7
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    Depends on several things. What you use the PC for and what you store on it are the biggies (IMO.) I use my laptop for general surfing, photo handling and some minor stuff I bring home from the office. HD space used up is around 7GB. I image my PC to 1 DVD and it takes about 20 minutes. By my definition, simple and handy.

    I have sometimes experimented with new software or made some changes that I later didn't like. Popped in the image and restored back in about 20 min. Good as new! I recommend imaging software to anyone that is happy with the way their PC is set up and runs and doesn't want to (or can't) take the time to start from scratch on a rebuild...

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    "I was wondering if System Restore had made GoBack unnecessary."
    The point is moot. System Restore is not a backup program, and is not intended to be used as such. It monitors system files and the registry in the event a bad installation or corruption renders your operating system unstable or disfunctional. The operating system can then be restored to a date when a system restore point was created. It does NOT back up or monitor data or programs, and is not intended as a substitute for a backup program.

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