What backup program should I use?

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Acronis only restores to the backed up computer. I want backup software that will backup to a new computer. If mine crashes I will purchase a new computer. What program should I use? Thanks. Jay

I'm not aware of a *backup* program that will do what you're asking for. Moving software from one computer to another is typically way more complex than just putting the files from one computer onto another.

My recommendation for setting up a new computer is that you set it up ... install everything for that computer on that computer. Then transfer data
- perhaps using your backups. Most backup programs work fine for that.
- Leo

True, but I've seen more than one disc-imaging program which is designed to be used on a regular basis, and which claims to permit a "bare-metal restore"...that is, restoration of the disc image to a new computer, in case of complete destruction of the first machine. Any experience with these?

Thank you for the advice above. I found it by looking on the internet for the answer to the problem I found when My backup failed because of the fat 32 problem. When I first read your advice, I thought that my computer's hard drive was FAT 32. When I opened the command and inserted the request to reformat the internal hard drive I got a message saying that the drive was already NTFS. I then changed the command to drive E (which it was - an iomega hdd. I then got the message "The type of the file system is FAT 32. Enter current volume label for drive E:" I have no idea how to answer this. Simply putting in Iomega did not work> I would be grateful for any advice!! With thanks in advance

To Victor (November 9, 2008):
What you need (in addition to the backup software) is a program that can extend the system partition of your HD onto the unused space. Partition Magic can do it for $$, EASEUS Partition Manager can do it for free (if you're a home user).

I purchased a new 1.5 terabyte external hard drive, with the intent of backing up my extensive picture files created in Adobe Lightroom. I didn't want to use the "mirror" approach - just want to back up the actual raw (.NEF) photo files and their sidecar (.XML) files. When comparing the original non-system internal hard drive (G:)to the new external hard drive (H:), there is a 134 GB difference (i.e., G > H). Should I be worried that something didn't copy that should have? I can't "see" the 134 GB when reviewing properties...

In my opinion a better strategy with respect to PC backups is to create a backup image immediately after the PC has been re-installed and configured to your preferences. This is, if you like, a 'Clean System Image' and may be made using Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost, whichever you prefer. I then use a program called Syncback SE (which is a free download) to back up the complete contents of the My Documents Folder on to second hard drive. For most people this takes care of the majority of information that is required to restore their PC with an absolute minimum of downtime. The only other two things are e-mails, which Acronis TrueImage can backup on a daily schedule, or, if you are using Outlook, it is a relatively simple operation to export (backup) the .pst file, also preferably to a second hard drive. Finally the web-browser bookmarks should also be exported if you change these regularly. Whilst Acronis will allow you to make ongoing incremental backups, the great advantage of restoring a 'Clean System Image' is that you are not re-creating the issues which may well have caused the initial system crash, and gets you back to a lean, mean, fighting machine.

"...USB/Firewire Maxtor"...

It came up with this web page:

Not Found
The requested object does not exist on this server. The link you followed is either outdated, inaccurate, or the server has been instructed not to let you have it. Please inform the site administrator of the referring page.
************************************************
"... Retrospect...." Seems to be a Mac program only. Poor Windows. >(~..^)

All this is splendid information in case you need to back up your computer and obviously, protect your data and all documents; however, I did see mentioned that if the additional hardware was not available a "nearby computer" could do the job as well.

I know that there are backup packages will allow you to backup across a network. What are these and how is it done using Acronis?

Thanks a million for your feedback!

If you have lots of spare disk space on another computer and a fast enough local network then backing up to another machine is ok. Just set up a share on the second machine, connect to it from the first, and you should be able to backup to it.

30-Sep-2009

One thing I would love to have for my own system is a "restore inventory" i.e. a checklist like a pilot's checklist on all steps to get all my settings, bookmarks, screen appearance etc. back in place for all of my applications. That's a lot of work! Even for Dreamweaver, there is a huge amount of customizating I've done - replicating thatt isnever a favorite activity. Leo I would enjoy seeing an article on this and especially on how to backup and restore your WINDOWS settings; perhaps it could grow to a section about the same procedure for all major programs (I'd even be able to contribute for programs like firefox and dreamweaver). Thanks

I have purchased a new ACER AS5738Z Laptop but it only has a 250G SATA HDD. So I purchased a 500G SATA HDD for replacement. How can I copy everthing including the OS to the new drive??? ACER did NOT provide an image Backup of the drive.

I have a old hard disk of 2111mb, i want to creat a duplicate/ image hard disk with the same capacity or higher. and i want all my softare should be in working condition. i is having dos operating system, wheal alignment sofware is installed on it. please tell me how to make a duplicate hard disk for safety perpose.

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