Backup software question

If I'm not supposed to ask, somebody bawl me out, otherwise...

I'm looking at a backup package that puts a bootable copy of my system on an external USB drive - BounceBack by CMS. There seem to be some problems with it. Are there those here who think this isn't a good package?

BTW, this is the "Essential" version, not the "Ultimate" version.

JimLL

 

The backup USB drive booted fine, but then the installation apparently disappeared. I reinstalled, then the thing didn't even recognize its own backup and insisted on wiping it out.

By all backups I hope you mean all but those that don't work.

I'll have to add, "and those you can figure out." I bought Acronis. I have no doubt it is really great for geeks with super memory and multitasking skills.

JimLL

 

Hey guys and gals, I'd really like some genuine input here. The Store has software for sale - some at a discount - and I'd like to see something _FAR_ simpler than Acronis in there. But I'd really like to know if BounceBack has been overlooked or if it has been determined not to be up to MG standards. If no one in this particular section knows anything about it, would someone please tell me how can I get an authoritative reply?

 

Ive built a system simmular to dells 3 partition system

dos,windows,recovery

using a dos utility called savepart.exe

It will save to pretty much anything you want to save it to.

will recover as long as the recovered partition is the same partition number as when it was saved and is large enough to hold the recoverd image.

runs in full dos

free

 

I paid $60 or $70 for it. As I suggested, you have to know computers well to use it. I knew computers well enough, I was majoring in a double computer engineering/computer science degree but my memory is really shot after a stroke while I was actually taking those courses and the tiny degree of keeping track of lots of bits and pieces at one time went with it. While reading page 2 I can't remember what was on page 1. I can't do math any more either and I was once top in my state.

I've been around enough decades to know that the smarter people are the less they can grasp even a little of how hard it can be for other people. CMS's Bounceback had another name at one time, but surprise, I can't remember what it was.

As I said, I'm well aware that Acronis is great for people who can manage it. But not everyone can and that doesn't mean they are lazy as I've heard suggested many, many times. Some of us simply need much simpler programs, and Bounceback is that.

Why doesn't Acronis make their software easy to use and make it so it DOESN'T NEED that CD to even be made? CMS worked it out so the backup hard drive is bootable - either on the USB or actually to replace the existing system drive. Why can't Acronis do that? Why does it have to be something written by programmers to impress programmers?

Thank god, some developers are beginning to write programs you don't need to take classes to use them.

 

Windows Home Server does backups, you do need cd boot cd to recover, but you could make *any* cd into a bootable USB drive via Flashboot.

 

I already asked that question myself and with very good reason. CMS Bounceback makes a bootable copy of your main hard drive to a USB external (even puts it on a larger drive if you want) and installs a dual boot to it. If you are busy you can instantly restart and select to boot to it with it still in the external (assuming the right hardware), or you can put the external into your computer as a total replacement and go with it.

Acronis is way behind the times. It seems odd being 71 and telling people to get modern. I'm glad I deleted it from my system and threw away the CD's, and years ago already I was tired of people telling me I would find it easy if I really tried. I left an operating system years ago (which was better than windows at the time), because it required bits and pieces like boot CD's and I couldn't do it anymore and was poor at my best.

Now who can I talk to to get MG to check BB out?

 

I already said why. In the event your current drive goes south. I don't understand why that would be hard to grasp.

But that doesn't prevent incremental backups and partial restores. I don't understand why anyone would assume that either.

The other, higher priced version has more diddly buttons than I would even know what to do with.

Another thing. As is obviously necessary for this kind of setup, files on the backup drive are not turned into something unrecognizable. There is a real copy of your hard drive there and you can use it however you want.

 

Hi Jim,

I completely understand what it's like to have a useful program but not be able to use its features. I know a bit about computers, but definitely DON'T know a lot more. However, I really don't know ANYTHING about vehicles... I'm doing good to change my own oil. What I do when I can't figure something out, though, is Google for tutorials.

One tutorial I found for Acronis is here:

http://www.davescomputertips.com/articles/general/how_to_use_acronis_true_image.php

I suggest that you print that out if you can afford the ink/paper, as reading hard copies imprints memory better (you mentioned having memory issues) and is easier than reading on a screen. Not only that, but it's easier to flip through a book to find something rather than search for it on a screen. It does have several images in the tutorial, so it might eat some color ink.

That's what I do, is print out tutorials, especially on something I'll need to refer to again and again (you're not the only one!). You paid for the program... use the internet's bountiful free help to use it. I guarantee you will feel more at ease about your backup solutions, and at the same time feel a sense of accomplishment.