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#4349871 - 04/08/17 01:51 PM Recommended cloning software? Backup software?  
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- Ice Offline
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I've been experimenting with Win10 Creator's Update as a clean install in my new NVMe drive. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to want to play nice with War Thunder or with Helios in one of my touchscreens. I'll be going back to Win10 Anniversary Edition after this post.

I'm looking for recommendations for (preferrably free) cloning software and backup software. I'd like to install Win10AE on my NVMe drive, get everything up and running, then clone this onto my old Crucial M4 drive. I'd then run some tests like boot up and games start to get an appreciation of the changes the new NVMe drive brings to my system. I'd also like to be able to backup my setup so that if things go wrong, I don't have to start from square 1 and install everything again.

So far, I've been taking System Restore points and System Image copies but I've never really used them to restore my OS; just wondering if there are better solutions available. Thanks!


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#4349879 - 04/08/17 03:36 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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I love free, open source applications.

However, one was so good that I bought the "Pro" version -- all features active, lifetime support, lifetime upgrades. They have a free version -- linked below.

Allway Sync Backup

Of course, I never ass-u-me I know best. There may be something better I don't know about.


Sapphire Pulse RX7900XTX, 3 monitors = 23P (1080p) + SAMSUNG 32" Odyssey Neo G7 1000R curve (4K/2160p) + 23P (1080p), AMD R9-7950X (ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 420), 64GB RAM@6.0GHz, Gigabyte X670E AORUS MASTER MB, (4x M.2 SSD + 2xSSD + 2xHD) = ~52TB storage, EVGA 1600W PSU, Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower, ASUS RT-AX89X 6000Mbps WiFi router, VKB Gladiator WW2 Stick, Pedals, G.Skill RGB KB, AORUS Thunder M7 Mouse, W11 Pro
#4349883 - 04/08/17 03:48 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Allway sync is great software for backups and differentials and I use it myself but it doesn't image/clone drives and if you don't buy the (admittedly cheap) license then its very limited.

For a freeware option I'd highly recommend Macrium Reflect Free. It has a great GUI and does as good a job and sometimes better than some of the payware big hitters with options to create recovery disks, backups/restores and clones of drives/partitions together with the ability to interrogate the image files from a Windows-esque interface.
It will also do differentials for scheduled backups.


On the Eighth day God created Paratroopers and the Devil stood to attention.
#4349897 - 04/08/17 05:27 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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I have always heard good things about Macrium Reflect so its probably a good choice.

I'm on Linux and Clonezilla
http://www.clonezilla.org/
is a standard Linux built software you can boot from a live disk or image and even built a 'cloning' machine with.

Note that Imaging is not the same as backup or syncing. Imaging is usually the whole disk.

I actually just use a manual backup. But should use Rsync as it is a standard also and very fast I read.
There are some tools for windows for it.

rsync
https://rsync.samba.org/

cwRsync - Rsync for Windows
https://www.itefix.net/cwrsync

Of course also some Cloud backups is something to look into.

There are also many Linux boot disks that actualy have Clonezilla and Rysnc of course and others built in.

All kinds of information about Linux from Distrowatch.

Distrowatch
https://distrowatch.com/

Turnkey Linux is another amazing quick way to backup and deploy images, including AWS services, etc.

Turnkey Linux
https://www.turnkeylinux.org/

#4349945 - 04/08/17 10:22 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Thanks for the recommends guys! I'll try out Macrium first.

Any tips for a newbie? biggrin


- Ice
#4349948 - 04/08/17 10:37 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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You won't need any tips mate, you'll be surprised how easy it is to use.


On the Eighth day God created Paratroopers and the Devil stood to attention.
#4349949 - 04/08/17 10:40 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Thanks Daz!


- Ice
#4350066 - 04/09/17 05:41 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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I've used Macrium Reflect to clone my NVMe drive onto my M4 SSD... done this twice and I can't boot from the SSD, I'd always get the NTLDR missing error. Should I be imaging the drive instead?


- Ice
#4350072 - 04/09/17 05:59 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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For "moving the operating system", I always use Windows System Image. It always works for me.

I use "backup software" just for backing up the "contents" of folders and drive -- never the system.

The operating system drive has 3 sub drives that have to be copied (at least mine do) -- two are nominally "invisible". Windows System Image knows to copy them. Then, the Windows Recovery Disk (or flash memory) software knows how to move them back or to a new drive.

But, I'm no expert at this. I just click and let the Windows built in apps do their thing.

FWIW smile


Sapphire Pulse RX7900XTX, 3 monitors = 23P (1080p) + SAMSUNG 32" Odyssey Neo G7 1000R curve (4K/2160p) + 23P (1080p), AMD R9-7950X (ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 420), 64GB RAM@6.0GHz, Gigabyte X670E AORUS MASTER MB, (4x M.2 SSD + 2xSSD + 2xHD) = ~52TB storage, EVGA 1600W PSU, Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower, ASUS RT-AX89X 6000Mbps WiFi router, VKB Gladiator WW2 Stick, Pedals, G.Skill RGB KB, AORUS Thunder M7 Mouse, W11 Pro
#4350075 - 04/09/17 06:15 PM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Is that Win10, Allen? I go to Control Panel and then select the Back up and Restore (Windows 7) option to create a system image, but for some reason, once I install GoG, it want's to back up the C: drive and the D: drive where GoG is. I have an older system image, but I can't figure out how to put that onto the SSD. I just might install stuff into the SSD manually at this rate.


- Ice
#4350119 - 04/10/17 12:18 AM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Yes, Windows 10. Windows 10 works like Windows 7 -- its not a Windows 10 feature only from what I can see (not an expert).

I have that issue also -- sometimes it wants to do a drive in addition to C:. i always figure it out at the time. It has to do with an active application on the other drive such that Windows feels its necessary to back it up also.

Sometimes I figure out the Application and remove it (then must reinstall on C:).

Often, I just go to Disk Management. I temporarily "Remove" the "offending" non-C drive letter. I use "Change Drive Letter and Paths". I select "Remove". That removes the drive letter -- and the drive is no longer seen. Or I often just change the drive letter -- that has the same effect.

Another way would be to open the case and temporarily unplug the data line and power to the drive. A drive that's not attached is not seen. That's probably safer. Though the above works for me.

I do the "System Image". I go back to Disk Management and reinstall the drive letter. Or plug it back in.

While this has never caused me problems to do the above, I am no expert. This is just "my way". It may not be ideal for every occasion.


Sapphire Pulse RX7900XTX, 3 monitors = 23P (1080p) + SAMSUNG 32" Odyssey Neo G7 1000R curve (4K/2160p) + 23P (1080p), AMD R9-7950X (ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 420), 64GB RAM@6.0GHz, Gigabyte X670E AORUS MASTER MB, (4x M.2 SSD + 2xSSD + 2xHD) = ~52TB storage, EVGA 1600W PSU, Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower, ASUS RT-AX89X 6000Mbps WiFi router, VKB Gladiator WW2 Stick, Pedals, G.Skill RGB KB, AORUS Thunder M7 Mouse, W11 Pro
#4350123 - 04/10/17 12:38 AM Re: Recommended cloning software? Backup software? [Re: - Ice]  
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Thanks Allen! I'll give that a try.


- Ice

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