system image(s)

[bassfisher6522]

I'm fairly new to the system image backups and how to use them. I also have some questions. The biggest two are; when you use an image to restore the system, isn't this just like using the windows restore point system that's built in? Does the system image format the HDD/SSD? Why are the system images so large. I've have Aomei and Acronis: Aomei's image is around 100 gigs and Acronis's image is around 60 gigs....so why such a big difference between the two? Both are complete system images that were taken.

 

[usasma]

A system restore point doesn't backup your files, while an image copies everything at the point in time when you created the image.

Images save more than restore points, but they take more room than a restore point does.

A quick read on the Aomei site says that it functions similarly to Acronis - so I'd expect the difference in sizes to be due to differences in how they store and compress the images. As it's proprietary info, I don't expect that there'll be much info available about this difference.

While I haven't tried Aomei, I've been using Acronis since the XP days and don't have any problems with it.
I've tried other imaging software and don't recall issues with it either - but then I haven't needed to use any of them in an emergency for a very, very long time.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Hey John....thanks for the info. My copy of Aomei Pro was a freebie...part of a promotional give away. I only had the 30 day trial of Acronis but I really did like it. I might just go ahead an buy the damn thing.

 

[usasma]

FYI - I haven't needed a system image since Win7 came out. At that point I decided to backup my data and custom settings - and then just reinstall "clean" if I had a problem.

I save my Firefox, Thunderbird, PopPeeper, and my special WinDbg DLL's along with my data.
It's a bit more work than restoring an image - but the installation goes much more smoothly and I don't have to worry if I included any corrupted/broken stuff in the image.

Good luck!

 

[bassfisher6522]

FYI - I haven't needed a system image since Win7 came out. At that point I decided to backup my data and custom settings - and then just reinstall "clean" if I had a problem.

That's exactly what I do and always have done....well then...no need to change.

 

[Fred Garvin]

Why are the system images so large. I've have Aomei and Acronis: Aomei's image is around 100 gigs and Acronis's image is around 60 gigs....so why such a big difference between the two? Both are complete system images that were taken.

It might be a difference in the the compression scheme between the 2 programs. I usually see about 40-50% compression in a new Acronis system image, IIRC. Just a tip for Acronis: Create a recovery cd and make sure you can boot to it And restore files. Acronis has taken a few steps back the last 4 or 5 years and their boot discs can be very picky with newer computers.

Also, I like system images for recovering from a hard drive crash or when employees really screw up a computer. They're quick and easy to restore and get you back to a clean state. I do them for every new PC I set up as well.