Drive Imaging Richard Woods March 14, 2008
Major Disaster Recovery What if? Major software corruption Hard disk failure You could spend 1-2 days to fix Install Windows, applications, drivers Download and install updates Restore backup files Configure personal systems settings Or you could use drive imaging software
Drive Imaging Software Copies complete drive image to another drive Drivers, Windows, applications, updates Data, personal settings, file structures Can backup multiple drives Backup location Internal, external or networked drive DVDs – several required Restore files or complete disk
Imaging Software Reviewed by PC Magazine - linklink XP and Vista compatible Some programs don't have all backup & restore features
Imaging Software Acronis True Image 11 Home - $33 street 3.5 stars & Editors' Choice Award Norton Ghost $43 street 3.5 stars & Best interface for non-technical users Paragon Drive Backup 8.5 Personal Edition - $30 street, 4 stars ShadowProtect Desktop $79 direct, 4.5 stars DriveImage XML – free, 3 stars Technical knowledge required
Types of Backups Norton Ghost Monthly scheduled - complete disk image Daily scheduled – new & changed files Event driven – new & changed files Manual – new & changed files or selected files Program automatically optimizes disk space by deleting oldest restore points Can backup multiple drives
Types of Recoveries Norton Ghost File - lost, corrupted, earlier version Simply retrieve file from backup Major software corruption Retrieve complete drive image May have to use emergency recovery CD Hard Drive failure Replace drive Boot from emergency recovery CD Retrieve drive image
Required External Drive Space Norton Ghost 40% average compression to save space Example: My 160 GB external drive holds 2 month backup for my 60 GB internal drive Recommend external capacity = 4X internal minimum