Backup/clone software for XP

clockworks · 09-05-2009, 10:07 PM

Had a close shave with my XP PC this morning - managed to recover by repairing Windows. After getting everything sorted, I figured I should make a backup!

I've got Ghost 2003 and Acronis TrueImage 8.0.
Problem is, I can't get either of these to work.

I'm trying to make a clone with Ghost, but the boot disk complains that there is no source disk available - apparently this can be an issue with SATA drives.

I can make an image file to a USB drive with Acronis, but the rescue media CD won't boot - gets so far in, then hangs, blank screen with block cursor in bottom left corner.

Is there a decent backup app for XP that works with SATA drives? I'd prefer to make a clone (internal or external disk), but an image that's easy to restore would be OK.

My main computer is an iMac, and I guess I'm spoilt by the ease of making a bootable clone with free software.

maddogb · 10-05-2009, 1:44 AM

why not just do it from windows with acronis?
you have attached a second drive to clone to?

clockworks · 10-05-2009, 6:36 AM

I can make the image from Windows, but there's no way of restoring from it.

I've been using Acronis for a couple of years on 2 desktops and a laptop, making new image files after any major changes. I've been happy using it because it's easy.
Yesterday was the first time I've had a problem that needed a full restore. I couldn't get the PC to boot from either the recovery CDs or the original Acronis CD.

After re-installing/repairing Windows, I reloaded Acronis and made a new recovery CD. Couldn't boot from that either. Hangs after loading most of the device drivers.
PC boots fine from the XP install CD.

If I stick with Acronis 8.0, the only way of recovering from a HDD failure would be to reload XP and Acronis, then try and restore. Long winded, and I'm not convinced that it would work.

Back in the day when HDDs failed regularly, I've used Ghost many times. On this PC, it won't see the SATA drive.

I'm guessing that the software I've got is too old to work with SATA drives.

On my iMac, I can make a clone to a USB disk. I can even boot and run OSX direct from the USB clone, allowing use of the computer until the internal HDD is replaced or restored. Shame this can't be done with windows boxes.

RG101 · 10-05-2009, 7:04 AM

Hi, you could try Macrium reflect free edition, I use this to make back up images, works with xp and vista, no problems with sata drives either. The rescue CD is a linux based one and is very easy to use.
The free edition works fine for me, they do a full edition with extra features as well but obviously have to pay for it.

link Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

maddogb · 10-05-2009, 10:35 AM

sorry i thought you meant simply disk cloning but the solution rg101 pointed out looks good will test it when i have some blank disks free.
btw most machines bios have a sata compatibility mode and don't normally require drivers unless this is turned off or you are using raid functions, consider using that
also don't forget if you have a seagate or maxtor disk their version of the latest acronis suite is available as a free download(disk wizard its called on there) and works on all disks as long as one of the above is attached to the system

clockworks · 10-05-2009, 6:32 PM

I downloaded the latest version of Acronis as a free trial - works perfectly. I've made an image to a USB HDD and restored it to a spare HDD. Boots and runs fine.

I'll look into the free Acronis from Maxtor - the spare HDD I fitted is one of theirs.

clockworks · 11-05-2009, 6:56 AM

I installed Disk Wizard no problem, but it won't run. Gives an error message saying "at least one Seagate or Maxtor HDD must be installed". I have got a Maxtor SATA HDD installed as "D" drive.
How do I convince Disk Wizard to recognise the drive?

maddogb · 11-05-2009, 8:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworks

I installed Disk Wizard no problem, but it won't run. Gives an error message saying "at least one Seagate or Maxtor HDD must be installed". I have got a Maxtor SATA HDD installed as "D" drive.
How do I convince Disk Wizard to recognise the drive?

is this a new maxtor hdd?, the newer ones have a model number beginning with "ST" not sure if this is the key factor but not had this message recently. might be another ahci issue if you can set compatibility mode for sata in bios.

clockworks · 11-05-2009, 5:45 PM

It's new-ish, I'm guessing new old stock since it's quite small capacity-wise. I intend using it a hot spare, so it only needs to hold the OS and apps, no media.
IIRC, it comes up with a Maxtor model number rather than a Seagate one.

Googling found me a fix - when the error's displayed, hold "alt" and type "t o", then enter. I'll try it later to make sure it works, then maybe look for a more permanent fix

clockworks · 11-05-2009, 6:36 PM

Just checked - the HDD is STM380215AS.

I've managed to create a boot disk, now creating a backup image.

BTW, the correct way to get past the error message is to hold "alt", then press "t o enter" then click OK on the error message.

Edit: Backup/restore worked perfectly using DiskWizard - thanks for pointing out this free solution to my problem, maddogb.
If you know how I can stop the error message popping up, I'd be grateful.

vsmora · 11-05-2009, 11:03 PM

If you want to keep using Acronis, then have a look at BartPE. This is a free boot CD which you create from your XP CD. The beauty of it is that you can add drivers for your SATA controller and can add plug-ins for extra facilities. Acronis provide a plugin for owners on their site, specifically for use with BartPE. You can take a backup to a USB HDD, and later restore it to a completely blank replacement drive.