What is the best sofware to backup an image of a hard disk of any OS?

rooch84 · 08-05-2004, 10:09 AM

I am looking for software that will allow me to backup an image of ANY operating system and put it onto a tape drive. I would also like to drop the image onto a new server of similar spec to save me from performing multiple installation.

Any suggestions???

Thanks

Chris

druisgod · 08-05-2004, 10:24 AM

For both Linux and Windoze - I'll probably get booed, however, Ive always used Norton Ghost. A similar thing for linux is Mondo Rescue LINK, which in my experience is a great backup tool if you install it on a distribution that uses RPM. I am using LFS right now and the install of some of its dependencies are such a headache, I just opt out for norton ghost.

Druisgod

BrianWGray · 08-05-2004, 10:29 AM

there is no reason to be booed, I use Norton Ghost several times a week and have had great success with its abilities. One thing you need to look at is the bug FAQ when you first start using it some hardware/software create "strange" situations. But for the most part Excellent software.

druisgod · 08-05-2004, 02:02 PM

I as just talking about the boo-ing part due to its closed source windozie roots.

Druisgod

theYinYeti · 08-06-2004, 02:49 AM

And dd? Aside from ease of use, are there limitations about it that make it unsuitable?

Yves.

rooch84 · 08-06-2004, 02:53 AM

I thought it was a forbidden word around these parts, you'll be glad to know that I wasn't my decision to use W***ows. Thanks for the advice, I'll look into using Norton Ghost.

Swift&Smart · 08-07-2004, 08:23 AM

I am quite disappointed that Mondo does not support NTFS format backup.

I recommend Ghost because it's really easy to use.And the new version of ghost (Ghost 9,maybe),will begin supporting incremental backup.It saves your time.

P.S. If you don't have a floppy drive or optical drive on your desktop/laptop,it would be hairy for you to backup your hard drive.Because the virtual partition will disrupt your boot table.

rooch84 · 08-09-2004, 03:28 AM

Please could someone give me some advide as to using dd for this. How would extrat the image onto a 'new' machines? And how do I make sure that the new machine is bootable?

Thanks

Chris