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Prospective buyer who read all of the "horror stories" online about Acronis True Image 2015

Thread needs solution

To: Acronis Customer Support
From: Darren
Date: 1/19/2015
Subject: Does Acronis True Image 2015 software support Samsung's 840 EVO Solid State Disks?

* Computer Manufacturer: Lenovo
* Model: W530
* CPU: Intel Core i7-3740QM CPU @ 2.70GHz
* Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro K2000M
* Memory: 32 GB Lenovo 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3L-1600MHz SODIMM
* Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD
* Backup Storage: Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
* OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1, 64-bit

To be honest, I've spent months looking for a simplistic, one-click software program (like the Mac's Time Machine) for my Lenovo W530 (laptop/workstation) that will both do a "system image" backups and "data folder/file" backups flawlessly. Unfortunately for me, all of these Windows-based backup software programs on the market have a lot of good features and some minor/major drawbacks. Nothing in life is perfect - I guess. More importantly, I'm looking for a software program that can successfully and continuously validate (a program like checksum comes to mind) my backups for any errors without any false positives. There is nothing worse than doing a recovery and finding out the backup version is totally corrupted.

For my situation, I'm using this laptop/workstation for work and school. So, I don't have the option of leaving it on 24-7 with an external hard drive tethered to it. I'm glad that the Macrium/NoveBACKUP has the option of doing a backup, when the scheduled backup was missed. As part of my "laptop/workstation backup plan 2015," I will be using my Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive. My goal is to have a "bare metal" restore plan that will bring up my laptop/workstation system to the point before it crashed and became unbootable. Essentially, these are the things that I want to do for my laptop/workstation backup plan 2015:

* A "bare metal restore plan" that will restore everything including all of my software applications (like AutoCAD 2012). (Caveat - I don't plan on using a different a computer and/or changing the hardware for the system restore. For example if my SDD "bites the dust," I'll get a replacement. I have read where people have had complete nightmares doing a system restore on a different computer and/or there were hardware changes.)
* Streamline the backup workflow (KISS) process: monthly "system image" backup" and weekly "data folder/file" backups
* Limit the number of versions (5-10) Yes, I have a 2TB external hard drive, but I also need to be smart about disk space management.
* Focus my attention on the external hard drive not the internal hard drive of the laptop/workstation. I don't have the stomach, time, or expertise in tweaking the internal partitions. I'm trying to figure out the best way of formatting, partitioning my external hard drive to accommodate the "system image" backup" and "data folder/file" backups, while partitioning enough space for Seagate's mobile device and social networking backup applications.

I envision 2033 GB (~1.98 TB) for the backups and 15 GB for Seagate's social media applications.

I'm still trying to figure out if this could easily be done using Windows 7's formatting/partitioning applications. These are the steps that I see myself doing (simplified version):

1. Backup and format the external hard drive
2. Partition the external hard drive (for example Drive "X" and Drive "Y")
3. Start using it for the backups

* Once again, I want to find a proven, reliable backup utility that will get the job done the first time and every time afterwards. I have no qualms in paying for the software, as long it works (consumer reviews mostly positive) and the bugs have been resolved in a timely fashion.

I can now totally understand why non-techie people don't do backups - it's complicated.

Again thanks for the feedback,
Darren

0 Users found this helpful

I would suggest that you take some time and read some of Grover's guides. There is a virtual wealth of knowledge there about setting up various backup strategies. I am confident you will discover a backup plan that will fill your needs.

"Once again, I want to find a proven, reliable backup utility that will get the job done the first time and every time afterwards. I have no qualms in paying for the software, as long it works (consumer reviews mostly positive) and the bugs have been resolved in a timely fashion."