Survival kit and media builder, both needed?
Should I create both a survival kit and the media builder? I do understand that the Survival Kit will be stored on the external drive where I have the Acronis backup, and that the Media Builder can be stored on a USB thumb drive.
I already have the Media Builder created for my first backup.
I am confused about whether I need to also create a Survival Kit.
Could someone please clarify this for me?
Thanks.


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Thanks for your reply, but I guess I wasn't very clear with my question.
What is the difference between the two? Do they both do the same thing?
I don't have a preference right now as I have only made one mirror image backup.
How does frequency play a part in the decision of which tool to use?
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Both rescue media tools are essentially the same, just using different actual boot media, i.e. your external USB drive or a USB memory stick or DVD.
Using the survival kit approach only requires a single USB connection that is used both by the rescue media boot partition on the drive, and storage for saving backup files, or restoring them from.
Using a memory stick requires a separate device for storing backup files or recovering them from.
Frequency of use only really applies if you are helping manage a number of computers for yourself or friends / family etc. I keep a couple of separate backup drives for using when I am helping friends or family and make a backup before making any changes etc. This keeps my own backups separate from those of others. I also have a USB stick with rescue media that I carry in my laptop case which has various other tools on it for if / when needed.
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Sorry, but I have a couple more questions.
I have an external drive for the mirror backup. I plan to do the backup as needed. I do not plan to use the backup for incremental backups. I have the USB memory stick for recovery.
Will this plan work?
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Lynnea Kleinschmidt wrote:Sorry, but I have a couple more questions.
I have an external drive for the mirror backup. I plan to do the backup as needed. I do not plan to use the backup for incremental backups. I have the USB memory stick for recovery.
Will this plan work?
Your plan is good, Lynnea, as Steve already confirmed.
Just make sure to run a test whether you are actually able to boot from this USB - stick and get to the Acronis recovery environment. When you are able to get there, you are safe ...
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