1st time user of a back-up program as I used a tech to install Norton Ghost and do backups...should I do the same with Acronis
Hello, I have 4 notebooks and have 4 Acronis Home Edition 10 versions and am not sure if I should attempt to install them myself and then do the first back up or take the notebooks to a tech and get him to do it.
I have installed other apps. like Microsoft Office and did the updates and Adobe Photoshop Elements etc. but when it comes to an important backup app. I get very nervous since I have had 1 notebook crash in the past 10 years and so I know the importance of a proper backup and that they must be done regularly and I intend to do a full back up each time and not an incremental. I have a 500 gb ext. HDD.
I would appreciate experienced comments as I don't want to tackle something and make mistakes and not end up with a proper install and thus no 1st correct backup. I am totally inexperienced in doing such a project.
Thank you for your time.
Appa.
Appa,
If you take things one step at a time, then you will probably be able to accomplish everything you want yourself.
1. You haven't mentioned which operating system you are using, or if you have an external or internal drive as a place to store the images.
I would caution against storing them on CD or DVD, only because it is a right pain if you ever need to restore from them.
2. Make sure that your log on (especially with Vista or W7) has Admin permissions, it probably does, but double check under 'users' in control panel'.
3. Make sure you have removed Ghost from your system by uninstalling it. I've never tested to see if they 'play nice together'!
4. If you've downloaded the Acronis installer (I'm assuming you have v2010, version 10 is a much older version, correct me if I'm wrong), then run the installer program, when the installer asks you if you want to install for all users or just yourself, select yourself if you are the only person with their own log on on the laptop, if you have more than one log on account on a particular laptop then choose 'all users' instead. The only difference will be that if you install it as a single user only you will see the program and be able to run it (or someone using your log on credentials) whereas an 'all user' install will place shortcuts on every users desktop and allow them to run TI as they wish.
5. Log on to your Acronis account register all your copies of TI. Download and Install the SAFE media version of TI which will be under the Add Ons tab. Install this.
6. Next run the Media Builder option (with 2010 there will be a message at the top of the TI screen telling you you haven't run this yet), have a blank CD handy and follow the prompts to make a rescue CD (by default the option will be to show your drives Windows style, if it isn't selected make sure you select it over the 'display like Linux' option.
7. Once the rescue CD has been made, make sure your laptop is set up for booting from a CD (probably set by default, if not you'll soon find out and that can be changed by entering the computers BIOS. As you've had Ghost on there, you'll probably be already set up for booting from a CD). Reboot the computer and make sure it can boot from the CD and your mouse and keyboard still work. If you are using an external drive then make sure this is plugged in and switched on before booting from the CD. Make sure that True Image can see both your internal and external drives. If all is well reboot back into Windows.
8. Report back here if the above has been successful, and then actual imaging can be discussed.
***edited spelling and grammer**
Thx for the quick response. First, I apologize for not listing the OS...xpsp3. I will be using a Seagate 500 gig ext. HDD/
There is no back up app. on this notebook as it was on my crashed toshiba ( the Ghost) and I am not sure if the Bios has boot from CD enabled? I would have to check. I am not sure if this has to be 'bootable in a specific order'?....like boot by CD as second, third or first etc.
I likely will have to post after I create this CD and test it b/c I am not sure if I don't do the CD correct whether by using it to Boot whether it will mess up my current working notebook. This is why I was wondering if I should get someone to set them all up and do the first backup.
Yes to your question about the version of Acronis..it is Home Ed. 2010. I got the 4 at a good price and so decided to buy and pass up the 2011. Is there anything on the new version that would make this easier for me? Or anything significant in improvement over the 2010 version? Again, thank you for your time and interest, it is indeed appreciated as I don't want another crashed computer that I did not get into my techie soon enough so I missed a lot of files and photos that were not Ghosted.
Thus I want an app that I can use regularly and competently.
Appa.
Appa,
You might need to change the boot order in the BIOS or you might not.
Nothing can go wrong just by putting the CD in and seeing if it will boot your laptop. If you see any messages especially ones such as 'kernel panic' then note what it says after that and post it here. This just means that Linux (what the rescue CD uses) can't find a driver for part of your actual hardware.
If it boots and the mouse works once TI itself has started (the mouse can work when selecting True Image or the SAFE version, and the not work once TI is running), all you then need to do is select making a backup and you'll see if your laptop drive appears and then after clicking next, you'll see if your external drive appears. If they do, then just switch the laptop off or select cancel and seclt the option to exit to Windows which will be under the File menu.
Appa,
How far have you got?