Is a "full backup" the same as a disk image?
I think it is, but it seems you're using the term "backup" to mean both.
A backup in the traditional sense is a copying of files and folders without regards to anything but the file system that controls them, so that you can copy them back at a later date if you lose the file. Incremental backups just save files that have changed over time.
A disk image is a sector copy of the partitions & MBR of a drive such that you can recover or transfer an entire disk "as-was" in case of a crash or migration. There is no "incremental" in disk imaging in any tool I've ever seen.
Which leads to the question: if to you "full backup" means "image disk", does this imply that after you create the first backup (image), "incremental backups" will simply add to the disk image file? Or are they kept in a series of other files?
Not to mention you use the term backup for your cloud service. Everything is a "backup" with you guys!
See how this is confusing?
Actually Acronis make the distinction between a disk image an a files and folders backup. Though of late that has become blurred. Online Backup is really aimed at files and folders (True Image - ABR11.5 is different).
When a person indicates they have a "full" backup, what you believe they are saying and what they believe they are saying can be worlds apart.
To me, the statement "I have a full backup" is an incomplete statement without some kind of clarifier.
Is it
a full backup of a folder?
a full backup of a partition?
a full backup of several partitions?
a full backup of the entire disk.
If a person has incremental or differential backups, then they have the basis (full plus more) for a full backup--but again a full backup of what?
A "disk image" implies their backup includes everything on the disk so "disk image" should indicate a "full backup of the entire disk". Sometime you hear the term "disk mode" image(or backup) or "disk option" image (or backup)--all of which implies a full backup of the entire disk.
Within TrueImage Home most versions, the default backup settings is NOT a full backup of the entire disk----which many users may believe it is.
Sadly, too many users believe their backup is a complete backup when all they have is a backup of drive C and "maybe" it includes the "recovery" partition but sadly their backup may not include the non-lettered (often first partition) but it does not appear inside Windows Explorer. User has the responsibility of making sure their backup is fully complete. One way is to have a "disk image: backup while another way is to have individual backups of each and every partition. My preference is to have a multiple dates "disk image" backups--any of which can be used to create a new or replacement bootable disk.
One way of stating the type of backup so everyone understand your meaning is to indicate "you have a backup of the entire disk including all partitions including those hidden partitions.
For the new user and the experienced user as well, TrueImage does make it easy to have a full and complete backup but the user must know to make the right choices. In my opinion, this is an example of the best type of backup to have...
Or, if you want to make a full backup when booted from the TI recovery CD, this is an old example but still valid.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/guides/2010-ti…
As someone who only recently purchased TI 2013, I am very interested in the above thread, as I have become increasingly more confused with each post I read regarding the best method for backup. I am a long term PC user, but I am not a computer expert, and I have to say that I find the discussion regarding backups and backup strategies most confusing.
Surely everyone using this product wants the same thing i.e. a foolproof and reliable backup of their data which can be restored at will when required.
So can someone please explain if the process described above by GroverH is the best option to follow.
Rick, there are many ways to use True Image and many backup strategies. It's not "one size fits all".
I agree with Grover. Keep it simple, do a full disk backup of your system drive.
Create a full disk backup, selecting the checkbox for the entire disk (not just individual partitions). That ensures that you have everything you need, and you won't need to understand how the disk is laid out with possible hidden partitions. A full disk backup captures everything, and is the simplest, safest backup method.
Thank you tuttle, my gut feeling is that a complete disk image must surely be the best method.
Rick;
I basically agree with Grover and tuttle.
If you want simplicity -- do it their way.
As you mature, technically -- you may wish to consider alternatives to save time and space.
The only thing I was thinking about as a possible issue (and these days, it may not be) is what if the replacement disk has a different geometry
than the failed disk.
I suspect that issue has been solved by creating the image files in such a way as to be totally independent of disk characteristics.
Follow Grover's advice and you'll probably be OK.
Ray
The only thing I was thinking about as a possible issue (and these days, it may not be) is what if the replacement disk has a different geometry
That's a red herring. If by "geometry" you mean partition layout, it's irrelevant. Restoring a full disk image will wipe out whatever layout was on the target disk anyway.
tuttle;
I was thinking about things like sectors per track and tracks per cylinder.
I suspect that kind of "geometry" has been removed from our view through the use of intelligent controllers built onto the controller boards.
There was a time (not too long ago) when image backups could not be restored to a disk with different geometry like a different number of sectors per track.
Some image backups used to be done through the use of the controller's "track read/write" commands, so you can see the problem if the disk was different.
Probably not an issue today
Ray
I see. I haven't encountered that in restoring to different disks, but I don't know if they had such differences as you describe. Perhaps other MVPs can comment if they've experienced such issues recently.
Ray,
the IBM/Lenova ThinkPad is one of those laptops with special geometry.
The key is to take the backup while the old disk is still in place.
Then restoring or cloning,
insert the blank target disk inside the compute(same connectors as originals) and have the source disk be mounted in an enclosure or docking unit.
First boot after a restore or cloning is always with just the single new disk attached. Disconnect all other drives before first boot.
Index item 3-T inside my Guides (link 1 below) lists several postings about successful methods to restore the Thnkpad and its special head geometry.
Wow, I really struck a chord here! Seems Acronis needs to call an image (full disk or selected partitions) an "image" and all the other folder/file level stuff a "backup". That's why those terms came about in the first place. Thanks to GroverH for explaining what Acronis does not! :-)