Disk clone or back-up

[bronan]

What is better, or what you recommend.
I wish to transfer contents of my actual HD to one external HD through USB to keep it there as saved and suitable to be transferred back to original HD or another one (new), later one.
HD is divided in three partitions and I have dual boot (G:\ 98 SE, C:\ XP Pro SP2 and partition D:\ as archive.
Besides to have source in case of PC crush, main purpose is if I change PC with more sophisticated one - to transfer data from external HD to HD of new PC through USB.
I have two options :
1/ to make a beck-up of the HD
2/ to make a clone of the HD
For this operation I am planning to use Acronis True Image 8.0
Any good suggestion is welcome.

 

[Sympology]

Do both if possible.

Use backup and resotre, but if that goes horribly wrong, you can use the image.

I really would bother cloning as default as you'll end up copying all your old crap across as well. Start with a nice shiney new system.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[wolluf]

Easy - create an image of the disk (or image of each partition) - you can use it to completely restore this or other disk AND you can mount the image within windows giving you full access to all the files if you need to just copy data back (I'm assuming True Image 8 has similar functionality to 9 and 10).

 

[bronan]

Thanks ,decide to create image of each partition - this should be the best solution , no doubt.

 

[NARSBARS]

I believe in doing both. I have had a HD totally blow up and in my case I was lucky enough to have cloned the drive the night before. Pop the case, change a cable and reboot. Back in business in a few minutes.
I run an external drive at all times to keep my current HD synchronized and this is a great data back up.

One other technique. I copy all software to a folder on my HD along with a text file with the key code if necessary and then install from there. If windows gets corrupt you can reinstall windows only. Save all your existing data files, reinstall and go in only a few minutes (he lied, it is hours).


NARSBARS