Best systemstate backup program?

[johndoe24]

I searched CTH and found no posts related to my subject question. My operating system is Windows XP Pro Media Center Edition, sp2. I purchased an external hard drive a few weeks ago and have been able to backup my whole system a couple of times using MS backup software; however, every time the MS program finished backing up my data, a message would appear saying that I could insert a floppy in drive A:\ to create a systemstate backup/start disk. A:\ is a floppy drive. I want to use a CD or DVD to store bootup data on, but MS would not let me change the destination from A:\! I got pretty frustrated with the program and wanted to find out if anyone could either recommend another backup program (free if possible), or give me directions on how to program MS to do the job. ty

[degsy]

I would recommend Acronis True Image 10. It's not free, but is probably the best.


There are some free imaging programs available, but you usually won't get the features or usability of programs from Acronis, Paragon or Norton.

[johndoe24]

Thanks!

[JabberMan]

yeah true image 10 is very good, but you can get version 7 for free, and then update it to 10th and save about 20$.
True Image 7 Free (http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7)

[johndoe24]

I appreciate the info. I've already downloaded 7 and if I can get an adequate back up, I may not upgrade. Do you think ver. 7 will do the job?

[JabberMan]

I appreciate the info. I've already downloaded 7 and if I can get an adequate back up, I may not upgrade. Do you think ver. 7 will do the job?

yes of course, and here you can read very good tutorial (http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=1442933)about functionality of version 7, i guess you'll find it useful

[johndoe24]

I just finished backing up my c drive data onto an external hard drive using Acronis True Image 7. Now what? Do I need to format my c drive? If so, how do I do that and from where? Will Acronis do a format prior to restoring the data? When I booted up awhile ago using the Acronis boot disk, a menu came up with one choice for doing a restoration; however, that choice didn't include a formatting option that I could see. Please advise.

[johndoe24]

See new thread Acronis Restore