[T-Will]

Sounds like a good program!

This article brings up a question, how many of you guys have a separate file server set up in your homes? What OS do you run and what do you guys use it for?

I was thinking about setting one up as a backup and MP3 storage, but I'd like to hear what everyone else uses a home server for.

[T-Will]

Sounds like a good program!

This article brings up a question, how many of you guys have a separate file server set up in your homes? What OS do you run and what do you guys use it for?

I was thinking about setting one up as a backup and MP3 storage, but I'd like to hear what everyone else uses a home server for.

[Acronis]

Thanks for the kind words about Acronis True Image. The shortcomings experssed in the review and subsequent letters are being addressed at this very moment.

You are quite correct about Acronis True Image 6.0 not having a image verification tool built in. However, such a tool will be in the next version, which is due out soon. In the meantime, a free tool is available to registered Acronis True Image users from the Acronis Support Team. Just contact the team at support@acronis.com and request the check image tool. You will be sent a link and can download the tool.

As for the scheduler, that too is going to be in the next version. There will be many more new features, although I'm not at liberty to discuss them now.

Please check back with Acronis at www.acronis.com for information on the new version later this year.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by djtipmothee

This article brings up a question, how many of you guys have a separate file server set up in your homes? What OS do you run and what do you guys use it for?

I've tried a few, Windows 2000 Server, then Windows 2003 Web Server, but now I'm back to just plain Windows XP Professional on it. I have a 3rd party FTP server installed, and I understand how XP works - 2003 Server was a little much for my needs (and confusing to use). I have my machine connected with only two cables: ethernet and power. I use Remote Desktop to access it, so it can stay safely tucked away in the back room beside my router and cable modem. Works like a charm! I have 200 GB of hard drives in it, so I have enough space for almost anything.

[aviator]

I got this Acronis True Image after seeing it mentioned here a couple of months back and am well pleased that I did. Since then it has saved me alot of time on several occassions! I'm well pleased with this product.

[dhettel]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

I've tried a few, Windows 2000 Server, then Windows 2003 Web Server, but now I'm back to just plain Windows XP Professional on it. I have a 3rd party FTP server installed, and I understand how XP works - 2003 Server was a little much for my needs (and confusing to use). I have my machine connected with only two cables: ethernet and power. I use Remote Desktop to access it, so it can stay safely tucked away in the back room beside my router and cable modem. Works like a charm! I have 200 GB of hard drives in it, so I have enough space for almost anything.

I have a Toshiba Magnia SG20 server. It works pretty good for my purpose. It runs Linux. Looking at the SG30, think I'll get one when I can. It's my access point and my WINS Server, as well as my router.

David

[Bob Anderson]

After struggling to find a good backup solution for my home network, I decided upon Dantz's Retrospect. http://www.dantz.com/

It is a cool application, even with it's slightly confusing user interface. What I like most is it's network ability, scheduling ability, backup to CD or DVD, and self booting disks BUT most impressive is it's ability to not duplicate backup files.

What does that mean (duplicate backup files?) Well, let's put it this way... let's say you have three machines (two desktops and a laptop) and they all have the same fonts installed... when Dantz builds it's backup catalog it won't duplicate files it already has backed up if they are identical. So instead of having 150 fonts backed up 3 times on your home network, you'll only have one set of 150!!! Same goes with system files too; that's where a HUGE space savings can come from.

Of course, all this power is tempered by the user -- if all you is make backups to DVD, well, then it can't possibly use that "no duplication" feature... but all in all.. if you want a powerful application to do backups this is got all bases covered.

Oh... did I mention Mac support and data verification?

This is one amazing product. I couldn't believe all it could do until I got my hands on it!!!

[wilkinsjme]

I had this same problem. Were you trying to create a backup to an NTFS drive using the CD-R boot disk?
That is what I tried to do and have been told this currently isn't possible at the time. I've been able to image to a FAT32 drive with the CD-R though.

When using the CD-R boot disc, I was unable to back up a partition to another partition on the same hard drive - the error reported was that the "drive is read-only".

[clarkth]

I use Handy Backup v3.9 for weekly backups (I'm on the road most of the week), and Acronis for an Image copy of my entire hard drive once a month. This works out very well for my laptop and iPaq 2825 also as I connect it to my LAN and back them up once a week to an exteranl hard drive which holds all of my backups (disconnected when I'm not backing up).

[hshortt]

You know I need a tool like this and reading this review and the comments posted I felt that Acronis might be the software for me.

So I get the trial, install it, reboot and then it tells me it cannot create images of Windows Dynamic Disks, therfore, for me it's totally useless.

Damn thing.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by HShortt

So I get the trial, install it, reboot and then it tells me it cannot create images of Windows Dynamic Disks, therfore, for me it's totally useless.

Interesting - you're the first person I've heard of that uses Dynamic Disks. :-) I've always wondered about it, but I've never known enough about Dynamic Disks to know if it's a smart move or not (in terms of cost/performance/benefits).