home businesses are great coz you can manage them in the comforts of your own home and it is not very tiring.:'

Was working great until the program froze and crashed causing loss of data on both the source and the target drive. I have been building my own computers for over ten years and never seen such a royal foul-up of data backup. I still have no idea what happened, but I am sure I will NEVER use this product again, free or not. Thanks for helping me lose years of data in the form of documents and manuscripts!

To #93: For Win XP, the files in My Documents are probably in
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents AND in
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\My Documents.

To make life easier, you can create a folder in C:\ and name it
John's Documents. Then move everything you want from the above 2 folders to the new one.

My version of XP automatically reset the "My Documents" link from the above 2 folders to the one C:\Steve's Docs.

#96 fubar......Whoa! You are scaring me.

YOU ARE MAKING TOO MUCH SENSE!

Lots that needed saying. Good for you.

- To backup your Favorites settings from IE using Titan Backup, when creating a task, on the Source tab, click User Settings, scroll till you find Internet Explorer and check it. Or expand and select Favorites. The plugin for Internet Explorer offered by Titan Backup will do the rest.

- Large ZIP archives can be split, and the extensions are Z01, Z02, ... and so on. So this is no a proprietary format but the standard ZIP zplitting. You can browse these files and extract from them with any zip program ( WinZIP ).

- Intalling and activating the program now, allows you to make any future updates. So for example when release 2.2 is available you can safely install that one too without the need to re-register.

There's a reason why BladedThoth rarely posted comments other than links to his reviews--it's not worth the time or stress.

There're so many senseless, inaccurate, and duplicate comments today, it's just ridiculous.

For the numerous posters who were afraid to install this for fear of losing their previous Titan Backup settings, use some common sense. Does it make sense for a company (other than Microsoft) which produces backup software to tell you about a new version, and then have the update destroy your previous settings? Does it make sense to uninstall the previous version and risk losing your registration and settings? Use your brain.

For the people comparing this to Windows Backup, there's no comparison. Windows Backup has almost zero features, and doesn't backup Windows.

For the people comparing this to image backup applications, as myself and many others have noted, the products serve different functions. #71 and #73, mike, your comments are absolutely incorrect, as usual. Some imaging products can retrieve individual files easily. Titan Backup isn't designed to, nor is it capable of, backing up and restoring Windows. It's specifically designed to backup user data and certain user settings. I'm not going to go into the endless issues related to backing up and restoring XP and Vista. Some of the the things which a user-data backup product like Titan Backup doesn't generally handle include the master boot record, file placement, access control lists, alternate data streams, file attributes, and on and on. #58, G, this doesn't make boot disks or use proprietary formats. #66, Skeptyc, no point in cluttering the comments by copying an obsolete review which someone else linked way back at the top of the comments.

One of the useful features of Titan Backup which no one has mentioned is its ability to backup to multiple drives/partitions. This is handy, if, for example, you plug in multiple low-capacity external USB drives to backup onto.

Self-extracting archives are generally a bad idea, as Windows has a 4GB executable size limit. The open-source 7-Zip can show you the contents of a self-extracting archive without extracting the files.

Some people complained about proprietary extensions on data backed up to CD/DVD. Since I don't use that feature, I can't say for sure, but it was probably enumerating the pieces of a .zip archive which was split across multiple CDs/DVDs (in which case, you can just do a binary data append--even the ancient DOS/Windows Copy command, via the command prompt, will do that). Even if it does split unarchived files using proprietary extensions, you can just download and keep a copy of Titan Backup. Even without registration information (which you could keep), it functions as a 15-day trial, so you can always restore your data.

For backing up settings related to a number of specific applications, use the Email and User Settings buttons. As Universal Cynic mentioned, that's where your browser settings are (easier than digging through the folder tree).

#93, John, the Documents folder is in different places in XP and Vista, but I think they both generally start with C:\Users\username (dig through the folder tree--it should be easy to find). In Vista it's generally C:\Users\username\Documents, and if I recall correctly, I think its generally in C:\Users\username\Documents and Settings\My Documents in XP.

#95, Judy, yes, Titan Backup will work without the .Net framework. However, many things in Vista aren't going to work without it. Download and reinstall the relevant version(s).

Great timing! After my Net framework was knocked out, only Titan worked! Both Vista Back-up and Macrium reflect failed to function.
Thanks do much!

@86 Powder Skier,

Check out this link ( copy & paste it ) regarding Version 8 being free http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm

As you will find, the offer has now expired, however, by doing a google search ( as I have done before ), there are free offers available for version 8 from time to time. You will not find the offer on the Acronis web site. Persevere and you will get it free.

Good luck.

@#75. The favorites menu is actually made up of files and folders. You can find it (default location) by opening My Computer and typing %userprofile% in the address bar. Just backup this folder. For me, I just use IE7Pro plugin for IE7 and synchronize to an online server. So, I never lose them as I also make backups locally for the Favorites. You can add the Favorites folder in Titan Backup easily by using the User Settings button when creating new backup. It can detect for IE as well as Firefox bookmarks. Don't even have to know where to look for the folders.

One more note, when I ran prog on the Vista laptop, the first thing it wanted to do was install its update and as I did with xp machine, I let it send me to download and install update, to see if it would or not, and it successfully downloaded, installed update, and correctly shows the program registered with proper serial number.

So this experience with titan backup installing and registering turned out VASTLY SUPERIOR to my last frustrating experience when the prog never was able to recognize itself as registered from day 1 no matter what!

Thanks GAOTD and thanks to the developer of Titan Backup for making the program able to successfully register and recognize the serial this time around!

Happily, the program also installed itself and showed as registered on my second hard drive in my xp machine as well (I install things that are good on my 2nd hard drive as well as my first one because when I get the pc my 2nd hard drive came from, running again, I want to put the 2nd drive back in that pc and still have my good progs for that pc when it is running again)

Strangely when I installed it on my vista laptop, it came up saying serial was blocked. Then I realized it tried to activate using the OLD serial from the past version that never had correctly registered itself, and had to use CHANGE SERIAL to put in the current serial. After that, it wanted me to reboot pc, and after reboot, when it came up wanting me to click on register and activate, I did so and it showed the program correctly registered and activated under the current serial.

Why it required me to input the current serial and reboot to activate it on Vista whereas on xp it automatically was able to activate with current serial etc without reboot, I don't know, but perhaps my info will help someone else who has Vista and a prior version from the last Giveaway that refused to ever show itself as registered.

I was glad to see this offered again as the one I had from last giveaway never was able to recognize itself as being registered!

This one surprised me because when I opened "about" , the window came up showing the software registered to Spiritwolf (whereas I expected to have to put in reg number and name myself) and the registration number already showing!

Also as soon as I ran the program, it wanted to download an update and just to see what it would do, I let it download the update and install it and the update did dl and install.

Time will tell how well it performs and if it continues to remember itself as registered, but so far, it sure started out as a pleasant surprise and a big improvement over my last experience with it!

@32 Renegade

I am just a puny technical writer with only 7 years of experience. Unfortunately, my works were previously reviewed by dummies as some of the best although I am not a native English speaker. It has clouded my judgment until your wisdom have shown me my true pitiful worth.

Thanks for the support, Renegade. You're the best writer in the world. You can burn ideas into your readers' minds with few words. In 1009 words I managed to cover only 18 points while in a short span of 98 words you managed to cover an astounding 2 points plus some ramblings. After all, when getting technical ideas across to non-techies, word count is after all more important than comprehension...

I took my time to write that review for the benefits of readers here, especially those who aren't sure about backup software so they won't miss the chance to get this excellent tool for free. You don't have to hurt my feelings...

#79 I use XXClone without fail monthly, especially when it comes to saving GAOTD programs. Though I back up my important documents to an external drive and cd's I still use XXClone to create a self bootable hard drive with my main drives contents on it in case it ever fails. What's nice about XXClone is you can even copy the MBR, ID and more under cool tools so that my computer thinks it's the original drive. I store it in a fire and water proof safe, and my computer is set up to where you can pour water over it and it will survive. I keep it at least four feet above the floor, and have a special made cover that allows venting and use of cd ram drives yet they'll close if anything (Like water) hits those areas.

#81 - "...they offer an earlier version ( version 8 ) for free. " WHERE, what URL to download? I've looked on the company website and Google, no free version 8. Sounds like using Titan and version 8 would be a good combo, until Titan gets their own imaging in a future release. Thanks!

total newbie to backup security--what would be the route for windows 2000, with external hard drive that has Acronis (8)?, that hasn't been used since the tech guy that installed it and made the image last year?
I am really afraid of doing something on the computer that I don't understand, and that will mess it up.

It looks like get rid of Acronis, get Macrium, and use Titan for backup to media? So I have extra hard drive back up and cd file back up? Not sure if Macrium will even work for 2000.

can the titan back up to 5 1/4 " floppies faster ? sure would be good .. sure lerned stuff from you xperts .. and nice to take time from yer bizy skedules to help us amatours ..
willie

#70 I also wish people would read the comments before they add their wisdom. As stated in comment #65 a backup without compression saves the files in a proprietary format of Z01 not a zip file that can be opened by any zip program. So it appears that if you save to DVD's and have the backup broken up, you will need Titan to retrieve the files.

For the same price; you may like to have look at HDClone v 3.6 standard for an imaging program - or HDClone v 3.6 basic for half that price.

I haven't updated since v 3.2, because it's really quick and reliable.

@61 Jon

What a load of nonsense, every word.

If you did some research, you will find Acronis is the leading Image program and for good reason.

Your information is very misleading and people if you want a fail safe Image backup, they offer an earlier version ( version 8 ) for free. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but is full proof except for the old days when burning to disk was a problem as often it would claim the disk is bad or corrupt. I still use it to this day ( after 5 or 6 years ), along with version 10.

Acronis support center is top rate as I had a minor issue with version 11 not scheduling ( but easily overcome ), BUT, at my request, I asked for the previous version ( version 10 ) and they happily provided it at no charge and I still have version 11 as well. What more could one ask for !!!!!!!

I no longer use Version 11 as it is too bloated now with far too many unnecessary extras.

My apologies to everyone as this is off topic, however, scandalous claims from Jon needed to be addressed. Jon, perhaps your approach to Acronis was offensive to them and in time, they decided to ignore you as their service is top rated in EVERY regard. They are very patient people, but will only tolerate so much abuse. The way you described your issues, sounds like you were the problem from day one when you state " The response time to get it installed and semi working was 2 months "

Quote:- "Steer clear of Acronis at all costs". Jon, you stay well clear and people, you decide for yourselves.

Have a great day and apologies again for being off topic.

I feel for the loss of gathered over time internet favorites. On XP, any version their in C:\Documents & Settings\User Name\Favorites. Copy & paste them into a folder you will need to make in My Documents. Keep them updated and burn them on a CD for an extra copy that you can't loose. Better yet, a travel drive.
Titan or any other file backup programs all have the ability to backup everything in My Documents. Some others can get them from the default location I described above.

What about XXCLONE, free for personal use?



http://www.xxclone.com/




The simplest and fastest way to clone a Windows disk.

It can compete with Norton Ghost, DriveImage, MaxBlast but it's much faster than any of them in typical daily backup.

I think it's much better than TITAN BACKUP 2.1!!


What do you make of it guys?


Waiting for your feedback!!


Cheers.

Giovi from Italy!

I installed Titan at the earlier giveaway and reading the above comments about the updates, I just opened my copy to see what version I had. Titan informed me that uodate 2.1.0.73 was available and did I want it.
With a new giveaway today, I wasn't worried about losing the previous free GAOTD registration so I checked OK. It updated the previous installation and the serial number is either unchanged or was updated automatically. So Titan would appear to be a REAL giveaway… with it's own automatic updates!
And to all you guys who post whining comments and inane questions without reading the previous posts... just email ken kelly (today's moronic offering is #6) and we'll kill lotsa birds with one stone.

This is likely to be a very useful program for everyone out there, especially if you are using nothing right now. Just get a good external hard drive for the backups and away you go. You can even have it forever to install again if needed since it comes with the serial number and you can download the installer direct from their web site. So enjoy.

My first comment, people! I love GAOTD for several reasons, but most importantly for the free software and then for the knowledge that one can gain by reading insightful reviews, suggestions, and comments!

Aside from that, I have to say that you all have to use your COMMON SENSE before you communicate! So, here it is:
1) Firefox has automatic spell check when you type text, use it. It does not hurt that much to proof-read as well (copy and paste in a word processor with spell and grammar check and give it once-over. If you are not a native English speaker, as in my case, or you did not pay much attention in school [as you should have], the occasional mistake or typo is OK (just chill!).
2) Google is waiting to become your friend when you have off-topic questions or want to explore specific issues in detail. Befriend it.
3) Read the "Readme" file before you install, every time.
4) Read all or most of the comments before you express your opinion; the likelihood is that someone else had already raised the same issue, or an answer had been given.
5) When there is a Serial Number/Key in the "Readme" file or after you install and active the program (in the registration section of the program), the [very high] chances are that you can download the program from the developer's site, install it, and register it with the GAOTD key-- whenever you want (today, tomorrow, in 5 years). According to the testimonies of others, this is the case with today's offering!
6) If you need to have a backup of a program given here (or somewhere else), open your favorite [high storage] e-mail program, copy the key [if known/available] in the text box of the e-mail, and attach the installation/setup file (20MB is a standard attachment limit for most free e-mails) that you went and downloaded from the developer's website; or use your preferred online storage to upload your program-related files there; or backup them up the way you do it. Period.
7) Please use Common Sense (Think), Logic, and Constructive Criticism.

Thank you for your attention!
Mr. Common Sense

The only way to avoid using needing this program (or others like it) is to be really silly and never back up your data.
The only problem I found was when my hard drive totally died and I could'nt get it to restart to get the data from it.
The money is best spent on a spare external hard drive (two even!) if you want to be over protective.
I like this program all the same as I can back up to my spare external drive then again on my other!
Sure I could simply back up from one drive to the other but zipped up saves a heck of a lot of space.
Still worth the download if only to back to CD or DVD R discs.. Go for it, don't be left having to hunt or re-write all your data!

#60: Robin, if you want to restore the entire drive, it’s possible with a program like Titan, but you have to do extra work setting the disc to boot into Windows [certain files have to go in certain places]. Creating a disc image on-the-other-hand, you can restore the drive with just a few clicks. Personally I create a disc image about once a month, then do smaller, zipped file backups much more often - that way I think I get the advantages of both types of backups.
---
#58: It’s just a zipped file, without any special format really, & definitely not proprietary.
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#55: “...it wouldn’t uninstall”
Program installation is pretty well behaved - if uninstall won’t work, 99.9% of the program is removed if you delete the program folder and the start menu icons or shortcuts.
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#53: While I suppose it’s possible that the program might get registry or other live files wrong, the files are just zipped so never need anything special to unpack unless you used AES encryption.
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#44: I recommend having a full image backup as well as more frequent, smaller backups using Titan to archive critical files/folders - zipped archives will not easily handle disc prep to boot into Windows. Or, a lot of people would just re-install Windows to get the boot part working, then restore. To unpack the files, as has been commented very frequently, any program that can un-zip zipped files/folders.
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#28: Titan does a CRC check for every file copied, so I’d imagine less risk than a standard copy outside of Titan. BTW, Firefox has a spell checker built in.
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#12: FWIW, I’ve used zip compression to archive files since it was a command line (only) utility more than a decade ago... I’ve seen the media zipped files are stored on go bad, but I never have seen a file corrupted by the process of zipping it, & I’ve probably done 100s of millions by now.

Geez, Use whatever you like to backup your stuff, use several different ones, make lots of copies. Just BACKUP!

This works, does what it says, lets you schedule stuff and ftp it off to the world.

It's probably not the best solution for system backups, I and many others prefer a complete image for that sort of thing. Windows is way too fussy and messy about where stuff gets put for me to have much confidence in my ability to restore a system from anything but an image.

Backups are insurance, and how much insurance you need is highly dependent upon the value of what you're insuring.

I have clients who use their machines strictly for email and browsing.

They need very little backup, bookmark files and that's it for some (using only online mail.)

I have clients who have their entire business and personal lives stored on their machines.

They get system images periodically, multiple daily backups of changed files, and multiple copies of everything both locally and on multiple off-site backup facilities.

Remember that it is seldom 1 thing going wrong that causes nightmares, it is more usual for a sequence of individually unlikely events to cause the world to disintegrate around you.

Off site backup is a good thing, but keeping a set in your house, 2 miles from your business may not protect you from flood, fire, tornado, hurricane or earthquake.

WHERE is your off-site storage located? How & when and where is IT backed up?

It has been common for larger companies to maintain relationships with multiple long-distance carriers in case one should fail. But there are a very limited number of places where LD lines cross the Mississippi River, and all of those companies lease line bandwidth across them--thus having multiple providers is not a backup under certain situations.

Storing copies on different hard drives in the same machine protects you from some types of disasters, but not others. Storing copies on an external server located in your own city is better, but still leaves you open.

VERIFY your backups!

I recently lost a semi-important data file which I had been regularly backing up--but the backup routine accidentally stored them on the same drive--drive died, backups were worthless.

Make sure that the data resides where you think it does, and verify that you can recover using the backup. BEFORE you NEED to!

If by some odd chance your data is illegal, you best think twice about how and where the backup is stored (as well as the original!) And how it is transported--remember that every server your data passes through potentially has a copy traceable to you!

There are 2 basic kinds of hard drive back-ups: 1) programs like Ghost or Paragon’s Drive Backup copy the actual data stored on the hard drive - they don’t *see* files & folders, but 1's & 0's, and 2) programs like Titan Backup, which does see files and folders, and copies those. Both types have their pros & cons - which one you should use, when, depends on your purpose...

Both types will back up a full hard drive - Titan isn’t just for a few files &/or folders here and there - but the second type like Titan makes it easy to restore just 1 file if that’s all you need. This sort of backup is cool if you install a program for example, & need to get back one or two files it replaced - just open the backup file using Winzip or Windows Explorer etc... Try this with a disc image backup & good luck - at the very least it’s more of a hassle, mounting the image and trying to extract just what you need. Storing actual zipped files & folders can also be a bit more foolproof - if you haven’t gotten around to backing up your system for quite some time, it’s easier to not write over updated files. Titan Backup in testing was a relatively fast, easy to use program that does it’s job extremely well - I’d rank it better (higher) than similar software that comes with Nero & Roxio.

The Ghost-type program is faster, and better suited (maybe really only well suited) to replacing everything on your hard drive. Often you don’t have to... If a software update or crash screwed up Windows, most of the time all you need is 3, maybe 4 folders: Windows, Documents And Settings (Users & Program Data in Vista), and Program Files\Common Files. On one of my discs with XP Pro installed, storing 3 folders using Titan means storing less than 3 gig, versus 15 for an image. Maybe I could do the same thing with image files, but with Titan it’s much easier, & restoring from that backup will be easier too.

[A quick tip: to restore complete “Windows” & “Documents and Settings” folders from a Titan (or any zipped) backup, restore (unpack, expand etc) the folders to your drive renaming them something like “1Windows” and “1Documents and Settings”. Then starting your PC from a boot disc, rename the existing two folders “2Windows” and “2Documents and Settings”, then rename the restored folders removing the 1. Reboot into Windows, & if your problems are gone, delete “2Windows” & “2Documents and Settings”. If not, you can put things back by renaming the folders again. It’s MUCH faster & easier renaming a couple of folders while running off a boot disc than copying or restoring a huge number of files outside Windows.(especially in DOS or Repair Console). ]

I wish people would read all the comments before asking the same question over and over again about restoring...
This program backups up (with or without compression) TO A ZIP FILE so you can use WinZip or 7-Zip to restore your files!

That is probably about the 5th time that has been said to the approx 10 people that asked that same question.
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS BEFORE ASKING, PEOPLE!

This one AND East-Tec are great backup solutions. (East-Tec is the one I chose to buy after trying both from GAOTD, because of a special they had earlier this year.) Thank you to GAOTD, for re-introducing this to new users here.

Those pointing the way to Macrium Reflect have given a great tip. It's available in both free & a pro version for $39.95. It does data backups and drive imaging. It works like a champ on XP & Vista. Theres even 64bit versions available
Another choice is as stated in earlier posts, Norton Ghost & Acronis True Image but I wouldn't use Acronis if they gave me a free, lifetime update program. It's no more then Migraine Headaches with horrible tech support & it can crash a Windows System as easily as finish it's set tasks.
I installed version 2 of titan backup back in March & was not at all impressed. Especially when I upgraded my hard drive from 250 to 500GB and had to recover my data from DVD's I made.
Being familiar with Norton Ghost from version 8 that I bought a couple of years ago, thats where I want for a professional backup/drive imaging software.
That being said, I have no need of another, especially one that I tried before & would not recommend buying. Besides, Any upper grade of Windows XP or Vista will do this as part of the system.
Links to Macrium Reflect are as follows:
Free) http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
Pro) http://www.macrium.com/

If you like it buy it, that's the idea.

Well, I installed it, but it will not run.
It says something about disabling Windows Debuggers for "Security" reasons.

I don't have any debuggers running.

Oh well...

Here is PC WORLD MAGAZINE review Of Titan Backup from June 10, 2008:

Editor's Review of Titan Backup

"Having reviewed literally dozens of backup programs, I'm not easy to impress. However, I was impressed with Titan Backup. Though it's missing the ability to back up open files, and there's no imaging, it has just about everything else you could wish for in a backup program. The interface is also one of the best I've seen--an intuitive combination of tabbed dialog and set-by-step wizard that I have only a minor quibbles with.

Titan Backup's performance and abilities were pretty much on par with other second-tier backup programs. You can opt for plain file backup, backup to a zip file, or backup to an executable zip (with a 4GB size limit--a zip limitation). Options include 256-bit AES encryption, the ability to run other programs before and after the backup, and username/password entry for backing up to protected network locations. The password didn't work with my Synology DS508 NAS box when the destination was a password protected folder, however, I'm more inclined to blame this on the box which has a somewhat odd security implementation. There were no problems backing up to public folders, hard drives, flash drive, CD/DVD, or via FTP.

Other features include notification emails (with account settings), syncing of folders, a comprehensive scheduler, command line execution and some very nicely written help files. There's no support for tape, but on the consumer level this is a non-issue these days.

As to those GUI quibbles, they were as petty as wishing the company had put the "Edit Task" button on the upper tool bar with "Delete" and "Import Task" configuration buttons instead of with the primary operational "Start" and "Restore" buttons on the side panel.

Though Titan won't back up an open file, e.g., a word processing document you're working on as the backup takes place, the company assured me this feature would be included within a few weeks, with imaging to follow in the near future. Since Window's (XP SP2 or newer) shadow service makes implementing these features relatively easy, there's no particular reason to doubt this assertion. An online component that leverages Amazon's S3 service is in the works as well.

The company's stated ambitions, combined with designers and programmers who understand interface principles, should eventually make Titan Backup one of the top products on the market. That said, you might want to wait a couple of weeks until the promised open file backup shows up".

I used Titan to backup files that were spanned across 5 DVD's, using no compression. The information on the discs have an extension of Z01, a Titan format. So if I were to try to extract the information I would need to have Titan installed. This does not work for me. Instead I will continue to use a backup program that keeps the files in original format. Second Copy ( http://www.centered.com/ ). I have to give this a thumbs down.

Hard crash is not a nightmare with a little bit of clear thinking. Taken from the Titan Backup License Agreement:

"YOU MAY:
(i) use one copy of the Software on up to the Permitted Number of Computers;

(ii) make one backup copy of the Software, provided your backup copy is not installed or used on any computer;"

My backup copy of Titan Backup is stored as an ISO, complete with the legal registration key. It will be transferred to the next "permanent" backup CD I burn. Included in this CD will be a MagicDisk executable file which will install the virtual DVD onto which I can mount my ISO. Your Bart PE Live OS will boot to a recoverable state from which flash and CD are both accessible. No problem.

Titan backup is excellent - however I tend to agree with those who would rather own their backup software. I've been using the prior version through GAOTD and have been very satisfied.

BTW,if you'd rather OWN, I found a huge discount on Titan through Gizmo - get $40 software for $15 bucks, with additional quantity discounts. I got three licenses for just $24 - and it's excellent bkup software! It has incremental and differential backups, with lots of features. All the features are listed on their website.

I'm posting this because, again, I agree with the other posters that have said you must "own" your backup software to be really protected, and this is a REALLY good deal if you don't mind spending a few bucks. You decide.

http://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=7810-8&ss_coupon=NEOB-PTM0

Cool!! Thumps UP... :)

A few folks here have mentioned using Acronis. I'd like to say that I had problems installing it after I purchased the full paid for version. The response time to get it installed and semi working was 2 months. It has then taken another 2 months of going back and forth with their tech folks to be allowed the privilege of talking with a higher level tech support person to get their scheduled runs to work. After being told that there is an update to install, asking is that all the patches and being told yes, and then installing the patch only to learn that no, there is another patch and then another fix and then another install it shows me their tech support doesn't work. I've never heard back yet from the emails requesting service and can only use the chat function to deal with tech support which has been hit or miss as to the function working. The only phone number is if you want to pay more for support. Steer clear of Acronis at all costs.

I had a catastrophic failure. However I was unable to restore the drive as I had hoped. My data was safe and restored easily but I still had to re-install XP and software. Did I do something wrong? Is there software that restores your drive exactly as it was prior to the crash? At this point, though easy to use and it does backup files, I am not convinced it should be relied upon for complete restore.

#44 You can back up to zip file and only a program such as winzip is needed to restore your files.

I tried this the last time it was offered. The stand-alone unix boot disk which it created, for restoring the image, would not boot on my Acer portable. Be sure to try a recovery immediately after creating your first backup just in case you have the same issue. Even with no encryption or compression, I was left with an archive in a proprietary format that I could not reinstall.

Got it last time it was offered here, and i am happy with it. :)

Thanks for offering it again, so that the ones who missed it the previous time can as well get Titan for free! :D

Thanks very much for an excellent offering, GOTD and Neobyte! This is a fine backup tool.

I reviewed a number of free and shareware backup utilities in post #40 of my utilities blog, and picked Titan Backup (an earlier version that was a Giveaway Of The Day) as my favorite non-free backup tool. I trust that today's updated version will be even better.

I hope this is helpful. Thank you again.

Titan Backup v2.0 from GAoTD (6 March 2008) was mediocre at best. However the biggest problem that arose: it wouldn't uninstall.
More impressive is Macrium Reflect, (16 June 2008) which made a previous appearance here, and is always available in a free version.

#48: The ability to back up files on to a remote FTP server is priceless. I'm not familiar with Cobian but if you were to have a catastrophic event at your house or office, you'd thank your lucky stars that you had your data stored somewhere remotely and safely. I have a deal with a friend across town that we even store each others' backups at our houses should one of us have a fire or other event.

Incidentally, my hard drive died recently and thanks to Macrium Reflect, I got almost all my data back perfectly. The only problem was the new disk was larger than the old and Macrium would restore correctly only to the same size partition.

Nice features. But setting aside the question of whether I'd trust my sensitive data to a program that has not been peer-reviewed, I would be very reluctant to encrypt my backups with a program that I couldn't restore if I somehow lost the original version, because it's GAOTD. Yes, I could try to buy the then current version, if the company is still around and if the then current version is backward compatible with this one. Too many unknowns to take so big a chance!

I installed this version (2.1) over my previous version (2.0.xx)obtained here at GAOTD. I did not delete the previous version.

Today's giveaway installed and activated, but the serial # was from my previous version. I had to click on "About" and then "Change Serial Number" in order to update to the new serial #. So, the program updated and ran without the new serial #. It appears we've got an update-able copy of Titan Backup. Typically, updating a giveaway turns it into a trial version, as many have lamented in the past.

Second, the moment today's giveaway starts up, it asks me if I want to update Titan Backup to v2.1.73. Apparently, today's version is 2.1.69. So, I update to 2.1.73. Again, no problem! The program works fine! Thanks Titan!

#34 You can simply install this new version over your previous one. You will not lose the settings.

#44 Titan Backup doesn't use proprietary archive formats like other backup programs. It uses the standard Zip file format. This makes it very easy to restore data manually from the backup archive even if Titan Backup is not installed. You can choose to create self-extracting archives that will allow you to unzip even if you don't have a compression tool.

@#44: It would help if you read before you start writing. Read comments 26, 32 and 38 among others to understand why you don't need this software to do a restore after your computer crashes.

Obviously, after you recover from the crash, you may not be able to make any more backups using this program. Which is one of the reasons I use a freeware utility called Version Backup to do my backups. You set it up, it copies the files to an external hard drive automatically every night, and you don't need any software to go get back a file from the backup. I use another freeware called Truecrypt to encrypt the backup disk so I don't need my backup software to do any encryption on its own.

This giveaway is not bad at all. It has lots of powerful features and has a sensible, intuitive interface. If you don't use any backup programs at all, this might be a good day to start using one. Check out the other freeware alternatives posted in various comments also. Backups are absolutely essential. Remember that you are living one step away from data disaster if you don't have backups. There are only two kinds of hard disks: those that have failed and those that will.