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Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition (English Version) Giveaway
$29.95
EXPIRED

Giveaway of the day — Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition (English Version)

Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition is all-in-one solution for data protection.
$29.95 EXPIRED
User rating: 480 88 comments

Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition (English Version) was available as a giveaway on September 29, 2010!

Today Giveaway of the Day
$36.00
free today
Download music from 1000+ sites anytime and anywhere!

All-in-one solution for data protection! Whether you want to simply save your data or create complex backup routines - this package of useful tools covers all your needs.

This solution quickly backs up these files and folders: My Documents, My Media Files, My Email Folders and easily secures valuable data without additional configurations. Backup & Recovery Home has an improved user interface with special wizards that ensure ease-of-use, even for novice users. It’s ideal for the comprehensive security of your home PC and data.

Key and New Features:

  • Windows 7 Support. Enjoy full-fledged support for Windows 7
  • Smart Backup Wizard. Quickly backup following files and folders: My Documents, My Media Files, My Email Folders and easily secure valuable data without additional configurations
  • Backup and Restore to or from FTP. Offload backup images to offsite storage for an even higher level of protection if disaster strikes
  • Scheduling for File-level Backups. Schedule any file-level backup task according to your requirements and obtain a new level of flexibility
  • Selective Restore. Extract individual files and folders from an archive without restoring an entire image
  • Next Generation of Adaptive Restore. A powerful and unique technology that restores any version of Windows (since Win2K) to completely different hardware

Detailed Product information is available at Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Edition website

Limitations: No WinPE included on this download.

Technical Support: During the Giveaway period Paragon Software provides technical support at http://twitter.com/paragonsoftware. Please, post your questions if you have any troubles while downloading, registering and using the software. Paragon Software’s support team will reply you as soon as possible.

System Requirements:

Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7; Intel Pentium or compatible, 300MHz or higher processor; RAM: 256 MB; Disk space: 150 Mb; Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

Publisher:

Paragon Software

Homepage:

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/brh/

File Size:

188 MB

Price:

$29.95

Comments on Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition (English Version)

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#88

Hi Kiamski, I'd suggest that you check Paragon's Knowledge Base (http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/templ/302.jsp?catId=2124). If the answer isn't listed, then you could ask your question. Also, there's the possibility that the LAN option isn't supported; FTP is.

Good luck :)

Reply   |   Comment by Suze  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#87

Downloaded the Paragon backup and recover 10, registered and did a backup of a number of files. I wanted to store the backup on a network HDD (Iomega), but the Paragon program seems to recognise only the lokal disks, but not the via LAN network disk. The network disk is via an ethernetcable connected to the PC.

Question: Am I overlooking something?

Friendly greetings Kiamski.

Reply   |   Comment by Kiamski  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#86

I certainly don't classify this programme as simple. I am reasonably adept around computers but I have yet to master one simple backup of files. I find it is full of unnecessary ambiguity. For example, "Backup Destination" in the Smart Backup Wizard is explained as "Please specify where to back up the selected files and folders." This could be read as both 'What is the file you want to back up' and 'To where do you want the file backed up.' They need to get someone that speaks clearly and who is not a techy to review all their material.

Reply   |   Comment by Bernie  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#85

To Dorothy
I installed Paragon Drive Copy 10 Personal SE when you offered it recently, and with it copied a “compressed image” of my hard drive onto my 2 TB backup drive (which also contains copies of important individual files that I transfer as needed to save space on my much smaller hard drive). Would I still have a need for Paragon Backup and Recovery? Do I need to make a Bootable CD even though I have am image of the drive?

Drive Copy can't create compressed images, it can only clone disk to another disk or partition to unallocated space. While Backup & recovery creates compressed backups. The difference between backup and copy is explained here:
http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/include/templ/object2.jsp?objId=2605
And yes, bootable CD is very useful. What if the system doesn't boot at all? In this case Recovery CD can help you to restore backup, or copy data back to main drive, or extract certain file, or repair boot loader.

#44:
Proprietary format is used, so to open backup and restore files from it you will need to use Backup & Recovery.

Reply   |   Comment by kiwi  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#84

Got it downloaded in the end.

I had not realised that I could use FlashGet with GAOTD so that is a useful piece of knowledge.

Registered it on my XP machine no problem.
Ditto Vista.

Backed up to external HD. One piece of feedback on that point - I really need the image to be encrypted. This does not do it and it does not recognise anything inside Truecrypt either.

My intention is to have two external hard drives, one in the house that is "live" and one in the garage in case the house burns down and to alternate them weekly. As things stand, I will need to encrypt/decrypt each week which is a pain.

First attempt at creating the backup produced a VSS error. Get round this by using Tools/Settings/Hot Processing Options and selecting Paragon Hot Processing.

Reply   |   Comment by Peter  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#83

What an ordeal. I kept getting a BSOD on my Vista 32 when installing with a different error message each time. I'll give Paragon the benefit of the doubt and say it's just my computer but something in the install didn't agree with my settings.

I was finally able to successfully install it after switching to Game Mode using Iorbit SystemCare's gaming mode tool, however, I don't think I want to preserve my computer at this time as it appears to be in need of some work. <----- Something Paragon might want to know.

Regarding #33's comment. Trialware is for testing products out and some here probably do end up purchasing products because they liked the giveaways but I think this site is more to get the word out on products so we will spread the word (which I have) but having stated that, when it comes to software that you rely on to save your computer in a time of disaster, I recommend purchasing a product with lifetime customer support.

Reply   |   Comment by Damon  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#82

I have not read all the comments since my time is limited. The last Paragon backup software I installed slowed down my PC too much as it backed up in the background, so I disabled it.

A very simple setup would say:
1) Where are you now?
-a) New system
-b) Old system
-c) etc.
2) How do you want to backup?
-a) Option 1 - Incremental in the background
-b) Option 2 - Full at set time
-c) etc.
3) Where do you want to back up to?
-a) Option 1
-b) etc
4) How do you want to recover?
-a) Replace the internal HD?
-b) Switch to another internal HD?
-c) Run from an external HD
-d) etc.

Based on your responses, the software should prompt you as to what to do.

My experience has been that the simple guide has been too simple and the advanced guide too advanced.
What is needed is an approach that starts very simply then allows you to progress incrementally to your maximum level of understanding.

Reply   |   Comment by Tony Osime  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#81

Installation & registration went ok & restarted the program, but not the computer. Tried to burn rescue kit with Recovery Media Builder, to CD, "Typical" Recovery Media image but nothing happens after clicking "next" to start the burning. Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?

Reply   |   Comment by dw4  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#80

Correction to #68 pressing yellow icon replaces registration button with Install button n brings up make disc button too.

Also The Recovery Disc:
I made two recovery iso files n they are both empty but bootable occording to ultra iso. This suggests that the program is not on there, so it cannot be installed later but that it simply replaces corrupt boot info.

Reply   |   Comment by Adam  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#79

@37. Why Image the whole Drive?:
Reinstalling a clean copy isn't always practical for everyone and then reinstalling every program and getting all your settings exactly how u want them and then recovering all your backups on top of that. Plus its actually a good idea, your computer will run much better and faster if u do a clean reinstall every 6 months.

So why not get this program, then do a clean install, setup everything just how you want it and recover all ur backed up files. Then while it's fresh u image the drive and next time u can put nearly everything back at once, then u simply back-up any extra stuff u add. But you core setup and core files are all in one easy recovery.

Next if you do a recovery every 6 months ur computer will run like new most of the time and will probably last longer since it will run smoother. And each time u recover, u can add new stuff or update/upgrade progs and make a new image or keep one primary setup image. And no hasel with re-registering progs and typing in all those codes.

I used to reset my Laptop to factory defaults every three months, but then I still had to do a lot of setting up, so I made a new image after setup and it's much easier now.

I know so many people that have comps that are a year old and say it runs like crap I need a new one. Mine is 4 or 5 years old and still runs like new.

Reply   |   Comment by Adam  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#78

WHERE TO PUT REGISTRATION KEYS:
After u get them, go back to the box where u clicked register. Press the looooong button on the Left with a yellow/orenge icon that says the name of the product. That will start the actual install where it will ask for the keys b4 u can continue.

The process B4 it asks u to Register was just the pre-instal setup/unpacking.

Reply   |   Comment by Adam  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#77

The install has been sitting there doing nothing for over an hour n a half. I did the registration and got to the actual install with and the green status bar went nearly to the end and then has just sat there for an hour n a half.
Vista x86, AMD Turion 64 Mobile 2GHz Acer Laptop with 2gb

And the install on my HP laptop with XP x86 has been stuck in the same place for 30 mins.

Reply   |   Comment by Adam  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#76

I see nothing about whether this software allows automatic backup setup. Does it? Would like to be able to set it up to do automatic backups (weekly or monthly), then as part of the automation, have it make a copy of that backup to an online backup service.

Reply   |   Comment by sk8er  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#75

I'm totally stumped, been trying all day to get this up and running. I guess I need more step by step instructions. I've installed it to C: drive which I didn't want, but it wouldn't allow me to install to my portable drive. I have registration and serial numbers and keep getting an error message. Now can't even find it so I can uninstall it. I'll go back to the old way of doing things

Reply   |   Comment by samm  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#74

Come on now people. It took me 5 seconds to register. Unzip the package and read the "read me" file. Or just start the installer and click on "register". That will open up Paragon's registration web page.

Reply   |   Comment by Dieselman  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#73

Please, post the URL for registration. MY DOWNLOAD IS HANGED!. I think that posting the URL is legal, I am asking for the URL so I can register, I'm not asking a register code!

Reply   |   Comment by J.L.A.  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#72

I downloaded todays giveaway. Before installing I uninstalled the previous version....big mistake. After the uninstall my Catalyst Control Center would no longer work...immediately got the Windows message "CCC control host has stopped working".

I tried running the Paragon install and after it unzipped I could not find it anywhere. As soon as I do I'll dump it.

I did a system restore but my CCC will still not work....even uninstalled and reinstalled it....nothing.

I have no idea what the Paragon uninstall removed but I'm not taking a chance on the new one doing something like that again.

Reply   |   Comment by Weazer  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#71

To #58 (Rob Montierth): hope this screenshot helps: http://dottech.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-08_230440.png (source: http://dottech.org/freebies/18233 )

Reply   |   Comment by kmk  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#70

Great article Mike. I think everyone should read your comment #59 and comment #39 by Terry. They are both excellent and informative. I have downloaded this GOTD but not tested yet but thanks to GOTD also for fine apps.

Reply   |   Comment by Harry Callahan  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#69

Hi, i was wondering if this is identical to what i have got from another promotion.

Paragon Backup & Recovery, version 10, build 10444 (14.07.10 ) Suite

and if it is not the same one, what is the differences?

Reply   |   Comment by Toris  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#68

I downloaded the software, got the email with the key and serial number but do not know how or where to put the key to register it and where does the software install? Can not find it anywhere.
any help will be much appreciated
thanks

Reply   |   Comment by Sandra  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-1)
#67

This is really good software; at today's price, it's a great value. I got the same version from Ashraf's offer about 3 weeks ago. I have used it to backup WindowsXPSP3 32-bit and Windows7Pro and Home 64-bit systems, but I'm installing another copy for a friend. This time it downloaded at about 275KBs over public wifi in about 12 minutes. As mentioned, if you save the unzipped .msi (Microsoft installer) file and the registration keys, you will be able to reinstall at any time later, e.g., after a system rebuild. Or if you recover an os partition, then your Paragon installation will also be recovered. I like how the wizard displays every (including all hidden) partitions. I ran CCleaner, MyDefrag, and NTREGOPT, then used Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Home SE to image the 32GBs of files in the 75GB Windows7 x64 operating system partition with High Compression in 00:07:59 to a different drive. The Recovery CD wizard announced that the CD could be booted into either WinPE or Linux and burned the disk almost instantaneously. The built-in software Archive checker and the Disk checker verified both, but I haven’t had occasion yet to test by booting the Recovery CD, restoring the backup, and booting the restored image. But my previous Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Advanced rescue CD and backup image did pass that test twice ;-) I wish I had a good idea for improvement so I might win more of Paragon's great tools, but everything worked so well, I'll have to settle for giving two thumbs up.

Reply   |   Comment by gf  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#66

Great! I was about to buy this! (and at ?$20 USD, it was quite a good deal).
And a big thank you to the GAOTD community for their input:
#40 JC: Right on!
#59 Mike: Your information on virtualization proves valuable; much thanks.

Reply   |   Comment by hots  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#65

Dear people, don't uninstal Your other software like Drive Backup 9...and so, with this You can't do anything, because you can instal it only today and If You do some backup you cant them after Your windows needs to reinstal because You can't download and reinstal this software again-this is special edition and is not the same with Paragon Backup 10 Suite.

Reply   |   Comment by kaljukass  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-6)
#64

#37: "... The point of backing up the whole computer, to me, seems fairly pointless because, with the exception of hardware failure, would I want a copy of my installation that is obviously so bad that it needs to be restored by one that is just short of the same status? In the event of hardware failure it can strike anywhere including your backup so how many copies do you keep?... "

I regularly backup our systems to disc images on 2nd drives using Paragon's backup software -- no muss, no fuss, & it takes 10 - 20 minutes per OS partition. Restoring an image takes roughly the same amount from within regular Windows or a WinPE type environ. Critical stuff like docs are backed up separately & also stored to DVD. Disc image backups are also periodically copied to an eSATA external drive. That way there are 3 levels of redundancy for critical docs, 2 for complete systems. Is it enough? Not really as I'm weak when it comes to off-site/off premises storage in case of fire, but with VERY slow upload speeds, & no easy access to a PO Box or safe deposit that's the best I can do from a pragmatic standpoint.

Why back up the entire partition? Why Not?... I can have it backed up faster than I can select what specific files I want where, & this way I don't have to remember anything. Disc space is fast becoming a commodity, & a Paragon created backup image is typically 1/2 the size of the total files on disk.

* * *

#44: "Does it use a proprietary backup archive format or not? Can I access an individual file from the backup without using this software, eg. from a Unix system can I access/extract/copy an individual file either directly or via unzip or the like?"

Yes & No... That said, I've used a LiveXP USB or CD to boot, then run earlier versions of Paragon Backup to restore as if they were portable apps, i.e. no install, & had no problem. The rescue CD is also *nix based... maybe either will give you an idea of how to make what you're after work?

* * *

#55: "... After several minutes, another pop-up appears, telling me it cannot connect to the server."

If the GOTD part can't connect to verify the date, everything stops there as you've found out. I've never had it fail, so no experience in troubleshooting, but if turning off any firewalls etc doesn't help, since today's offer gives you a real install file, perhaps you could manage that part on another PC/laptop if you can get access to one before the end of the day.

* * *

#56: "does this program disk images like norton ghost for image recovery?"

Yes. It can also do other types of backups.

* * *

#58: "I received my serial number and registration number, but would someone be kind enough to tell me HOW or WHERE to put them to register the software?"

During setup you'll get to a Window asking for the 2 keys -- copy, then paste using Ctrl + V keys into the necessary boxes & click Next.

Reply   |   Comment by mike  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+19)
#63

downloaded fast but still waiting for key.... an hour so far, and no, it's not in junk...

Reply   |   Comment by chrisrsherwood  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#62

HELP!!! Several of us have asked for help with registration, and the software developer would do well to answer our questions. Like the rest that have asked. I have the registration info but where do I actually register at????

Reply   |   Comment by Saundra  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#61

This is Cool... Paragon took a bit of all their different apps & put them into their very easy to use Backup & Recovery Home software. You have basic partitioning, including copying & an Undelete Partitions wizard. You get several different types of backup, including their backup capsule tech & mgmt [sets up a hidden partition for backup archive storage]. There's a handy wizard that with 1 or 2 clicks in the one window burns your hdd to CD/DVD/ISO [though I didn't see a choice of where to write the ISO file :-( ] [BTW, it appeared in the app's program folder]. Paragon's virtualization tools are also included, with P2V [Physical to Virtual], V2P [the opposite], & the capability to adjust the OS [basically remove/replace drivers] for Windows installed in a VM or physical system, so it'll boot in a different system, real or virtual. You also have the ability to Mount your backup images -- select a disk image backup in the program, right-click -> mount, & there it is in Windows' Explorer as another drive/partition. And you have the stuff you'd expect, like the ability to check backup archive integrity, plus some you might not, like their Synthetic Backup Wizard, that lets you make some changes to archives so you might not have to run another backup for example to have the files split.

Installation starts with the GOTD .zip file -- inside, the readme.txt gives the URL for registration if you want to get that out of the way. Running setup.exe gives a file extractor that looks a bit different than the more usual GOTD WinRAR -- it's set to put the files in your temp folder, so either remember to copy them elsewhere or choose another destination so you can save a copy. What you'll get is a folder called RarSFX... drill down in the PROGRAM folder to find setup.msi [~125MB] if you want the minimum, optionally the separate Recovery.exe [~60MB] for creating the *nix based rescue CD, or just save the whole thing as is, & run launcher.exe to start the install.

Installation is pretty straightforward, & includes 4 driver files -- Paragon's hotcore driver for snapshots of running Windows installs, & the 3 drivers that make up their Image Mounter [they're also stored in the installed program folder in the uim sub-folder]. In my experience, and while it's not by any means guaranteed, most Paragon apps will work without those drivers *If* you don't need those functions, as I've run & relied on several working portably, without install from inside a running WinPE type environ. Aside from those drivers Backup & Recovery 10 Home SE, like most Paragon apps, doesn't even add a software registry key, & *may* at most add 3 files to Windows' system folder, depending on what's there already... msvcp60.dll, msvcrt.dll, & prgiso.dll. That said, you still might get close to 500 registry adds from the Windows Installer plus those drivers.

Using Paragon's backup apps for a few years, the only real quirk I've come across is on my dual boot rig is don't back up XP from inside 7 64 *unless* I first disable System Restore in XP. It's a good idea anyway to reduce archive size. I've also found backing up XP in XP makes for smaller archives than doing it in 7. Otherwise backing up 7 while running XP works so well that in some situations it's a better alternative to installing/running an app in either a VM or using something like Time Freeze or Returnil [which I couldn't get running *properly* in 7 ult 64].

Depending on how much you've got installed & the speed of your system you might be talking as few as 10 minutes to backup & another 10 to restore -- to try software on a real system, without any possible interference from any app playing middleman, it *might* be ideal. I've set up a trial of win7 on my wife's PC so she can tryout software as she also tries out 7, & so far it's worked out well that way. Backup/restore from a 2nd internal or external drive's worked flawlessly using Paragon software. And FWIW, on-line there are plenty of articles etc on extending the trial for up to a year, & one app that may allow *re-arming* the trial indefinitely.

Reply   |   Comment by mike  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+21)
#60

This is just what I needed. Hate to say that I am one of those who doesn't do backups more often. I always did it manually, to a HD on my network. This will make the task easier. It downloaded in under 5 minutes, installed easily, and it registered itself like the program should. I received my product key and SN right away. Thanks GOTD. Much appreciated.

Reply   |   Comment by Edjuizzyu  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#59

Sorry to bother again. I stumbled acrossw how to solve registration problem. Click Paragon Back up and Recover Home 10. Then go to right side of page and click the top button on the right side. Enter numbers and you are REGESTERED.

Reply   |   Comment by Rob Montierth  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+10)
#58

Usually there are some comments about the GOTD version of Paragon apps not including their WinPE environ disc images [ISOs]. Here's how to get something a bit more flexible. There's sometimes a question or two about virtualization... VMs aren't as widely understood, or appreciated as they will be. On Paragon's site you'll see a lot about how you can carry a copy of your own, personal Windows install with you, or migrate it to new hardware. Here's a bit on how...

About WinPE & About Virtualization...

WinPE & such...
There are several ways to put an OS on removable/external media like a CD/DVD or USB hard drive, USB stick etc. to make it bootable. In some ways using a CD/DVD may be preferred -- it can't be written to, so it might offer the most safety, not all PCs/laptops will boot from USB, & on some PCs [like in a biz environ] there's no available USB port to plug anything into. OTOH once you've set up this mini-OS, it's not a big deal to put it on both so you're covered either way. A pretty fair range of Linux *Live* image files can be downloaded, all shapes & sizes so-to-speak with a varied array of software pre-installed, & they can be burned to CD/DVD as is, &/or there are several tools, methods, & guides to put them on most any USB storage device... When it comes to Windows, Microsoft had the original WinPE for admins, a free alternative called BartPE is still used, Microsoft is creating newer & better options and tools [many centered around the AIK or Automated Install Kit], and the communities at sites like Boot-land.net & 911cd.net have several options, with new ones being created while others are being expanded &/or refined.

I'm more familiar with boot-land.net, where you can download complete packages with everything you'll need except a Windows install disc. I like the LiveXP versions myself because XP is frankly smaller & lighter than 7, but there are setups for using Vista or 7 including 64 bit. The several I've tried amount to un-zipping the download, running a program, pointing it to my Windows install CD, clicking on the start button, & waiting from 10 minutes to just short of half an hour. The 2 sites I mentioned have tutorials & much more details (including customization), but that's all optional -- if you can download, un-zip, & then double click the .exe file, that's really all the knowledge or experience you need. Different packs have different amounts of software included, you can choose not to install some or most of it, & some like "lx78sp6mtw.exe" [a self-extracting compressed file that also unpacks with 7-zip] can also load external apps, complete with Start Menu &/or Desktop shortcuts -- all can run portable apps the same way you'd do it in regular Windows, finding, double clicking the app's .exe file.

These mini-Windows setups [I've got bootable Windows ISOs created this way that are < 100MB, hence the *mini*] can also run Virtual Machines, so you can run a full version of Windows, with whatever software installed, on most any hardware capable of booting from CD/USB that's Windows compatible. Sure, you can already run VMs on most any PC/laptop that's already got Windows installed, but this way you don't even need that. The stuff you'll find at sanbarrow.com is probably the most expert at running VMs this way, but it's not the *point & click* solutions you'll find at boot-land. The easiest way to run VM software is to download & use Portable-VirtualBox -- it's a small app that uses the regular VirtualBox setup files [you can have them already downloaded from Oracle or it'll download for you] & sets up VBox so it runs portably. It works well with regular Windows or one of these small mini versions. It doesn't have some of the bells & whistles of VMware, or the integration that Windows Virtual PC has with win7, but it's free, & you're not always going to be able to install VM Host software on whatever PC/laptop anyway. That said, you *might* need to run the Portable-VirtualBox setup twice to create 2 versions, 32 & 64 bit, as 64 bit won't run in Windows 32 & vice versa... I created a VBox win7 trial VM that I compressed into a 7-zip file along with Portable-VBox, so in preparation for Microsoft's win7 upgrade family pack promo, family members had something they could unzip & run, experiencing 7 -- I had to do both versions in that case. [BTW the ~7GB folder zipped down to ~2GB, so both fit on a DVD]

On Virtual Machines...
OK, so Paragon has this excellent virtualization software -- how do I use it?... Their higher end app lets you turn one brand VM into another, among other things, but using the home level apps what you can do is turn a working, running Windows installation into a VM, & back. Start by thinking of a Virtual Disk as just another hard disk/partition -- it can & should be treated like a regular drive/partition, as pretty much everything you can do with a regular hard drive, you can do with the virtual version. Putting a system disk/partition (with Windows installed) onto a virtual disk works the same way as when you put that disk/partition on a new physical drive/partition -- you can clone it, copy the disk/partition, restore a backup to it and so on -- that part's fairly easy. What makes a Windows install work on one PC/laptop & not the next is the difference in hardware -- Windows needs/uses hardware specific drivers in order to run. VM host software uses different hardware drivers than your actual PC/laptop, so Paragon's software changes those hardware drivers to something that'll work [that's P2V, or Physical to Virtual]. Then it can change them again so it'll work on whatever real, physical hardware [V2P]... Some Paragon apps, like today's Backup & Recovery 10 Home SE, also have an Adjust OS feature, that skips copying the files on your Windows system disk entirely, but just does the driver remove/replace part of it for V2V or P2P [Virtual to Virtual or Physical to Physical].

Practically speaking, to migrate a working install to a working VM I think my favorite method has evolved to, **as a 1st step**, either restoring a Paragon drive/partition backup to a virtual disk, or copying a partition to a virtual disk -- sometimes all you have is a backup. Note that if you restore a Paragon backup in 7 to a Windows .VHD, it'll be added to your boot menu -- that can be a plus or minus depending on your intent, but easily fixed using the free app, EasyBCD. Once you mount that virtual disk you access it just like any other drive/partition, so you can easily get rid of things you don't want/need. You don't want something like McAfee starting up the 1st time you start your VM [BELIEVE ME], so rename or remove the folders -- if you rename, you can always rename them back & run uninstall later. You don't want your creative labs soundcard software starting with Windows either, or the ATI Catalyst Control Center. You're moving Windows to a much less powerful system that's going to initiate all sorts of driver installations at 1st boot, so stop anything from starting with Windows that you can. And while you're at it, you might think about whether you really want/need all those images & tunes & video you might have stored on that disk/partition as well. Then once you've got the disk contents pared down as much as you're going to, the **2nd step** is to re-size the partition on your virtual disk -- everything works the same as if it was a *real* partition, but just being another drive in Windows, shouldn't require a re-boot or anything. Now the **3rd step** is using Paragon's software to turn the now much smaller partition on your mounted virtual drive into a VM. If you're going to use VMware, make sure you have & know where the .iso for the guest additions is -- you're going to be asked. Microsoft's/Windows' Virtual PC, VBox, & VMware all have a Windows guest specific package of add-ons, mostly drivers that will make your Windows VM work better -- With VMware Paragon's apps ask for it during conversion, the others have you install it when the guest is up & running.

Once you have your basic VM created, you create a new machine in the VM Host app, attach the virtual disk holding your VM, & fire it up. Initially it can seem like Chaos because Windows wants to find & install all sorts of drivers & many things won't work anyway until you have the guest additions installed -- Paragon has driver injection that can help overcome some of this -- but it's really not that bad... it's just the effect of everything hitting at once, so just try to make it through as best you can & get those additions installed, & then after a re-start everything should install & work properly. The only problem I've had [& it was a big one] was when the VM still used an AMD driver -- check Device Mgr., & replace any AMD drivers [usually with generic equivalents] [don't remove or uninstall or it might not re-start]. Now that things are running more smoothly, you can make sure you have networking [usually setting your VM to use a NAT is easiest], make sure you can get files in & out [in VBox share folders, which show up in your VM's Windows Explorer under networking], & then if you want worry about getting rid of, uninstalling, reinstalling etc. any stuff like McAfee or ATI... Sounds like a lot, but you can get it all done in an afternoon or evening, with time to spare if things go your way.

Reply   |   Comment by mike  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+38)
#57

I received my serial number and registration number, but would someone be kind enough to tell me HOW or WHERE to put them to register the software? I'm new at this and nearly blind. Your help would be greatly appriciated.

Newbie but learning

Reply   |   Comment by Rob Montierth  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+8)
#56

According to the product comparison page http://www.paragon-software.com/home/brh/comparison.html, Paragon BR Home Special edition should support both incremental backups in "file backup" mode, and differential backups in "sector backup" mode, and here's a knowledge-base page on the differences and how their backup engine handles each of those tasks respectively http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/include/templ/object.jsp?catId=2124&objId=6679&foLang=en. Hope that helps anyone else that was wondering! :o)

Reply   |   Comment by Polytopal  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+11)
#55

does this program disk images like norton ghost for image recovery?

Reply   |   Comment by joe  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#54

I am using Win XP Pro SP3, and I have downloaded and installed several programs from GAOTD with no problems. But today I can't get the setup.exe to run.

I had no trouble downloading the zip file. Using 7-zip File Manager, I extracted the setup.exe file. The extracted setup.exe file has a size of 197414598 bytes.

When I start the setup program, I get a pop-up that says "Starting", and at the bottom it says "Software Key Wrapper 0.9". That remains unchanged for several minutes. Then it changes to "Connecting to giveawayoftheday.com", and the SKW version changes to 1.0. After several minutes, another pop-up appears, telling me it cannot connect to the server.

Reply   |   Comment by Neil from Beachwood OH  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+4)
#53

I've enjoyed using many of Paragon's solid titles in the past. "Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition" installed and registered without a hitch on Windows 7 x64, went through my first backup and though I haven't tried a restore, I doubt there should be any problems. Hope that helps anyone wondering if it works on Windows 7 x64.

Reply   |   Comment by Polytopal  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+5)
#52

Downloaded and installed fine but when it goes to the screen with "Registration," Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Home Special Edition," and "Support Contacts," I click the "Registration" button to the right and nothing happens (I get a momentary hourglass then nothing). I used the web site and got a registration key emailed to me but I cannot get into the registration process to enter it. Any thoughts? TIA.

Reply   |   Comment by Matt  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+5)
#51

Program won't finish installation. Keep getting Invalid Serial Number error message even though it is the number I was sent.

Reply   |   Comment by Kathie  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#50

Where and how can I register this software. I downloaded it, received the serial number, but have no idea where or how to register it.
Thanks

Reply   |   Comment by Harry Wittmer  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#49

I have had great results with Paragon boot CD backup and recovery.
I use it to preserve the stages of the "clean install"
(format and reinstall everything).
I save simple images of the various stages of the new installation:
_Setup and activate
_Drivers and updates
_Applications
_Security Suite
Before each image: remove PageFile, defragment and compress,
make simple uncompressed .iso. (for reliability),
and burn to DVD.
It is definitely worth buying one of Paragon's Suites
to buy tht WinPE Recovery/Restore CD.
They have special offers: register freebee, create account
signup for newsletter. Check in your "Downloads" account
for updates and upgrades.
den
*****

Reply   |   Comment by den  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+12)
#48

I just installed and everything went smoothly on my Vista home 32 bit. Thank you for a great program! My question--i see i can easily back up email IF it is in outlook or office. since I use incredimail, will I be able to backup my email using that one click feature, or will that only work for outlook and office?

Reply   |   Comment by Gaiacita  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-1)
#47

I still have Professional version 9.5 so I am not going to install this Home version 10 unless Paragon explains the differences. I do not see the comparisons on their website. I can say that the Pro version works well.

Reply   |   Comment by sys-eng  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#46

Excellent giveaway. Paragon software is top notch. I'm upgrading from 9.5 professional edition and this has all the features I was looking for. This is much more powerful than the "System backup" software. If you have system backup, grab this one.

Reply   |   Comment by Scott  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+5)
#45

I've had trouble with version nine finding a hdd faulty - something to do with VSS - so I tried Acronis Backup and it worked a charm - they do have a free version, though I ended up buying their full version - quite cheap - it is a lot easier to use than Paragon but does not compress as well. - Trying to download version 10 now and it is taking ages 15 minutes for above 50% (ie 90 MB)

I’ve found Paragon support very good.

Reply   |   Comment by Tarak  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#44

Does it use a proprietary backup archive format or not? Can I access
an individual file from the backup without using this software, eg.
from a Unix system can I access/extract/copy an individual file either
directly or via unzip or the like?

Reply   |   Comment by Dave  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-1)
#43

uh... Selective Restore.. i could use that, but i think i am more interested in the full software, as it offers WinPE enviroment to backup files I didn't before the failure.

#35 you are wrong. First, If you have some important files, in the case of a backup, you can restore it (even more, if you do a backup to a ftp that is even more helpful in case of hardware failure).
Second, restoring takes a hole lot less than reinstalling. Only the XP install (without drivers and softwares) takes more than 25 min, when a restore with everything could take 10 min (2-4 min in my case).

When you talk about installation, why don't you make a clean install, then install your drivers (if needed), then install some really important software you use every day, and make a backup of those ? after that you can install the little things, so your system is ready to use when you do a restore, and you know it's clean

#33: 3 days ?! i think you have some really important data to wait 3 days. if it's so important try investing in a portable hdd. For about 150$ you could buy a 1TB one, or for less, a smaller one, but more than enough for those 30gb

Reply   |   Comment by BesT  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#42

Folks, if you read #22, you'll see that the software allows you to make a bootable CD with the software on it. That will allow you to recover your drive image/backup. There is no need to buy the software just because your machine crashed and you need to restore.

Reply   |   Comment by Mark  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+22)
#41

I installed the Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 Compact Edition via GOTD earlier this year. How does the Home edition compare to the Compact edition? Thank you.

Reply   |   Comment by TransistorJunction  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#40

Oh how I agree with Patrick (comment No.2) concerning Twitter, Facebook et al. Please GAOTD, don't re-route to ANY 'social networking sites' for questions to be answered. Like many people, I don't have the inclination to join any of these ridiculous websites - life is too short!!

By the way the Paragon back-up on offer today is excellent value, it has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.

GAOTD - ROCK ON! and many thanks for the service you provide.

Love, Light and Peace

JC

Reply   |   Comment by Jerry Chance  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+17)
#39

Some of the Paragon software I've gotten from GOTD can be reinstalled, IF you keep a copy of the MSI (installation) file and IF you copy down the registration mail you get from Paragon. You can't get a new registration mail after the giveaway day, but the registration you got that day will still work. Sometimes the MSI file is extracted into your TEMP directory.

The other thing is to use the recovery CD that's included. If your hard drive dies, you probably won't be able to use it to boot. Say you get a new, blank hard drive. The easiest way to install then is to boot from the recovery CD, have it restore your data (and OS) to the new hard drive, then boot to the hard drive. No registration needed when you use the restore CD.

Please think about (and practice) a full restore-from-backup, using as your starting point "what if my computer is completely destroyed". Where is the recovery CD stored, so if your computer is destroyed the recovery CD is still available? Where have you stored the registration information for all your software? If you have an offline backup service (highly recommended) where do you keep the login information? How long will it take to download a full restore from an online backup service? (Probably forever!) Maybe you need to make a "base" full image backup to a cheap 2TB hard drive, and rely on your daily or off-site backup just for changed files. It's a lot faster to restore from a hard drive than from an online backup service. Just store the "base" image hard drive at another location.

Next time you get a new computer, spend a while practicing your "full restore" strategy. Make an image of the new computer (it might fit on a single DVD when it is new). Then try booting from your restore CD and restore the data from your old PC. See how it goes. It shouldn't take you very long to figure out which things got missed, or that the boot cd doesn't boot, or restoring from your FTP site takes way too long, or something else is incompatible. Make changes to your backup strategy on your old PC, then test again, until everything you need comes across with the backup in a reasonable time (and stuff you don't need disappears into the ether). Once you are sure your backup works, restore the image of the "new" computer and enjoy its new features.

Reply   |   Comment by Terry  –  13 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+38)
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