I wish I knew how good it was. Couldn't babysit a 4-hour download or come back to register it, so, maybe next time. Or maybe they should split up the 32 & 64 bit downloads. Just sayin'.

Had the same problem as quite a few others... Uninstalled the previous version and the program still wouldn't install. Used 3 different uninstallers and 2 different registry cleaners to check for traces, rebooted twice and it still wouldn't install. Aaaaack! Gave up and reinstalled version 10 without any problems. It made no mention of a version already installed. Did anyone find out what was the malfunction with this installer?

Downloaded (long time), unpacked (struggled for quite a long time - on point of crashing), activated (eventually), installed (apparently) and applied for registration key. Filled in personal info on Paragon website, got info through email (immediately), tried to fill it in and, hey presto!, program disappears! CAn't find it via Windows search or manually in apps. So Paragon have my info, I have zilch.

i have started trusting paragon specially after i got their OS to SSD SE. upgrading HDD works like a charm! i am gonna download this, however, size is big and once download was failed after 200 MB, therefore, i am gonna download again, however, i must say that it is very weird (and, not a good thing) that paragon is offering both 32 and 64 bit files in the same download. i would like to see separate files the next time so that no time is wasted.

to@63 EaseUs has booth

But EaseUs dont have restore to dissimilar hardware. Only thing that scare me is this driver in Paragon, that stops safe mode in XP

www_todo-backup.com/products/home/comparison.htm

"X! Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue..."
Not very helpful, I'm afraid. Paragon seems to specialise in 99% products. What program do I have that's incompatible?
I do have Drive Backup 9.5 Professional Edition and Drive Copy 11 Compact. Are they the culprits, and, if so, do I want to sacrifice one or both of those for today's 'compact' edition of 'Backup & Recovery'?
I do wish Paragon would provide the final 1% with CompNetTeach#50's image validation check, and some indication of why it won't install on a typical disk like mine. :-(

I have just now been able to get a complete download after trying all day and this time it took over 2 hours to download with a cable connection. Paragon failed to send the activation codes and now the giveaway is over. I certainly am not impressed with the company.

I need help with an installation problem. I am trying to install this but I keep getting an error message that a prior version must be installed first. I had a prior version of backup and recovery which I uninstalled thru Add/remove programs. I restarted my computer and I am still getting this error message. I had problems installing the November giveaway of this program. How do I get arouond this error message? I want this program but I cannot install it. I did get to register it.

Also, I have a Raid 6iRSAS configuration. Will this work to image my computer so that I can then load my image to a new Raid configuration? I have a degraded RAID 1 now that I am trying to reconstruct with two new hard drives. I want to put the image onto a new hard drive in the Raid configuration.

Thank you GOTD and Paragon, this version works perfect for me. The Paragon FREE never detected my drives and partition correctly when I booted the rescue and restore boot CD, but this version given away today works great and restored my system fine :-) Very happy.

Hi again, at the end of downloading period and following closely all fantastic (as ever:) Debate here - my personal choice, thanks to sensible advice - would be Comodo Time Machine. I repeat this my personal choice and no disrespect what so ever to Paragon's Giveaway!

In my previous machine (laptop) I have been dogged by bsods - till it sailed away to junkyard sunset.., but here fingers crossed - it would probably serve me better having Comodo recovery piece. Just by chance doing some research on Major Geek's site (old habit:) - I came across a little (free) Software called "whocrashedSetup.exe" - and since we are on subject of Recovery, and why we need it, and bsods were mentioned.. - this Software could be handy establishing (pinpointing) what is causing them. Just in case, if it helps. Thanks for wonderful Advice!

#25 Mike R "My 1Mb line speed and connectivity reliability is never going to accommodate a download as large as today’s" Really? I was downloading full CDs in the '56k' (really =50) POTS modem days. Sure, it was overnight, but with the right programs, we made do. My DSL here is only 1.5Mb, and now also, I do alright. Perhaps what you mean is, 1] The line is unreliable for large single packages (not much you can do, tbss) 2] You don't have the patience 3] Not flat-rate service; too expensive to justify long download sessions, also tbss. Guess you pay a few pounds for a CD of Microsoft updates when they happen, eh? Service packs must be pretty onerous for you.

For those who want a smaller Download (less 100mb), get the Free
"Paragon Backup & Recovery 2012 Free".
www_pcauthority.com.au/Review/275011,review-paragon-backup–recovery-11-home.aspx

Compare Editions:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/comparison-old.html

I don't have time to read all the posts so my apologies if this has already been brought up, but is anyone else really confused by the ongoing stream of Paragon backup giveaways? I wouldn't mind at all if they re-offered the same product or an update of the same, but it seems like they keep altering the feature set a little, and we are left wondering every time if we will either lose or gain something over the version we already have installed. I've been using some version of Paragon B&R for a long time and it's excellent software. I just wish they would simplify, and if they must change the feature set then lay it out in detail and link to it in the giveaway description so we can figure out if we need it.

Am I to understand that if my HD fails I can use Paragon to re-install my Vista OS? I was never given an install disk when I bought my PC since it came pre-installed with Vista on it. I did make a rescue disk from the D partition but if that fails it would be nice to have a "backup plan". Does Paragon copy the Windows key or will I have to provide it?
Also, will it be restored to a vanilla version of Vista or the latest version with all my Registry entries and Windows updates?
Thanks to all who reply...

I got all the way to a pretty screen where the default choice was product registration. I clicked on the install the 32-bit version of the program. Much disc action followed by a screen asking for the registration number and serial number. Clicked on registration. IE8 browser opened (not my default browser) and sat there. Waited patiently through a couple of games of Freecell, then restarted the whole process. Finally back at the registration screen, IE8 opened and sat there. I closed all and put the file in the trashcan. It may be a great program but it did not install on my XPSP3 computer.

#41 Giovanni, Backup software needs to access system files to image them. Your AV simply thought through Heuristic scanning that the action was malicious. It wasn't.

Hey dudes...how about PARAGON RESCUE KIT 11.0??

This awesome tool can retrieve valuable information from your HD and copy it to another local drive, partition or CD/DVD, in case your system should be faulty, following a virus attack or file corruption.

It can also FIX BOOT PROBLEMS and recover even deleted partitions!!!!

Just 50 MB in size and amazingly FREE of charges:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Paragon-Rescue-Kit-Express.shtml

Honestly, despite being FREE, I found it much more useful than today's giveaway !!

Wht do you make of it??

Re: Backup Time.

If you are backing up to an external hard drive over a USB 2.0 connection, the 7 hour estimate is about right, this is the limitation of USB 2.0, has nothing to do with Paragon. Use eSATA or USB 3.0 to speed things along.

crashes on VSS in windows 7. have checked disk no bad sectors and it still happens

No. 43

I agree! What a HUGE download!

Now I know why I can't get it to download at all. Seems there are thousands of us trying to D/L at the same time.

To #22, I have been trying to DL the program for 12 hours and always get a "server interrupt".

#32 Having read my comment, you've obviously MISSED THE POINT but just to clear this up for you ... My ISP is good, fast and reliable that's why I was surprised that this 304Mb file was downloading so slowly, when normally it would download in seconds from another source, therefore problem was with Paragon server or from whatever server software was downloading from ... I suggest that you read comments properly, before making stupid remarks. Should be easy to read as not joined up writing!

Anyway 10/10 to GOTD & Paragon for this superb program.

#54

Just to clarify ... EaseUS Todo Backup does NOT include WinPE. It does however, have a LinuxISO image included.

Now, for those of you that think today's offer is SOOO large because it includes a LinuxISO image ... Think about this ...Even with the included LinuxISO, the installation package for EaseUS Todo Backup 4.0 (current version) is only 99,300 kilobytes (roughly 12 megabytes).

#33: "I’ve used various Paragon GOTD offerings in the past to adjust HD partition sizes etc, but not had much success with their Backup functions.
I put it down to them being ‘stripped down’ versions, but I was suckered into buying their Manager 11 Suite before Christmas at the special rate and it was a disaster for me. I tried imaging my Win7 system and re-installing it on a second HD. It crashed and the new HD wasn’t bootable – glad I didn’t rely on it."

That's too bad -- I've used their Back & Restore apps for years without nary a problem or crash. Their GOTD versions are just the same as the full versions -- just fewer bells & whistles... in fact I often use the GOTD versions rather than the MGR app because it's marginally quicker to knock out a quick partition backup.

Incremental backups use one full backup, then just recorded changes since then -- you have to put everything together to get a full picture, with all of the original files/folders, & then replicate the changes -- if that helps in understanding Paragon's requests. Otherwise not enough info to guess why you had problems, or why Acronis worked when Paragon didn't. As I said, I use their backup & restore apps all the time in more scenarios than probably intended without nary a problem, ever.

* * *

#35: "Oh come on ==> 304 MB for a backup software is simply ridiculous!!"

Yes & No, IMHO of course. I've rather every download was <10 MB, or maybe even 5, but nowadays I'm used to seeing 300 MB or more just for a software update -- not even a full app. I'd also rather winter wasn't so cold where I live, but I'm used to that too... such is life :)

* * *

#38: "Anyone know how this program stacks up to Acronis?"

Purely my opinion, Acronis is better for ops when you're outside Windows, i.e. after a restart before Windows starts. OTOH I've had a lot of compatibility problems with Acronis drivers in Windows, so I avoid it there.

#48: "Here’s an alternative... Best of all … you don’t have to provide any personal information that can be exploited … unlike today’s offer."

While I've never had any problems with Paragon selling/sharing e-mail addresses, & you have to opt in to receive their e-mail, you might want to check out & consider using throw away or junk mail accounts? There's no name verification, so you can use whatever you like, but trying to avoid giving out any e-mail address ever is kinda shooting yourself in the foot I think... I've taken advantage of countless offers on-line, for software, services, samples, coupons etc. that all required an address -- if I didn't give them a specific email acct I set up for spam etc. I'd be the one suffering, not them. And if/when it ever starts getting too cluttered with spam & such I just stop using it & set up another -- no biggy. :)

* * *

#50: "...Until Paragon implements an image validation check, the only way you can handle it is by making multiple backups and praying... And yes, hotcore?.dll does interfere with XP safe / recovery console modes. Unfortunately, many backup applications that enable background backups have the same behaviour, the low-level driver does not have a routine to enable bypass during boot – poor design."

What about the built-in checking archive integrity? FWIW I've never had a bad archive created to a separate internal drive, but I have had them damaged in copying to a troublesome USB IDE external HDD -- in all cases checking those archives in Backup & Recovery picked up the errors. I'd guess that there are also checks that could be run with the archive mounted as a virtual drive. As far as hotcore, I've not experienced any problems but installing it is optional with this version -- it was not set to be installed to XP Pro by default.

* * *

#51: "I rather not depend on software that I can only install once and then 2 months down the road, I need it but I’ll have to buy it to restore my system."

Burn the setup files that are expanded to your temp folder to CD, along with the e-mail you receive with your key. Then if for whatever reason you want to install it again, have at it. :) Paragon also has trial downloads. [Personally I've not had to re-install an app in years, largely because I do perform Paragon backups, so I'm not sure what the fuss is about re-installing a backup app.]

#52: "Balderdash. EaseUS ToDo Backup FREE v4 is available for download any time of day... I think it even includes WIN PE Recovery support... EaseUS is outstanding and I’ve relied on it heavily. It’s saved me hours of rebuild time in disaster recovery... I am sure Paragon is good, but why bother when Easeus Free ver is out there?"

Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 CE is free today -- sure I'd have to pay for it next week, but why would I? :) I mean I normally only download & install any app once, so please forgive if I don't get the "available free every day" argument. :) If my backup software works, why would I need to re-download it?

As far as WinPE environs go, neither EASEUS or Paragon gives them away, but OTOH are the versions they sell really that useful? You're not restricted to running one app in Windows -- why should you be in WinPE? There are plenty of tools to create your own, many do not require the AIK download/install, many come with a host of apps you can add/remove & so on. Do that & Paragon apps run portably -- EASEUS not so much.

RE: Why bother?... Paragon software does a lot more, & there's more of it with more capabilities, plus the portable thing I mentioned above, which means for disaster recovery I can boot to a USB stick, choose from 1/2 dozen mini-Windows versions, where I can run dozens of included & portable apps, including quite a bit of Paragon software. Having a bigger software family helps -- I can mount a backup image & go P2V for example.

But that all said, I'm glad you've found EASEUS backup worthwhile. Use it all you want, I'm just answering your question. :)

* * *

#53: "... it takes a long time to backup and will not backup to an external drive."

If time to backup seems too slow, check to see if your AV software is slowing things down [e.g. check Task Mgr], &/or check the program settings & optionally turn off things like FS integrity checking. As far as external drives go, this Compact Edition will not work with targets over remote connections etc., but AFAIK should be fine with local drives -- I've only had problems once, & that was with a <$10 USB IDE HDD housing that was generally trouble prone anyway... several Paragon apps wouldn't see it.

* * *

#54: "I like this, but I prefer Macrium Reflect for its simplicity and minimal footprint and for the ability to fully encrypt your backup images (Paragon provides password protection, but AFAIK the image is not encrypted)."

FWIW I think the best setup from security & flexibility standpoints might be to backup to an encrypted vhd you've created/mounted with Truecrypt.

* * *

#60: "can this create a bootable clone to a new dardrive in Win7?"

Restore a full disk backup to the new, target drive.

* * *

#62: "... This is as good ad Easus..."

Purely FWIW -- folks can run whatever software they want -- use both & take a good look and you'll find EASEUS' backup app can't really compare to Paragon software. I like EASEUS as a company & freely recommend their Partition Master, but IMHO when it comes to their backup app, meh

Paragon's version 11 backup apps add more data security, though being safer can cost you a bit, taking longer to backup your drives/partitions -- go to the Tool menu -> Settings to set features like "Check FS integrity policy" off if that's a problem for you. Otherwise their version 11 stuff is a worthwhile update, & will open/use backup archives created using version 10 apps -- the opposite isn't true, so replace any emergency or recovery discs/USB sticks you made using version 10.

Installing today's GOTD, Paragon Backup & Recover 11 CE, running setup.exe, activation may seem to take a while as the larger download is decompressed into the actual setup files. You can burn everything in the "RarSFX0" folder [not the folder itself] to CD & have an install disc if you want -- you'll find it in your Windows Temp folder. If you'd rather you can drill down into the Program folder, finding the 32 & 64 bit .msi setup files used. During setup you're given the option of installing Paragon's Hotcore drivers, which is an alternative to Windows VSS [shadow copy] that might be faster in XP. Drivers for mounting backup archives are included/installed -- the uim folder in the app's program folder stores the driver setup files & the setup log... after installation it may take a restart before they're active, & you get the usual Windows' Last Known Good options on booting in case something went wrong. The recovery ISO image designed for CDs/USB sticks is stored in the program's folder [in a folder named ISO], & you can use it with whatever other app if you prefer, test it in a VM, &/or optionally delete it to save space once you've created your bootable CD or USB stick. The included Recovery Media Builder works with either CD or USB stick targets, will use that included ISO, any other ISO file you choose, or even create one from a CD or DVD in your drive. [Note as below that you can't create a bootable win7 setup USB stick from a regular, bootable setup disc -- the bootable part of the disc throws it off & you'll get an error.] [Note 2, because of that required driver install & usually needing a re-start running Backup & Recovery portably doesn't include the ability to mount archives as virtual disks.]

If you're thinking about upgrading your hardware, either with a new motherboard or PC, one of the nice things about Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 is: "Improved Support of GPT disks and MBR -> GPT conversion". New Motherboards use UEFI in place of the bios setup you're probably used to, & that means GPT. Since MBR is so common today, many [most?] new motherboards support both MBR & GPT, which potentially makes it harder if you want to use GPT... win7 setup discs &/or win7 setup files on USB may be opened in MBR mode, so a target GPT drive/partition is unrecognized. A GPT drive also uses FAT32 [it uses FAT32 for a required, hidden partition -- you can use NTFS for the rest], & a USB stick with win7 setup files has to be FAT32 as well... in my experience you'll likely also have to modify the setup files on that stick so it'll boot with UEFI. Long story short IMHO it might be much faster/easier to go P2P, copying an existing win7 install to the target drive & adjusting it for the hardware as needed, or converting a MBR installation to GPT. Paragon software can help with either. In Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Compact Edition [Advanced View/Window] you can select the drive, then go to the Hard Disk menu -> Convert to GPT hard disk -- check the Paragon site for additional tools or apps.

Another feature I've found very useful from time to time, is the capability to mount backup archives so they show up as another hard drive/partition in Windows -- that way I can simply copy any files/folders from the backup. Today's GOTD will also let you restore just those files/folders that you want/need if you'd rather do it that way. You can perform the same sort of filtering when you backup in the first place, for example not including any .flv videos you've downloaded & stored, but in my experience it's much faster to just back up everything -- that's a big reason I try to store *temporary* content like that on another drive/partition reserved for stuff [content] that I don't regularly back up. I've also found the Smart Backup Wizard essential, as it'll let you back up just the first track on a hard drive, where all the boot info is stored -- I don't back it up that often, using the quicker to select Partition Backup instead, because that 1st drive track usually doesn't change... when it does change, say if you've added an OS or heaven forbid been infected with a root kit, it's almost the only way to put things back without wiping the disk & starting over. If you don't have a backup of that 1st track available Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Compact can recreate it using the Hard Disk menu -> Update MBR, but in my experience that's not as good as restoring a backup of that first track.

Personally I like to add/install older, often smaller hard drives to our PCs to use just for backups [instead of tossing out old drives that've been replaced, either individually or with a new PC]. Restoring all or part of these locally stored archives is fastest. I also copy these archives to an external eSATA drive, for redundancy, & every so often I'll burn sets of archives to discs as data files rather than in the Paragon app. You can burn your backup to discs in Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Compact of course, but I try to keep things modular so-to-speak -- as example that way I can back up my wife's PC when she's not using it, copy those archives to the external drive while I'm doing something else, then burn DVDs/BDs from my desk from the external drive when it's convenient. And because I've got her system archived on that external drive I can do things like restore it to a VHD [Virtual Hard Drive] to work on whatever portion, convert to a VM etc., all without tying up her machine. For restoration I prefer to run Paragon backup apps portably -- 3 files in this Compact Edition are slated for Windows' system folder, prgiso.dll, msvcrt.dll, & msvcp60.dll, & in most cases copying those to the Paragon app's program folder [where you'll find launcher.exe] allows them to work portably. I can run any number of portable apps after booting from one of my LiveXP or WinPE CDs or USB sticks, & when/if something broke [why else restore a backup?] I find that both easiest & most efficient since I've got several tools at my disposal. That said, there's nothing wrong with the *nix-based recovery CDs or the programming added to backup discs burnt from within Paragon Backup & Recovery, & I've used both occasionally.

Several pre-built systems, laptops, & allegedly win8 let you restore your system to some sort of baseline when things get all mucked up. Paragon apps [including today's GOTD] let you create what they call a Backup Capsule that lets you do the same sort of thing, only you're restoring a more current backup rather than putting things back to their out-of-the-box state [where you still have to add updates, reinstall software etc.]. This backup capsule is a hidden partition just for storing your backup archives, & just like those factory setups you can do an emergency restore using an added boot menu [e.g. before the menu that may come up to choose your OS]. One downside of storing backups on an internal drive is you're taking up disk space that you could be using for something else, & if the drive fails you're not going to be able to access the backup -- OTOH storing backup archives on internal drives is faster [both creating those archives & restoration], & storing redundant copies off your internal drive(s) protects you if the internal drive fails. [Note that while USB 2 drives/sticks &/or DVDs work, they're so slow they don't really compare to storing backup archives on an internal hard drive, aren't even that practical, being better utilized as a redundant, last resort sort of thing -- eSATA or USB 3 external drive housings or docks aren't expensive (they start ~$20), USB 3 (PCMCIA or pci-e) add-on cards start less than that, & you can find USB 3 sticks on sale for only slightly more than USB 2 versions.]

Finally in the way of tips, I always use Backup & Recovery's built-in archive checking if/when I copy archives via USB, where errors have an unfortunate habit of showing up. I also archive any VHDs &/or VMs by a simple copy, & delete them from any partition I want to back up -- they take a Looong time to archive, whether you're using Paragon Backup or something like 7Zip, though they do tend to compress Very well. Don't forget that Windows shadow copies, i.e. Restore Points, take up space -- sometimes quite a lot. In win7 I'll delete them, & in Vista & XP just turn System Restore off beforehand... it can make a Big difference in the size of your archives. On multi-boot rigs I've found Backup happens faster & with smaller archives if performed in XP rather than win7. In win7 ult 64 SP1 restoring a system disk/partition backup to a vhd, Paragon Backup & Restore normally adds that to my win7 boot menu. That's cool if that's what you're after, but have Easy BCD handy if it isn't.

More to #64 above:

If I have to uninstall Paragon Drive Backup 9.5 Pro,
does Paragon Backup and Recovery 11 have more features considering it is not Pro?

Trying to install the SW it says there is a previous version that must be uninstalled. I do not have a previous version of "Paragon Backup and Recovery 11".

I have other Paragon SW:
Paragon Drive Backup 9.5 Pro
Paragon Drive Copy 10 Personal SE
Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009SE

Not sure which one it wants me to uninstall. I do not want to uninstall a wrong one that may have more features than "Paragon Backup and Recovery 11"

Please respond before the giveaway time period expires.

Thanks

I may be confused here, but if it won't backup to an external HD, then what is it good for? A couple of the machines that I need to back up don't have room for another internal HD.

Todays version is :
Paragon Backup and Recovery™, version 10.0.17.13783 (04.08.11 ) Compact Edition

Component versions:


hdm.dll, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
biont.dll, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
biont.sys, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
Paragon Base Services Library, version 1.1, build 12383 (04.08.11 )

Paragon Backup and Recovery™, version 10.0.17.13783 (04.08.11 ) Compact Edition

Component versions:


hdm.dll, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
biont.dll, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
biont.sys, version 10.0, release 17, build 13783
Paragon Base Services Library, version 1.1, build 12383 (04.08.11 )

Coontinued
Point 4. This version gives you incremental and differential backup. Thr free version of Easus doesn't.

A couple of important points.
1. I've been using this for some time now and it is very good I run a nightly differential backup. I used it to recover from a total disaster and I didn't lose anything. (I use Paragon in conjunction with Dropbox for all of the files I am currently working on so I have an up to the minute backup of all of my current data files.)
2. Although there is no PE version available with this (Paragon has to pay MS to distribute this), there is a Linux based boot disk included in this one. It is just as good as the Windows PE and only a tiny bit less comfortable to use.
3. This is as good ad Easus and I personally stay away from Easus as they sent a lot of Spam to the forum I moderate. Spammers don't get my business.

To MikeR for the slow and unreliable connection have you tryed a
torrent program? Have similar problem in Canada with expensive data
rates and lousy connection, I can't remember how many overnight downloads
were broken only to have to restart from scratch, even
download manager can't always restart. Torrent tools get pieces of
files out of a block of many, after interruption it simply resumes
where it left off at, of course you have to share forward
with somebody else out there , round and round it works great,
access to limitless files programs, as you may have time on your side.
Have used this for years, best ever forums, eventually you find to
private trackers and treasure chest.

can this create a bootable clone to a new dardrive in Win7?

@ 36 and 41

For many years, microsoft has provided the Windows Automated Installation Kit. (WAIK)

It is a very large download at 1.7gb.

It includes a very basic winpe - not really usable as it is. It also includes various packages you can incorporate into the basic winpe.wim by using command line tools - those tools are also in WAIK.

WAIK is available free to anyone for deployment purposes, or for personal use.

If you wan to include winpe as part of a product that is being sold - then you have to pay a license fee for each one.

That has not changed.

Turns out it registered itself. I'm a little paranoid, because several times I've tried to open gaotd software only to get a message that it wasn't registered in time and the deal has expired. Frustrations aside, we are fortunate for gaotd.

Got Product key and license, but can't find a screen in which they can be inserted. When I tried going back to previous registration screen it said that the offer had expired. This is great software otherwise.

Downloaded in a few minutes. Installed fine on WindowsXP. 174 Mb installed. Nice windows program plus can create a Boot Disk on CD that allows normal or safe mode boot, network access, image copy, file transfer system restore if you have made your backup.

I've used version 10 to restore a corrupt Windows OS and it worked fine.

Most of us don't need WinPE. For those that do it can be created. Just do a Google search. There's also BartPE.

Can someone post the actual installation version for today's offer?

I grabbed this in November when last offered here. Although it's called Paragon Backup and Recovery 11, when I click Help/About, my copy says version 10.0.17.13783 (04.08.11 ). Go figure.

I like this, but I prefer Macrium Reflect for its simplicity and minimal footprint and for the ability to fully encrypt your backup images (Paragon provides password protection, but AFAIK the image is not encrypted).

Waited forever to download 304MB. Install kept repeating itself. registration was easy. But it takes a long time to backup and will not backup to an external drive. First time I uninstall a program from GOTD.
Very disappointed with this program.

Balderdash. EaseUS ToDo Backup FREE v4 is available for download any time of day. I am not at home at the moment but I think it even includes WIN PE Recovery support (the Paragon offering today explicitly doesn't). Either way, EaseUS is outstanding and I've relied on it heavily. It's saved me hours of rebuild time in disaster recovery. My girlfriend's machine just took a powder as well ... after reinstalling and getting all the Service Packs and updates back on (took HOURS) I imaged her machine using EaseUS as well. Indispensable stuff. I am sure Paragon is good, but why bother when Easeus Free ver is out there?

#35. I agree. Thanks for the ref to other software. I just cleaned off my school laptop and reinstalled MSwin7-pro. I used it's own backup software to do a full backup and recover disk. This of course after I downloaded all the patches/updates. I rather not depend on software that I can only install once and then 2 months down the road, I need it but I'll have to buy it to restore my system.

My usual caveat with Paragon imaging / backup solutions applies. I have experienced about a 92% success rate in creating a usable image. It is the 8% failure rate that will kill you (especially when you need the backup the most). Until Paragon implements an image validation check, the only way you can handle it is by making multiple backups and praying. Otherwise, Paragon makes some wonderfully useful products.

And yes, hotcore?.dll does interfere with XP safe / recovery console modes. Unfortunately, many backup applications that enable background backups have the same behaviour, the low-level driver does not have a routine to enable bypass during boot - poor design.

How does today's offering compare to Norton Ghost?

Here's an alternative I use daily for backups. I've used it to clone hard drives and partitions. It has always worked well without problems. Best of all ... you don't have to provide any personal information that can be exploited ... unlike today's offer.

EaseUS ToDo Backup Free Edition
http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

Fortunately, I downloaded this the last time it was on offer, it was smaller then, I have found making a clone of the drive well worthwhile.
However, for those of you who cannot download such a large file I recommend you take Giovanni’s #35 advice, as I did a few months ago, and use “Comodo Time Machine,” an 11 meg download.

It helped me recover from the following situation:-
In normal mode:-
Blue screen informing me Windows have been kind enough to stop my computer from loading in an attempt to save damage to it!
In safe mode:-
The same blue screen!
In an attempt to run the recovery console from CD:-
The same blue screen!
Basically I had a very expensive paperweight unless I lost everything and reinstalled Windows.

Enter “Comodo Time Machine,” it runs before Windows loads, I opened it with a click of the mouse, with a second click of the mouse I restored my system to an earlier state.
Low and behold I had a fully functioning computer again.

Why all the whining of 300MB? If you think that is much you could probably back up all your files on a 16GB USB stick using no software at all.

After reading #36, I checked the MS website and the latest version of WinPE does appear to be free since you can download it freely from here
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=5753

Those who grumbled about the size of the Paragon offering should be aware that WinPE from the MS link above is 1.7 GB!!