Solved Replacing HDD - Need Plan and Backup Plan plus software

Please don't run away because this appears long. I'm just providing as much background info as possible to pre-answer any questions someone might have. I've been through so much stuff in this forum and on the internet that I'm now thoroughly confused. I've been trying to figure this out for several months now and it's driving me crazy. Here's what is going on and what I need to do.

I need to replace my O/S HDD. I have a new larger HDD to install. I need software that will do the following:

1. Move at least two of the three partitions to the new drive. The third partition is a recovery partition put there by Gateway. I have a CD that will do the same thing so I don't think it's needed, especially if I don't want to ever use it.
2. Create full backups of two computers
3. Perform automated differential backups
4. Run the backups while windows is running
5. I'd prefer that it also let me restore a single or several files from the backup file, but it's not a requirement.
6. Must be free. If I have to buy it, then I'll have to buy one for each computer and I can't afford that right now.

In my computer, my current HDD is 500GB and I'm replacing it with a 1.5TB HDD. My girlfriend has a much smaller HDD that has started whistling, so I need to backup her drive ASAP and replace it. I have an external 2TB drive that I've shared on my network. I want to install the software on each computer to back up to the external drive. After the backups, I need to replace the drives and restore the O/Ss to their respective computers.

Q1) I've been looking at DriveImageXML, Paragon Backup and Restore Free, Macrium Free, and EaseUS Free. So far, EaseUS looks like it has the most options, but I'm not sure if it will work while Windows is running. Does anyone here know?

Q2) They say that only the Workstation version (2 for $59.20) will restore to different hardware. Does that mean it won't do what I'm looking to do?

Q3) In their comparison chart, for Scheduled Backups, all versions have checkmarks but the Free version also says (Part) where the paid versions say (Full). I don't know what that means. Does anyone here know?

Q4) If there is another software that I don't know about that will do the above, please tell me.
I've been trying to figure this out for months.

If you've managed to read this far, can you help me? If not, do you have any tips on where I can turn for help?

I used Acronis to take my laptops platter drive and put it on my new ssd. Infact you can do all the drives on your system and put them back as they were.

It was fairly easy and quick.

I believe "Hardware" doesn't include hard drives.

In the "free" or "trial" versions they limit what you can do... obviously. With Acronis I could use it for 30 days, and pretty much only create my back image and a limited use usb boot stick.
I did buy it eventtually, and the paid version allows me to create automated backup in 4 ways plus more

Patonb said:

I used Acronis to take my laptops platter drive and put it on my new ssd. Infact you can do all the drives on your system and put them back as they were.

It was fairly easy and quick.

I believe "Hardware" doesn't include hard drives.

In the "free" or "trial" versions they limit what you can do... obviously. With Acronis I could use it for 30 days, and pretty much only create my back image and a limited use usb boot stick.
I did buy it eventtually, and the paid version allows me to create automated backup in 4 ways plus more

Click to expand...

Thanks, but I need a more permanent solution. I had downloaded the Acronis Trialware, but then other things came up in life and I wasn't able to use it before the trial period ended. While I realize there are plenty of trial softwares, I can't afford to be forced to buy it right now. I'd have to buy a license for both computers. And even if I must buy it, EaseUS also appears to be the most affordable. Are you familiar with that one?

I'm not familiar with EaseUS.

What kind of backups are you looking for? File backups or entire OS and drie backup?

I picked up Acronis for $19.99 on a sale, so it was relitivey cheep.

I need to do full drive images to restore to new drives of a larger size.
I need to schedule regular full image and differential backups.

Ah. Okay.

I'm thinkig you'll want to be buying the full version of whatever you decide on.

I do know Acronis is cheaper y the bundle, but 3 pc's will cost you $80 vs $49.99 each.

Money is a problem, especially $80.

Yha I figured so.

Have you tried setting up a reoccuring task to run windows backup?

No I haven't. I want to make the image so the file will be smaller. I don't think Windows Backup does imaging.

You must have a really good looking girlfriend if the HDD is whistling at her.

I'm not sure how to do it- file sharing etc., but if you can set up one system to see both your hard drive and hers on the network, then you would only need back up software on one system to backup both drives to the external drive. That would save you money, but I think you're going to need to spend some bucks to get all the functionality you want.

wither 3 said:

I'm not sure how to do it- file sharing etc., but if you can set up one system to see both your hard drive and hers on the network, then you would only need back up software on one system to backup both drives to the external drive. That would save you money, but I think you're going to need to spend some bucks to get all the functionality you want.

Click to expand...

That kind of networking is beyond my capabilities. I can't even get the folders to share properly, let alone sharing an entire drive to do a backup.

Is her OS Vista?

No, her computer is XP.

That's okay. I don't think you can share a drive (I'm not positive). Maybe one of the more experienced guys can help.

I would think, with so many knowledgable people here on Vista, that someone would have an idea where to get what I need. Anybody?

I can tell you which imaging software to stay away frrom ............ Paragon.

Take a look at this-

Problem In File Sharing Between Windows Vista and Windows XP

You can do all your backups requirements (except differentials/incrementals) with free Macrium. Works in XP, Vista, Win7 and Win8.

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Help Forums

And for the recovery CD, I suggest you download the .iso from my Skydrive and burn it to CD. Saves you 2 hours of WAIK download. With the CD you can do the recoveries but also backups (if you do not want to install free Macrium).

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=475a...cid=475A0A48CA6D4035&id=475A0A48CA6D4035!1812

The problem is that he wants to use one piece of software to backup two different computers on a scheduled basis. We're trying to figure out how to do that.

Basically, I want one FREE backup and restore software that will also do incremental or differential backups. I don't need to worry about networking the computers if I can install FREE software on each of them that does what I need to do. The reason for scheduling is so that I don't have to remember to do the backups on both computers each week. I'm trying to make things easier, not harder. I want to set it and forget it until I need to recover it.