AX64 - IMHO this is a real winner!

[locoJoe]

I have been looking for a replacement for Acronis since purchasing my new laptop. New laptop has UEFI bios and GPT partitioned HDDs. Even the new Acronis 2013 Plus Pack has issues with this kind of setup. I have been considering 2 softs, Rollback RX and AX64. I decided against Rollback. The newest v10.2 supposedly supports EUFI and GPT. Even so it is just this very newest version that does so, that worries me. No way to recover from a disc failure with Rollback either. Also loads of other issues and compatibility problems with Rollback that Ive read about.:

• Cannot be used as a backup program, because there is no way to recover from a disk failure
• No way to recover from a corrupted MBR caused by rootkits or other malware
• No way to backup to other drives such as external drives, network drives etc
• Power failure may corrupt the data on the drive
• Bad compatibility with imaging, defragmentation, file recovery, and other programs
• Decreases SSD performance and life by blocking TRIM commands
• Snapshots need defragmentation, uninstallation is a pain
• Prevents use of Multiboot system, because modifying the volume from another OS corrupts the snapshots
• Disables Windows recovery environment, because running the latter may corrupt the snapshots
• Prevents normal OS use of paging file, as a result some of OS functionality doesn't work properly
• Messes with the disk MBR
• Stability issues - lot of disk corruption reports

AX64 Time Machine is free of all above-mentioned problems. It's easier to use. Also it adds efficient means to browse the backups and recover old or deleted files/folders.

So I decided to read up on and then finally decided to install AX64. This thing is a work of art. For me it is perfect. It installed perfectly. It made an emergency startup CD and USB drive perfectly. I havent had a disc failure/crash etc to actually test how it recovers but according to demoneye it recovers perfectly. These are the main points that made me go with it.

From their website:

Does AX64 backup system hidden partitions?

Yes, AX64 backs up System Hidden partition for MBR disks, and EFI, MSR, Recovery partitions for GPT disks. It happens automatically when the user selects the main OS volume for backup.

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How the automatic merging works

Automatic merging is a process of consolidating the old backups in order to decrease the total backup count. It's necessary, because if you enable automatic hourly backups, there will be more than a hundred backups created per week, that will be very difficult to manage.

Considering that the older are the backups, the less important is to have small interval between them, the consolidation merges the old backups together as follows: it keeps 3 last hourly backups, then merges the backups together and leaves one backup per 4-hour interval for the last day, daily backups for the last week, weekly backups for the last month, monthly backups for the last year, and yearly backups onwards. This allows to have only a dozen of backups that cover the entire date range.

Automatic merging works only when Automatic backup box is checked, and applies only to backups that are taken automatically. It does not merge the files that were taken manually - this is done intentionally to keep all points in time that the user considered important. If you want to delete manual backups - use Delete button in Backup Browser.

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How to recover from a disk failure?

If your HDD/SSD failed, all you need is to plug a new one into the system, boot from AX64 Recovery Media, select the point in time you want to restore and press Restore button. The program will display the list of available hard drives. Select the one you need and proceed with restore.

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Is there a way to restore the partition table too in case it gets damaged?

Partition table is restored automatically if the original partition cannot be found. The program asks the user to specify the target disk, then creates the partitions and restores the data.

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No performance impact

Time Machine has zero impact on your PC speed. It has no processes running in background (unless you enable automatic backup).

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Give it a try. I think you'll like it. If this soft continues to perform well for me I will support the author and buy it. I say this about very very few softs. This is a no-nonsense soft that will recover from HDD failure (like Acronis) and also a great "snapshotter" (like Rollback). BTW this thing is way way faster than Acronis at backing up ur HDD. Also I sent the author an email asking some technical questions, he emailed me back 2wice in the same day, that was awsome. If you want to read more here ya go.

http://www.ax64.com/

http://www.ax64.com/tour.html

http://feedback.ax64.com/knowledgebase

thread on Nsane about AX64 with meds:

http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/

Edited August 22, 2013 by locoJoe

[AlexCross]

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

[locoJoe]

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Edited August 22, 2013 by locoJoe

[avmad]

You took your time loco :lol:

I suggest looking at the feedback if you have any suggestions for improvements. Or to see what's being worked on now, or vote for already suggested ideas.

http://feedback.ax64.com/forums/206143-general/filters/top

They really do listen to customers.

Another big difference to Rollback is the support they give. If you have a problem they will help until it's fixed, unlike Horizon Data :rolleyes:

[demoneye]

@locojoe

just to mention that ax64 is a brand new software who just hit the market couple of months by now , and its already so powerful ! that is amazing ,in the near future it will become more advanced and new features will be add to it...i am looking forward that :)

Edited August 22, 2013 by demoneye

[zzzzzz]

I have used for some time, but restoring repeatedly stopped and the system was completely damaged.

Restore worked fine just a disc / USB which makes no sense because it is a program for snapshots.

[AlexCross]

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Thanks, I tried it few weeks ago but it gave me an error, something like "failed to update the registry" or something like that.

Edited August 22, 2013 by AlexCross

[Roger D]

Well, honestly I'm not against this software, but you just can't compare this software with RollBack Rx, bcoz these two are different kind of softwares. RollBack Rx is meant for taking snapshots and backing up the entire system within the system in least possible size and time. That beats every software of its kind.. And Ax64 is just like other backing up software for taking backup of system within the system or in other removable storage..

I agree that there are some obvious limitations with RollBack Rx but this is the price you will have to pay if you want a real snapshot taking software.

and IMO if you really worry for the hard disk failure, then you should go for both.. Just Install RollBack Rx and then Install Ax64 or vice versa and then make backup of entire hard disk through Ax64 on any removable storage..

[locoJoe]

@locojoe

just to mention that ax64 is a brand new software who just hit the market couple of months by now , and its already so powerful ! that is amazing ,in the near future it will become more advanced and new features will be add to it...i am looking forward that :)

Hope they dont get too fancy, thats one thing I like about it. A few options like an "exclude". Hope they never add any of that crap other softs seem to always add. You know, the cleaners, registry, wipe disk etc. I hope they keep it "honest"

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Thanks, I tried it few weeks ago but it gave me an error, something like "failed to update the registry" or something like that.

hmmm...1st time Ive heard of the kg not working...there is also a patch by XenoCoder here: http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/169438-ax64-time-machine-121094/

I dont know if the patch still works with the newest version of AX64 tho....g/l

Edited August 22, 2013 by locoJoe

[Roger D]

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Thanks, I tried it few weeks ago but it gave me an error, something like "failed to update the registry" or something like that.

You must run the Keygen with Admin right to work it properly.. :) :)

[clubhouse]

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Thanks, I tried it few weeks ago but it gave me an error, something like "failed to update the registry" or something like that.

Make sure you run the keygen as admin!

[demoneye]

@locojoe

just to mention that ax64 is a brand new software who just hit the market couple of months by now , and its already so powerful ! that is amazing ,in the near future it will become more advanced and new features will be add to it...i am looking forward that :)

Hope they dont get too fancy, thats one thing I like about it. A few options like an "exclude". Hope they never add any of that crap other softs seem to always add. You know, the cleaners, registry, wipe disk etc. I hope they keep it "honest"

Waiting for a giveaway for this. :bag:

Meds here.http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/178264-ax64-time-machine-1201120/..simple Keygen works great. g/l

Thanks, I tried it few weeks ago but it gave me an error, something like "failed to update the registry" or something like that.

hmmm...1st time Ive heard of the kg not working...there is also a patch by XenoCoder here: http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/169438-ax64-time-machine-121094/

I dont know if the patch still works with the newest version of AX64 tho....g/l

seems they gonna stuffed it with many new option , make it bloated ...

http://feedback.ax64.com/forums/206143-general/filters/top

[ns870152]

AX64: I make the second/third backup but it always say "the first time", so I say goodbye :)

[locoJoe]

seems they gonna stuffed it with many new option , make it bloated ...

http://feedback.ax64.com/forums/206143-general/filters/top

some of the features they are planning would be nice. I seen about 4 or 5 that I wouldnt mind. Anyways I always keep old versions of programs around. If AX64 gets too bloated I will just use an older version. Newest is not always Bestest :D

[nIGHT]

I don't think ax64 is the same level as rollback rx. roger is right.

I can compare ax64 to acronis or other imaging system.

I've read that acronis really has some trouble with gpt and uefi disk.

I've been advised that when you have gpt and uefi system used then go for ax64 otherwise use acronis (preferably use just the boot cd to backup/restore).

BTW, anyone can confirm that acronis do work with windows 8 without a gpt and uefi system that has just a normal ntfs system in it?

[avmad]

Well, honestly I'm not against this software, but you just can't compare this software with RollBack Rx, bcoz these two are different kind of softwares. RollBack Rx is meant for taking snapshots and backing up the entire system within the system in least possible size and time. That beats every software of its kind.. And Ax64 is just like other backing up software for taking backup of system within the system or in other removable storage..

I agree that there are some obvious limitations with RollBack Rx but this is the price you will have to pay if you want a real snapshot taking software.

and IMO if you really worry for the hard disk failure, then you should go for both.. Just Install RollBack Rx and then Install Ax64 or vice versa and then make backup of entire hard disk through Ax64 on any removable storage..

Do not run both of these on the same pc. That's asking for trouble.

Personally AX64 easily replaces Rollback, and an image program, and deleted data software, and Shadow Defender etc for me.

If you don't have another drive, or partition available. Get one :D

It takes seconds to to take a snapshot after the first backup. Then only a few minutes to restore. You can jump around snapshots as you wish, or mount them.

It's a very useful little software :)

Any troubles could be because of imaging programs, or defrag installed. Check here for compatibilty if you have errors

http://feedback.ax64.com/knowledgebase/topics/34099-5-compatibility

There was a 50% off discount with BDJ already. There may also be a free version coming. If you're a member at Wilders you can ask Isso for a discount code. (Still available I think) 25% I believe.

[locoJoe]

OK...last night I got brave and tried a restore with AX64. I figured if Im gonna count on this to save my ass then I had better make sure it really does work well. I didnt use the boot CD I just restored from within windows. What I did was move around some files, uninstalled a few programs. I also regged one program via entry to registry via a .reg file. It took less than 2 mins for AX64 to restore and reboot my machine. Afterwards the files I moved around were back to their original directories. The two programs I uninstalled were back and fully working. Also the program I regged was back to its original un-regged state. So far so good. No adverse affects from doing the restore last night. Im feeling really good about AX64. g/l

[Roger D]

OK...last night I got brave and tried a restore with AX64. I figured if Im gonna count on this to save my ass then I had better make sure it really does work well. I didnt use the boot CD I just restored from within windows. What I did was move around some files, uninstalled a few programs. I also regged one program via entry to registry via a .reg file. It took less than 2 mins for AX64 to restore and reboot my machine. Afterwards the files I moved around were back to their original directories. The two programs I uninstalled were back and fully working. Also the program I regged was back to its original un-regged state. So far so good. No adverse affects from doing the restore last night. Im feeling really good about AX64. g/l

Just tell me how much space it has taken to make the backup of your C drive or system drive within the system?

Edited August 23, 2013 by Roger D

[locoJoe]

OK...last night I got brave and tried a restore with AX64. I figured if Im gonna count on this to save my ass then I had better make sure it really does work well. I didnt use the boot CD I just restored from within windows. What I did was move around some files, uninstalled a few programs. I also regged one program via entry to registry via a .reg file. It took less than 2 mins for AX64 to restore and reboot my machine. Afterwards the files I moved around were back to their original directories. The two programs I uninstalled were back and fully working. Also the program I regged was back to its original un-regged state. So far so good. No adverse affects from doing the restore last night. Im feeling really good about AX64. g/l

Just tell me how much space it has taken to make the backup of your C drive or system drive within the syste

My C:/ drive has 60gb of data on it. To back it up took 39gb. I have 2 HDDs. HDD #1 is 750gb and has two partitions(C:/ & D:/) c=250gb and d=500gb. The only thing on C:/ drive is Windows and installed programs. I use D:/ for games and movies, warez etc. My 2nd HDD (E:/) is also 750gb but is not partioned. I use it for extra storage (if I ever need it) and for my backups. Oh...and porn too :wub: . Anyways long story short, I have plenty of storage. I used to use Acronis and the backup files made by it were just about the same size as those made by AX64. btw only the initial "backup" done by AX64 is large, the following "snapshots" are small as they only reflect changes from the initial backup. It depends how much has changed from the initial backup as too how big the following snapshots will be.

Edited August 23, 2013 by locoJoe

[Roger D]

OK...last night I got brave and tried a restore with AX64. I figured if Im gonna count on this to save my ass then I had better make sure it really does work well. I didnt use the boot CD I just restored from within windows. What I did was move around some files, uninstalled a few programs. I also regged one program via entry to registry via a .reg file. It took less than 2 mins for AX64 to restore and reboot my machine. Afterwards the files I moved around were back to their original directories. The two programs I uninstalled were back and fully working. Also the program I regged was back to its original un-regged state. So far so good. No adverse affects from doing the restore last night. Im feeling really good about AX64. g/l

Just tell me how much space it has taken to make the backup of your C drive or system drive within the syste

My C:/ drive has 60gb of data on it. To back it up took 39gb. I have 2 HDDs. HDD #1 is 750gb and has two partitions(C:/ & D:/) c=250gb and d=500gb. The only thing on C:/ drive is Windows and installed programs. I use D:/ for games and movies, warez etc. My 2nd HDD (E:/) is also 750gb but is not partioned. I use it for extra storage (if I ever need it) and for my backups. Oh...and porn too :wub: . Anyways long story short, I have plenty of storage. I used to use Acronis and the backup files made by it were just about the same size as those made by AX64. btw only the initial "backup" done by AX64 is large, the following "snapshots" are small as they only reflect changes from the initial backup. It depends how much has changed from the initial backup as too how big the following snapshots will be.

Backup 39 GB ! That's why Ax64 is called Backup software not the Snapshot taking software.. It's just like copying everything for backup in another hard disk. but this doesn't make sense for snapshots. RollBack Rx takes about 300 MB for the Baseline Snapshot and for rest of the snapshots depends upon the changes you made..

Anyway,You are lucky that you have plenty of spaces for the backup, so good for you..

You can check various snapshots size in rollBack Rx..

Even after taking snapshots at these different stages the overall snapshots sizes will not go beyond 4-5 GB

:) :) :)

Edited August 23, 2013 by Roger D

[locoJoe]

Last night I was messing with some stuffz I probably should have just left alone. I am a curious person tho and with a little rum in me I finally decided to try this program I found elsewhere. (program and site to remain nameless as that is not the point to my post). Anyways to make a long story short, I f***ed up my computer. After rebooting from installing above mentioned program, my computer came up to black screen....oops!!!! I did have the choice of rebooting with recovery CDs made at time of purchase (which works) but would have left my system the exact same way it was when I purchased it. Which would mean long hours of installing and setting up basically everything. Or I could try the AX64 boot disc and backup. AX64 worked perfectly. It restored my system exactly to the way it was before I messed with the rogue program!!! Just wanted to let others know that AX64 works as advertised in all ways. I am going to purchase AX64 next payday. It really is a winner. The only reason I am here today posting this (or anything for that matter) is because of AX64. Otherwise I'd be installing programs and setting up my email acounts etc right now. Gotta love it. g/l have fun.

Edited August 27, 2013 by locoJoe

[uffbros]

Well today I installed the Windows 8.1. Then the troubles began. It didn't like Nod32 Hips driver apparently. It would boot to the tiles but no matter what you clicked on nothing happened. I shut down 10 times and same thing..Couldn't go past them tiles. I made an image before I installed 8.1 luckily. Now the nightmare I had. I made a boot USB on my other computer and brought it to this machine and tried to boot. I have UEFI and GPT mind ya. It said to check something in boot in bios but not much more info. When I booted from my USB drive of course it says UEFI boot and the name of my thumb drive beside it. I had a feeling that it didn't like UEFI boot so I went into bios and turned off UEFI secure boot and enabled legacy and I was fine from then on. One more thing..I was able to boot to the desktop from the boot USB selecting another option and when I tried to restore from within windows all you would see is a quick DOS window flash and nothing else..I guess secure boot was blocking that? Just haven't read anything about this on any forums about this problem and wanted to share in case anyone runs into this dilemma. So I'm back to 8 Pro and maybe it was version 6 of Nod32 the culprit and not 8.1 Pro. Take care folks.

[ns870152]

Rollbackrx works well with all Windows, AX64 can't restore in Windows 8.1

ESET NOD32 AV 4 works well in Windows 8.1

I tested editing some keys in registry and backup with AX64

After restoring, they lost

Edited August 31, 2013 by ns870152

[uffbros]

It can restore if you go into bios and disable secure boot. How can Version 4 of Nod work and not newer 6? Is it the hips function? If I remove Nod32 6 I could probably reinstall 8.1. I think Nod was my problem of not getting beyond the tiles.

[uffbros]

I have a SSD drive and RollbackRx is lying to their customers that it supports Trim and it has been proven it doesn't..I ditched them for AX64 Time machine and it didn't let me down here after I disabled secure boot and went with Legacy boot. I then changed it all back and boots fine.