Backup/imaging new Win 7 64-bit desktop

Okay, now that Win8 is about to be released, I'm finally making the move to Win 7 Pro 64-bit. I've been using Shadow Protect Desktop but can't move it to the new machine without a new license, so I'm looking to see what else is out there in case there's something better.

What do folks recommend to backup and/or image a Win 7 64-bit machine? I use a rotating set of external hard drives. (And yes, I do also have online backups.)

Thanks!

I have 2 computers recently purchased, a desktop i7 chip and a lap top i5 chip setups. Both have Win 7 x64 Pro. Now they both have the capability to do regular backups but it might be in the fact both are Lenovo machines which come with great utilities. I have also purchased a couple of Seagate Go Flex compact Drives in 1TB and a 2TB drive. These come with a backup system that does it in the background with no appearant slowdown or even noticed by me. That is the system I'm using now on both machines.

joecil wrote in post #13118400
... Lenovo machines ... with great utilities. ... Seagate Go Flex compact Drives ... come with a backup system

Which software are you using -- the Lenovo utilities or the Seagate utilities or Windows built-in?

You should be able to deregister your license of ShadowProtect and move it to the new system.
Win8 isn't coming so soon. I'd be surprised if it's within the next 6 months.
Personally, I use Macrium Reflect to image my drives. I used to use ShadowProtect, but I found them more oriented towards business environments, where Macrium's interface is very straight forward for "consumers" like me.

Win7 has built in imaging backup/restore. Pretty easily done.

Numenorean wrote in post #13119546
Win7 has built in imaging backup/restore. Pretty easily done.

This. My only problem was creating the boot disk that would let me reinstall the image, but I figure I can do that on another PC if I need to.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #13119536
You should be able to deregister your license of ShadowProtect and move it to the new system.

Nope, it's expired for a new install. I can continue to use what I have but not move it to a new computer.

Numenorean wrote in post #13119546
Win7 has built in imaging backup/restore. Pretty easily done.

tim wrote in post #13119815
This. My only problem was creating the boot disk that would let me reinstall the image, but I figure I can do that on another PC if I need to.

Great. Thanks to you both. I'll certainly test it thoroughly when the new system comes in. If Win7 has what I need, I'm not gonna shell out for anything else.

jgrussell wrote in post #13123092
Nope, it's expired for a new install. I can continue to use what I have but not move it to a new computer.

"To move a ShadowProtect® license from one machine to another, you will first need to deactivate the license on the machine where it is currently installed. To do this, go to the Help menu in ShadowProtect®, select Product Activation, and click the Deactivate button. After deactivating, you should then be able to activate on a different system.

Note that the number of allowed deactivations per license is limited. For testing purposes, we recommend using the free 30-day trial period rather than moving a license from machine to machine."

http://forum.storagecr​aft.com/Community/web2​case/ is their support link. They regulate their licenses to lower the piracy rate. If you contact them and let them know you are trying to move your license from one computer to another, they should help you out by resetting your license.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #13124994
"Note that the number of allowed deactivations per license is limited."

This. Been there, done that with them. If I want to use SC on the new system, I need to buy a new license. Not unreasonable given how long I've had this license and the age of the software I'm now using.

http://www.macrium.com​/
This is what I use now. Much more reasonably priced.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #13127124
http://www.macrium.com​/
This is what I use now. Much more reasonably priced.

I will definitely check that out, thanks.