test backup images on vm

tf76

tf76

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Hey just wondering if you know of a free or paid program like clonezilla or redobackup etc.....to create a backup image of win and test in a vm program like virtualbox?


Regards,
 
tf76 said:
No it doesn't sorry.
That's just running your os in virtualbox.


Regards,
Click to expand...

Not quite sure what your looking for here, because my reply was going to be similar to HFultzjr's with Disk2VHD instead.

Maybe you could clarify your needs a little?
 
1. Use program to create backup image of disk.

2. Open vm program and mount/run backup file of image in it.


Regards,
 
tf76 said:
No it doesn't sorry.
That's just running your os in virtualbox.


Regards,
Click to expand...

Perhaps I don't understand your question......

Taken from the link provided:

First off, you need a conversion tool that can turn your local machine into virtual machine. VMware provides a free utility called VMware vCenter Converter for physical to virtual machine conversions. It has the ability to create a VMware Disk image of the entire system, including installed drives, local drives, configured hardware and software components, installed applications and more.
 
That's not the topic of this (your own) thread. You asked about "a free or paid program ...to create a backup image of win and test in a vm program like virtualbox" and that's what Harold gave you.

You didn't ask about then taking that virtual image and pushing it onto another system.
 
OK. Your point is valid.

This is the scenario.

I'm making a backup of my 2 hard drives.

I want to test the back up files so I know they work.

I was hoping I could do this in a vm environment.

Maybe I'm asking too much :)

Regards,
 
I don't know of any software that does that, though I'd love to find one. It would be ideal to image, confirm visually that all works well, AND have the option to push that image later onto a healthy drive.
 
The flagship backup service we use for your clients that was the best of the best of backup/disaster recovery/business continuity does this.....DattoBackup. Their Siris and Alto products, on a daily basis, will mount...and bootup, and take a screenshot of that successfull bootup..and e-mail that screenshot of the ctrol+alt+del screen to designated recipients each day. So each day we (and our clients) can quickly glance at that e-mail and get a warm 'n fuzzy that the backups worked last night (or not).

So yes the functionality I think you're looking for exists...it's not free. I don't know of free alternatives.
 
Off the top of my head I can think of 2 ways.

Use disk2vhd, prep for Virtual PC, and text in Virtual PC (or don't prep and test in Hyper-V).
Close disk with Acronis, Easus, Ghost, etc, then restore to a VM using a boot CD.
 
tf76 said:
OK. Your point is valid.

This is the scenario.

I'm making a backup of my 2 hard drives.

I want to test the back up files so I know they work.

I was hoping I could do this in a vm environment.

Maybe I'm asking too much :)

Regards,
Click to expand...


If you are just looking for a way to test your backup images........

Why not just restore them to a different drive and see if they work?

Using Acronis for making backup images has an option to verify the image.
You can also mount this image from within Acronis and access the original files. The image gets mounted as a virtual drive. I've never seen a verified image that wouldn't mount, although I'm sure it could happen.

Easiest (least expensive) would be to restore to another drive and test. You could keep using the same "test' drive over and over. Just keep your tested images somewhere else.

Even testing your images in a VM, wouldn't mean something couldn't go wrong when doing the restore process.

I would think the hard drive test would be most reliable.
 
Last edited:
It's easier said than done.

Still trying to get it to work. Virtualbox settings.

Oh well I can't be bothered. I'm going now to purchase another hd just for testing.


Regards,
 
Last edited:
Ive tried backup image to vhd conversion for a couple of imaging programs but had no success.

My way is take a Acronis (at the momnet) image
Create a virtual PC in VMWare
Boot VM from acronis boot CD and restore image to VM HDD.
Restart VM and boot from Hiren CD
Reset HDD controller
Restart VM and install missing drivers.

Ive had 100% good results with this so far. I also do this in reverse, build an image in VM and convert to physical PC.
 
PCS and Yeolde I think have your best answers. PCS has a manual, as you need it approach. But if you are looking at taking img backups on a more regular basis, yeolde and his persistence towards datto.got me looking at datto. Im now a partner/reseller with them, and they impressed me with.this. Kudos to yeolde for the referral. You get snapshots of your images. And if you still doubt it, you can launch it yourself and play around with it.
 
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