I downloaded a trial version of Macrium to see what it does but it aborts with an error when trying to create a backup

There is a free version of Macrium reflect. It is not full featured, but it does permit making a disk image. If you are getting an error with that, then there is probably a problem with your system compatibility. 


Sounds like the problem may be a driver issue. If you have a raid controller enabled, it may be presenting your drives to the bootable OS in a way that is not recognized. The Win PE environment may have a more robust driver library, (or an easier way to add drivers on the fly) than the Linux version that Acronis is using on their  published version. They do have an iso available, that may have been updated since your version was shipped.

I have the latest 2013 Acronis True Image Home, Plus Version.   I also have an older version of Acronis Plus Version.  After posting on the Acronis forum, it appears its a known issue with some hardware. 

I don't have Raid drives.  I'm set to ACHI in the BIOS for my hard drives.

I downloaded the full Macrium, not the free version.  As its a trial version it may be crippled so that a backup can't be completed.  The full version of Macrium also uses Win PE as does the Paragon backup software.  Its not something special just to Acronis.

I've downloaded the WinPE iso from Microsoft and have made the iso data DVD.  I just have to go through the procedure to create the Win PE.  

I created the Win PE Acronis bootable rescue disc.  It does boot to a lite version of Windows 7 and then the Acronis recovery program loads.  I am able to see all the hard drives in my system, which I couldn't do with the Acronis Linux version.

But back to the original post.  If you are using Acronis True Image, and haven't created or tested the Bootable "Rescue Disc" I suggest this be done ASAP.  Test to see if everything works on your PC, including accessing the media (drive) that contains  the Acronis backup and if you can access the drive that you want to restore to.  DO NOT actually restore, just check to see if you can.  If you can't access the drive to restore to then you are in the situation I was in and will need the Win PE/Acronis version bootable rescue disc. 

Bummer, up until now I have relied on backing up my stuff with external drives, but that doesnt solve the dilemma if I crash, I would have to reinstal all my programs (which is a TON)

I was hoping on getting Acronis, but this all sounds way too complicated for a dummy like me to use. 

this all sounds way too complicated for a dummy like me to use

Since they are charging $$ for a program that is supposed to be simple, it does make you wonder about the appropriateness of the program to the target user. I have created a few special boot discs (Bart's PE etc.) in the past, and it is not something a dummy like me finds intuitive either. In fairness, disc imaging programs have never been really user friendly, and always had the potential for disaster in uninformed hands. The Windows 7&8 built in disc imaging is simple enough to use, but the web is full of problems people had if they tried to do anything other than use it exactly as MS intended. It is particularly unsuitable if you want to move the image file after it has been created. It is fine to say you can do a system partition backup to removable media, but who can back up their system partition to DVD? 

Does all this mean that one can or cannot buy the new version of Acronis and clone hard drives then if a crash happens, just restore everything to a new drive and be happy? .. or do you have to go somewhere else first before you can get there from here?
This fred is a little bit confusing to me, just being a user. I've never built or programmed a computer.

I want to backup, and I do backup to a seperate drive using Norton 360, however I am aware that I am not cloning. If I buy something like Acronis I want to choose an option, click the button, and completely copy any hard drive to another hard drive... but I am not sure I can do that, can I ??

Sorry to be so ignorant about this... but I am.

J

Does all this mean that one can or cannot buy the new version of Acronis and clone hard drives then if a crash happens, just restore everything to a new drive and be happy? .. or do you have to go somewhere else first before you can get there from here? This fred is a little bit confusing to me, just being a user. I've never built or programmed a computer. I want to backup, and I do backup to a seperate drive using Norton 360, however I am aware that I am not cloning. If I buy something like Acronis I want to choose an option, click the button, and completely copy any hard drive to another hard drive... but I am not sure I can do that, can I ?? Sorry to be so ignorant about this... but I am.

As mentioned above, I've used Acronis True Image 2012 (standard Bootable Rescue CD - not built with WinPE) to successfully backup and restore many machines... including those with Z77 chipset (including Gigabyte motherboards).

I bought Acronis based on what I read on the forums. It's "OK" but I have had issues where it seems to get confused and I don't like all the overhead it imposes. Something simpler would be nice. It does have some neat tools built in for drive formatting etc. Once a week I clone my drive and that's it. If I have a boot failure I swap the cables and get back to it. A good thing in the long run I suppose.

No program is 100%, just as some never have a problem with Sonar and others have varying degrees of problems.  Acronis is as good as any on the market.  The issue I had is not with ALL systems, but is a known issue with SOME systems, from the info I got on the Acronis forum. 

I took the time to create the WinPE/Acronis rescue disc.  It was not the big hassle I originally thought it was based on the initial procedure info I got.   

Thanks... I will buy it and if I get confused I will be back. This is a great place, with helpful people and I appreciate it.

I'll be back in any case to let you all know how it went with a dummy using it...
 
J