Bounceback Essential Recovery/Backup Software for Windows

I purchased this programme to back-up my hard disk because an initial version was pre-installed on an external hard disk I had bought. That version only backed up my documents. To back up the hard disk I had to purchase the full version. Despite five attempts to install it on two different computers I was unable to do anything with the back up because the back up menu never appeared. My external disk is probably fully backed up but there is nothing I can do if I ever need it.
Those intending to use it should carefully read all the documentation contained on the CD you buy. It does warn that with some models of computer you may have to enter into Set--up as you start your computer. It say nothing about ACER which installs its own peculiar front end which is just a minor nuisance. But on a Toshiba laptop as well!!
You can try your luck; I am going to purchase another programme.

I found this product so simple to use that I actually looked for more instructions - they just seemed so minimal when I went to the help index. However, it IS as simple as it looks.

I ran the program to back up my whole system, operating system and data complete. The software immediately told me me that the usb-driven external back-up drive I wanted to use (an old 3.5 40Gb Seagate) was too small by three Gb's to take my whole system.

I changed the external drive for a bigger one and immediately, this software picked up the larger drive and after just a couple of clicks it started the back-up.

There is a choice of full reporting of a file by file nature - or simply a progress bar for the whole backup. I chose full reporting, and watched for a while as each file came up and was copied. In this mode there are three progress bars for the file, the folder and overall - so it's very informative.

Then I left the system to do it's job and went out.

I came back four hours later to find that it was just finishing the last file - it took a whole four hours to copy the complete system so it wasn't exactly the fastest at around four hours total for just over 40 Gb's. However, on examination of the hard drive, it was a complete mirror of my main hard drive, with the addition of the expected recovery files. (The time element is of course due to the nature of USB2 transfer rates rather than the software I suspect.)

The on-screen menu system is excellent. I set my hard drive up to incrementally increase the backup by any changes every 60 minutes, but it can be set as low as every minute. I found this facility very impressive although I don't really need this level of back-up normally.

Recovery via the master CD, which carries the prime software too, is so simple. I did go through the routine to test it.

Basically, as the software installs itself during the set-up process, it also alters priority settings in the bios to look for first boot to the cd drive. On booting up the system, the bios asks whether you want to boot normally from Windows or to recovery from the CD. After selecting recovery - sit back and your computer will boot AND RUN from the external drive. In other words - you have your whole system back even if your computer is really sick.

This is the first time I've ever been moved to review such a product but I can't rate this software highly enough for ease of use, functionality and value for money.

Having recently purchased the BounceBack software, I found I almost immediately had to put it to the test following a hard drive failure. IT WORKED! No dramas, but I did need a little tech support which was swiftly and efficiently provided by the CMS UK support people.

Highly recommended.