How Do You Check That Your Backups Actually Work?

[Unison]

It’s easy to see a backup job report “completed”, but that doesn’t prove the files can be restored. I’ve been thinking more about checking backups properly, especially system configurations and files that change often.

Do you test by restoring a few files, checking logs, comparing checksums, or doing a full restore occasionally? What’s your routine?

 

[Ferret]

I only do full HDD cloning personally, and while i don't always do it. Easy to load it to another drive and boot it.

 

[CyborJaX]

I am same as Ferret I do a full disk Clone. when I first did them on these systems I actually swapped drives to check they booted OK.
On one of my systems I left the cloned drive in and saved the original.

 

[Unison]

That’s a good way to check a clone. Swapping the drives and actually booting from it proves a lot more than just seeing “clone completed” on the screen. Keeping the original drive safely stored away gives you a known-good fallback too.

 

[coathanger57]

what do you guys use to clone your drives.

 

[Ferret]

what do you guys use to clone your drives. Clone Disk

Acronis Clone Disk

But ive tried free programs Clonezilla and DiskGenius too, all work.

 

[Unison]

what do you guys use to clone your drives.

Clone the drive

DiskGenius Professional 6_2_0_ is a good program recommended by spud

 

[Spud1966]

I use Hasleo to make a img of my OS and DiskGenius Professional 6_2_0 to clone

Hasleo backup suite will not let you clone a drive now on a external drive you have to pay for it now gerrrr

 

[coathanger57]

Thanks for your replies, will try DiskGenius out.

 

[Spud1966]

Send me a pm if your after the Pro version

 

[CyborJaX]

what do you guys use to clone your drives.

ORICO 20Gbps Dual-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD Docking Station, Tool-Free Aluminum External Enclosure with Offline Clone Function for NVMe M.2 Drives