I was using Norton Ghost to do backups and while that seemed to work okay, I really wasn't comfortable using a Norton/Symnatec product because I've found them all to be bloatware. So I gave Acronis a try.  I set it up using Windows XP and had no trouble installing the program, nor adjusting the settings to make my initial backup as well as scheduling regular incremental backups thereafter. I used the feature of the software that creates a secured partition on the backup drive that can't be accessed by the operating system.  This partition does appear to be secure because Windows Explorer doesn't see it, and it is immune to the format command, as well.

The backups ran as scheduled, no problem.  Then I upgraded to Vista, using a clean install, rather than backing up the old and restoring on the new because I wanted to clean out some stuff that I no longer wanted. Acronis installed just as easily on Vista, no problems.

Couple of things: One, Acronis has more flexibility with scheduling regular tasks than does Ghost, and has more features as well. Second, I have not actually had to use the restore function yet; I have only been backing up my discs but not restoring anything.  So this review is qualified in that sense because I can't tell you if it does what it is supposed to do.  But so far, everything I had done has worked smoothly and the instructions are easy enough to follow.  I would recommend this as a backup solution.
I was using Norton Ghost to do backups and while that seemed to work okay, I really wasn't comfortable using a Norton/Symnatec product because I've found them all to be bloatware. So I gave Acronis a try. I set it up using Windows XP and had no trouble installing the program, nor adjusting the settings to make my initial backup as well as scheduling regular incremental backups thereafter. I used the feature of the software that creates a secured partition on the backup drive that can't be accessed by the operating system. This partition does appear to be secure because Windows Explorer doesn't see it, and it is immune to the format command, as well. The backups ran as scheduled, no problem. Then I upgraded to Vista, using a clean install, rather than backing up the old and restoring on the new because I wanted to clean out some stuff that I no longer wanted. Acronis installed just as easily on Vista, no problems. Couple of things: One, Acronis has more flexibility with scheduling regular tasks than does Ghost, and has more features as well. Second, I have not actually had to use the restore function yet; I have only been backing up my discs but not restoring anything. So this review is qualified in that sense because I can't tell you if it does what it is supposed to do. But so far, everything I had done has worked smoothly and the instructions are easy enough to follow. I would recommend this as a backup solution.