Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

Fix Broken Windows Fast

Space-hungry restore utility saves your system when Windows crashes.

Tom Spring

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Raxco Software FirstDefense-ISR

FirstDefense-ISR shows a snapshot's size.

FirstDefense-ISR shows a snapshot's size.Photograph: Rick Rizner
If viruses, faulty patches, or botched software installations have ever crashed your Windows PC to the point of no return, you know that the road to recovery can be as long as it is frustrating. And if you have better things to do than reinstall your operating system and programs, consider Raxco Software's FirstDefense-ISR.

This utility is an industrial-strength alternative to Microsoft Windows' System Restore feature. While System Restore backs up only Registry settings and select system files (and saves them for a maximum of 90 days), FirstDefense-ISR takes a snapshot of your entire Windows XP, 2000, or Server 2003 system--including your personal application settings and data, e-mail, and bookmarks--and saves up to ten snapshots indefinitely. This requires substantially more hard disk space (my computer averaged about 5GB per snapshot versus 1.4GB for the same PC using XP's System Restore). But the trade-off is that I can resuscitate applications, data, and settings that System Restore simply can't revive.

To test a $45 shipping version, I installed the software and performed several system snapshots. Next, I vandalized my computer by deleting vital files including Boot.ini, Kernel.exe, and Ntdetect.com until Windows XP Pro would no longer launch. I then depressed the F1 key during the next boot process, which took me to a FirstDefense-ISR screen where I picked a snapshot to roll back to. After that, my PC booted without a hitch.

FirstDefense-ISR shouldn't be confused with typical backup software: Its snapshots cannot be stored remotely. What the program can do, however, is save your bacon the next time you run into catastrophic system problems.

FirstDefense-ISR

Raxco Software

Rated 4 stars

An excellent rollback program--
just be sure you have plenty of
hard drive storage space.
Price when reviewed: $45
Current prices (if available)

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Deal Breakers

Special Offers for PC World Users

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links