Asus Backtracker gone?

[Darnassus]

Where's the download for Asus Backtracker? Apparently it's been removed from the site? Is this another blunder because I just bought myself a 16GB 3.0 USB specifically for Backtracker and now it's not available? ':f

I also heard there's problems with it with Windows 8.1?

Now I'm even more scared to do a format.. ';f

[hmscott]

Darnassus wrote:
Where's the download for Asus Backtracker? Apparently it's been removed from the site? Is this another blunder because I just bought myself a 16GB 3.0 USB specifically for Backtracker and now it's not available? ':f

I also heard there's problems with it with Windows 8.1?

Now I'm even more scared to do a format.. ';f

Darnassus, someone, 1 person, complained that the newest version 3.0.7 gave him an error, I have used it and didn't get an error. If you use it and get an error, back off to the 3.0.3 version - it came with the JW/JX/JH.

ASUS Backtracker
http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=3&m=Backtracker&hashedid=n%2fa

If you are nervous about erasing your only copy of everything, your boot disk, you should be 🙂

I wouldn't immediately delete your source boot disk, I would boot on the USB Flash recovery drive, using another 2.5" disk to test it. Restore to it, and make sure the Backtracker created recovery flash drive works.

Don't forget, the 2nd bay drive needs to be removed, only have 1 drive in the machine when you restore, as the restore program deletes all the partitions on both internal drives it finds, and then recreates the out of the box config.

Have fun 🙂

[Darnassus]

Well.. why the updates? What changed since 3.0.3?

It also seems I have Asus Backtrack 2.0.0 on my PC already. ( It has so many spelling mistakes in it, lol. )

Also, I overheard that some USB 3.0's aren't compatible with using for backup? ( are you kidding me )

I'm using this, http://www.sandisk.com.au/products/usb/drives/extreme/

I really wish I knew WHY everything with these compys was so 'dangerous'. Incompatible this, wrong version that..

What am I to do? :'c

This isn't fun, hmscott! x'{

[hmscott]

Darnassus wrote:
Well.. why the updates? What changed since 3.0.3?
It also seems I have Asus Backtrack 2.0.0 on my PC already. ( It has so many spelling mistakes in it, lol. )
Also, I overheard that some USB 3.0's aren't compatible with using for backup? ( are you kidding me )
I'm using this, http://www.sandisk.com.au/products/usb/drives/extreme/
I really wish I knew WHY everything with these compys was so 'dangerous'. Incompatible this, wrong version that..
What am I to do? :'c
This isn't fun, hmscott! x'{

Darnassus, there aren't many fun gaming qualities to backups or restores 🙂

The JX is actually the only one with a Asus Backtracker download, it's listed under the Windows 8.1 downloads and it is version 3.0.7. There are no downloads for Backtracker under the JW/JH support area under Windows 8 or 8.1.

I upgraded to the 3.0.3 and did my first Backtracker Backup with it, and then the 3.0.7 version, but I don't think I ever used the 2.x series. I would try the 3.0.7 version first if you have updated to Windows 8.1. If you are still running Windows 8.0 then try the 3.0.3 version.

For some reason, there are lots of people that have USB 3.0 issues with all but 1 of their USB ports. You might want to run a CrystalDiskMark against the USB 3.0 flash drive on each of the 4 USB ports, and find out which one is the fastest, and use that port to create the Asus Backtracker flash recovery drive - if all ports run fast then it doesn't matter. I think I used the left front port for both my Asus Backtracker flash recovery creations, but all my ports run fast.

I had a new SSD to use for testing, it was the one I was migrating to anyway, so I didn't endanger my original boot drive. It worked great.

The incompatible flash drives seem to fail both on the creation and the restore, but I haven't had one fail so I can only relay what others have reported. That is why it is so important to immediately test the backup to make sure it worked, and successfully restores completely - the failures reported vary, but if it completes the restore and boots, it has worked.

That is why it is the first thing I suggest people to do out of the box, to create and test the Backtracker flash recovery creation and restore. Get it out the way, and you can then just do the fun stuff - but have the restore capability in case something goes wrong.

What are you restoring to for your test restore?

[Darnassus]

Well that's the problem I guess. I don't have a spare disc to restore to. I'll have to make a backup of my 1TB drive and wipe it, and test the restore on that, I guess. Does it make any difference if I try the restore on an SSD or HDD?

I'll try 3.0.7..

[hmscott]

Darnassus wrote:
Well that's the problem I guess. I don't have a spare disc to restore to. I'll have to make a backup of my 1TB drive and wipe it, and test the restore on that, I guess. Does it make any difference if I try the restore on an SSD or HDD?
I'll try 3.0.7..

Darnassus, using the 2nd bay drive is a great option 🙂

HDD, or SSD, or SSHD - you can swap the 2nd bay drive into the boot drive slot, and leave out your boot drive during the restore.

Good luck 🙂

[Darnassus]

Alright so... just to make this clear. What SHOULD happen is... if I install what ever goes onto my BackTracker onto my 16GB USB... when I take out my main OS drive, then shove in my clean one.. and put what is on the USB into the disc.. if it DOES go into the disc, I'll be able to BOOT, right? Actually go to the Desktop and use Win8 (stock from when I bought it, obviously) normally?

But if this DOESN'T work.. then I can safely assume my BackTracker doesn't work.. correct?

[hmscott]

Darnassus wrote:
Alright so... just to make this clear. What SHOULD happen is... if I install what ever goes onto my BackTracker onto my 16GB USB... when I take out my main OS drive, then shove in my clean one.. and put what is on the USB into the disc.. if it DOES go into the disc, I'll be able to BOOT, right? Actually go to the Desktop and use Win8 (stock from when I bought it, obviously) normally?

But if this DOESN'T work.. then I can safely assume my BackTracker doesn't work.. correct?

Darnassus, if you boot on the Recovery Flash drive, from Power On - tap ESC until you get the boot option menu and select the USB drive to boot, then follow instructions to restore, and after it completes and reboots, pull the USB drive and it will boot on the restored drive.

You can't assume anything until you know for sure what isn't working, there can be several elements to check before assuming it didn't work. Make sure not to change any boot options in the BIOS.

[Darnassus]

hmscott wrote:
Darnassus, if you boot on the Recovery Flash drive, from Power On - tap ESC until you get the boot option menu and select the USB drive to boot, then follow instructions to restore, and after it completes and reboots, pull the USB drive and it will boot on the restored drive.

You can't assume anything until you know for sure what isn't working, there can be several elements to check before assuming it didn't work. Make sure not to change any boot options in the BIOS.

Alright, seems my backtracker worked. Used the latest, 3.0.7, and I'm currently running off my HDD. I might just use the unit for an hour or two, see if anything happens..

[hmscott]

Darnassus wrote:
Alright, seems my backtracker worked. Used the latest, 3.0.7, and I'm currently running off my HDD. I might just use the unit for an hour or two, see if anything happens..

Darnassus, ...automatic updates most likely!

That's great news Darnassus, glad to hear the parts all work - and now you have a clean HDD backup to save for later, or in case the SSD restore doesn't go as nicely.

Nice job 🙂