Genie Backup Manager Pro
 

What's it do?

Genie Backup Manager Pro backups and restores files, documents, emails, settings, programs and more to virtually any local or remote device. It also provides free and unlimited plugins to or create to extend the capabilities of the software.


Does it do what it promises?

Reviewer 1: Yes. This proved to be a very effective and easy to use backup program.

Reviewer 2: Genie Backup Manager Pro is promoted as a backup program that can backup data in a highly customizable fashion to a variety of media. In my experience it does so. The company discloses in its FAQ that this program is NOT designed to backup and restore a whole system to it's pre-disaster state. Rather it is designed to backup data and critical files.

Reviewer 3: Yes, and more. This is one of the few instances when a developer's Web site not only refrains from exaggeration and hyperbole but, if anything, understates the quality and superiority of its product.

Reviewer 4: Yes.

Reviewer 5: Like many others, I know that it is critically important to backup the data and information I have so painstakingly, over time, inscribed on the hard drives of my computer. However, my tendency to procrastinate has been reinforced by the assumption that backup software is usually difficult to manage and time-consuming. This does not mean that I have never done backups; I have used about a dozen different backup systems over the years. But I have sometimes become lazy and let my current backup system slide, certainly a serious foolishness. Along comes Genie Backup Manager. Now I have no further excuse to procrastinate any further. This is an excellently-designed program. It is intuitive enough for a novice or new computer user to easily accomplish that essential task: backing up his/her critical and important data. At the same time as being simple for the beginner, Genie Backup Manager has many tools that will intrigue and interest the advanced and experienced computer guru.

Reviewer 6: Yes, it does. In most instances, I found it did even more than I expected, the single exception being its limitation on tape backup to a single tape. That effectively eliminates the capability for any full backups, the place where it's most needed.

Reviewer 7: Yes, Genie Backup Manager Professional provides a very easy-to-navigate interface for managing and restoring your backups. In order to back up you need to configure the backup, so Genie steps you through the process. You're prompted to select the location to store the backup - another hard drive, a USB storage device, another location on the LAN, an FTP server, tape drive, or CD/DVD (unlike many backup applications, GMBP provides internal support for burning to CD or DVD). You then select from directory trees the Profile items (email data, Registry data, Windows settings, Favorites, cookies, Desktop, things like that), specific drives/folders/files, and plug-in scripts to back up. You're also able to choose between a 'normal' (full) backup, differential, mirror, or incremental backup and the differences between these different approaches are explained well in the help files. You choose the level of compression you want and the degree of encryption, if any (from simple Zip password encryption to varying levels of AES encryption). The restore process is similarly straightforward: select the backup set to restore from, the items to restore, and whether to restore to the original location or elsewhere. Scheduled backups can also be set up. While I never managed to trash my system so that I could use GBMP to restore it, I did confirm that my backups were good by restoring files to new locations and verifying the files were OK; so, I'm convinced that, yes, it does do what it promises. Depending on your needs, there are less expensive versions of this program available, the Home version is $20 less and all you lose is Outlook profiles, media play lists, and backup to tape. I don't use Outlook, I don't use a tape drive, and my play lists can be backed up conventionally; so, for me there's no need to spend the extra money. There's another version tailored to the needs of gamers.


Was it easy to install?

Reviewer 1: Yes, I had no problems at all with installation.

Reviewer 2: Installation was smooth and quick.

Reviewer 3: Yes. The comparatively small (7.89MB) download for a program of such complexity and versatility downloaded quickly and installs using a very easy-to-follow installation wizard.

Reviewer 4: Yes, although it did require a reboot.

Reviewer 5: Yes this program installed easily and without a hitch. I was able to place it in the folder of my choice and to define its name and place in the start menu. An icon was also placed on the desktop. In order to make sure that backups will be kept up-to-date, I have allowed it to load when the computer starts up.

Reviewer 6: Yes, very easy, quick, and painless. The tutorials presented immediately after installation were well-chosen topics, thorough, well-presented, and sufficient to for any reasonably experienced PC user. The one problem I had in selecting Global Preference options was in specifying which of the 2 HDDs chosen was to be the spill drive in case the backup exceeded the 1st drive's capacity. I thought I'd anchored the drives in the sequence I wanted them used, but found the spill drive was used first when the backup began. Eventually, the full backup aborted at 96 minutes into the run. I discovered that the problem was that both the primary and spill drives had to be listed in the multi drive list, not just the spill drive. Genie's user interface should note that all backup drives need to be listed there. In the installation dialogue, having to accept the EULA without the ability to print and read it carefully is an unnecessary annoyance.

Reviewer 7: The installation process permitted me to install the product in a new folder on a secondary drive, which is a very important option for me. As seems to be the norm, the license agreement promises as close to nothing as their lawyers could manage, and in places where an implied warranty overrides their terms, their liability is limited to $1 USD. While the license is limited to the individual who purchased the software and only a single computer, they thoughtfully offer site licenses. They do permit archival copies of the program.


Good points?

Reviewer 1: Genie Backup Manager Pro 6 is an all-in-one backup program with easy-to-use, powerful features to help you archive and restore your personal files, documents, emails, complex Windows settings, programs, and more to virtually any local or remote device, ensuring the safety of your data in case of a disaster requiring you to restore your system. I have to say that this product has a very complete set of features, perhaps the best I've used. It can back up to just about any type of media available including DVD, CD, memory stick, or tape. Backup Manager Pro 6 also fully supports automatic media spanning so you can backup across multiple CDs, DVDs or tapes. The help system is clear and effective, offering instructions on every facet of the process and making things go smoothly; it even has a built-in video tutorial, which is worth taking a little time to watch. Backup Pro 6 allows you to schedule backups or make them on demand, and they can be full, differential or incremental to save time. It uses smart bit-level verification technology to verify that each bit and byte of the data gets backed up, ensuring 100% restorability.

Reviewer 2: In starting your first backup, you are led by a wizard through a myriad of backup options. Each step was easy to understand and navigate. You have high control over: which files are backed up, whether the backup is encrypted or compressed, the media to which you would like to backup, and whether the backup is verified. When you are finished, you are given the option of saving the backup options chosen for future use. If you use this option, then your future backups are quick and easy to run. One particularly desirable available option is to backup the files with the option to restore the data to a system that does not have Genie Backup Manager Pro installed. Another is the option to have a report of the backup emailed. Genie Backup Manager Pro can be configured to run as a service so a scheduled backup can run even though the user is not currently logged on to that computer. Although the license is restricted to one user on one computer, they make an exception for one user who wishes to use this software on one desktop and one laptop.

Reviewer 3: At the risk of sounding as though I must work for Genie-Soft, the developer's of Genie Backup Manager, I am not sure where to begin because this is about as perfect a program as I may have ever used. I have been using Genie Backup Manager for several years-most recently using the Home version 5.0-and what small and almost inconsequential faults I had with the previous version have been corrected in this latest release. There is now available: multi-drive spanning, a much improved and faster search feature for finding files, a new and enhanced backup engine, differential backups, Free Plugins, CRC Data Verification, the ability to run backups while logged off, and new Wizards to get you started which include and "easy and 'Normal' layout so that even the raw beginner will find using this program simple to learn and use. GBM is a very easy to use, yet powerful, program that can backup and restore files, documents, emails, settings, programs and more, to virtually any storage location, including hard discs, FTP locations, across networks, CD/DVD discs, removable media, and memory sticks. As I mentioned above, this program is perfect for all users. Novice users will be able to create their first backup job in a matter of minutes, thanks to the aforementioned intuitive Wizard interface, while advanced users will appreciate advanced features such as Email notification, self-executable back-up sets, scripting, and 128 bit AES encryption. Additionally, users who cannot afford to shut down their running applications during backup can also use the Open File Manager (OFM), an additional free add-on utility, to backup files that are in use (locked) by the system or other applications. Backups can be made on demand or scheduled, and can be full, differential, or incremental, and compressed or encrypted or not. They can further be verified on completion if you wish-which to me is a critical function, allowing you to be certain that the backup was complete. Another excellent feature not often found in backup programs is the Catalogue module that allows you to open any backup job and extract individual files to be restored, thus allowing you not to have to restore an entire backup job just for one or two files. GBM's features don't stop here. There is a feature called My Plugins that allows you to add additional features for free with one click ease directly from the Genie Backup Manager interface. These plugins enable users to backup different and/or additional software and their preferences such as Firefox, WinAmp, and many more. The number of plugins is being continually expanded. Also, unlike almost any other backup program, GBM's backup jobs are compressed in standard ZIP format, allowing you to read, examine, and/or restore the backup by any Windows program on any computer whether or not there is a copy of the backup program installed. And if this is still not enough to convince you of the ease of use and overall versatility of this program, GBM offers you the option of creating your backups as executable files, which means that you can restore any backup as easily as simply double clicking on the file. Now, while as superb a program as Genie Backup Manager is, no program is any better than its level of Help and Support but here GBM excels as well. While there is no email support or telephone help, there is an automated help desk, online forum, searchable knowledgebase, and instant chat. There is also one of the most extensive and excellent tutorials I have seen. Furthermore, unlike all too many programs being sold today, there is no time limit for support. Finally, there is a very liberal licensing policy which allows a purchaser to "use a reasonable number of copies of the registered version of the software"-something, again, almost unheard of today; and, there is also a 21-day money-back guarantee if the purchaser is unhappy for any reason. While the trial version is only fifteen days, I think this is suitable and adequate for a program such as this. All in all this is a rock-solid program and, I think, by far the best backup program on the market. It is no wonder that Genie has been selected by nearly every reviewer and major computer magazine as the gold standard for programs of this type.

Reviewer 4: It has many more options than I was expecting, but they did not get in the way of getting the desired job done. It uses an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach to setting up the backup job. There was also context sensitive help along the way. It has the ability to schedule backup jobs for off hours. The schedule is made through the software, but it uses the built-in scheduling functions of Windows, something that other software manufacturers should take advantage of more often. Once the backup job is created, it can be run right away or stored for later use. The Flash tutorial was short but comprehensive. Anyone would be able to use the software to backup their system after watching it. The software also was clear as to what was being backed up, including parts of Windows such as the registry or Windows settings. Restoring the data was also relatively painless. You can restore a single file or an entire backup set.

Reviewer 5: Genie Backup Manager has many excellent features. When you begin, you will be presented with a Welcome screen. There are a number of choices, but I suggest you begin with one of the tutorials. These will help you to familiarize yourself with the main features of the program. These are very helpful, because in addition to learning how to start doing backups, you will also begin to learn some of the special vocabulary that is used in the backup and restore features of the program. You can begin right away with a simple backup. You will immediately find that Genie Backup Manager has provided to you with a number of special features that help you along. One is the "My Profiles" tab which automatically lists essential windows and system folders that most of us would probably omit from our regular backups; for example, Outlook and Outlook Express, the registry, your windows settings, your favorites, etc. Unlike any other backup program that I have seen, you can click on buttons in the left hand panel to see a backup tutorial, a restore tutorial, or help. The help is context-sensitive, so it will present you with the information that you need at this point in the program. Another tab gives you access to all the folders on the different drives on your computer, making it very easy to choose the data that you wish to back up. A third tab is called "My Plugins". Here you will find listed a number of the programs on your computer. By selecting any one of those programs, Genie Backup Manager will know which files from that program should be backed up. You can go to the Genie Web site and download free plugins for many widely-used programs. Genie Backup Manager comes with a script language that can be used to create new plugins. Upload these to the Web site where they get tested and then listed so that others can use them as well.. There are a few other features that I particularly liked. One is the option to "enable self-restorable backup". This is recommended when you are backing up to a CD or DVD drive. If you have to restore from the CD, it can be done even when Genie Backup Manager is not installed on the computer you are restoring to. As I have some fairly massive backups that need to be done from time to time, I use the "multi-spanning" feature, which allows me to spread it over several drives or locations on the network. If you deal with sensitive data, Genie Backup Manager offers several levels of encryption. This ensures that the data will not be available in any way to anyone else. This is important for me, because I handle confidential files. Finally, you can easily schedule your backups to run automatically so that they will always be up-to-date. With the additional "File Access Manager" program, backups can run at any time at all. It is not necessary to shut down your activities to allow the backup to work. Since Genie Backup Manager takes up very few system resources, even when it is working, this simplifies your task even further. May I emphasize again: this is a well-designed and easy to use program. You can no longer put off doing that backup you have been avoiding until now. You will be very happy that you have taken care of this essential task.

Reviewer 6: Genie's introductory tutorials are worth their weight in gold, by far the best of their kind that I've ever come across. The documentation is the most thorough and well-written of any PC program I've come across in the past ten years. Not only every question about anything I wanted to learn, or any problem I encountered, was answered in it, but they was also readily located. Genie Backup is one of the most complete and best-designed programs I've encountered in a long time It has a great user interface, comprehensive but intuitive, with all needed functions only a few keystrokes away. It also provides the most comprehensive set of backup devices and media of any backup program I know and it allows spanned HDDs and CD/DVDs and it supports differential backups, a feature I haven't seen supported in any backup program since DOS. Genie's price of $70, while at the high end of similar programs (and higher than its principal competition, Acronis True Image @ $60, is still a very good value in view of its functionality. While I had no occasion to use it, online support, with 24-hour response-time for registered users and 72-hour for nonregistered users, is first-class support, far better than found in most PC programs.

Reviewer 7: In addition to the main backup application, Genie Wipe allows you to wipe out erased data as thoroughly as you'd like, and Genie EyesOnly allows you to encrypt files or folders. Both are integrated into the backup interface, and can also be run as stand-alone programs. For the technologically inspired, Genie permits you to compile XML Scripts to automate the backup process; XML plug-ins for several games and applications are already provided. If you have the expertise and patience to catalog all the registry keys, dlls, and other files essential to an application, you can create a script to make a complete backup of that application. Restoring the backup will then restore the program, complete with all custom configurations, just as it was when you backed it up.


Weak Points

Reviewer 1: I have few complaints about Backup Manager Pro 6, except to say that the initial setup could intimidate newer users, especially if they forego the video tutorial. I don't see how that could be avoided, though, with the sheer number of options and settings provided. My advice is simply to use the help system and watch the tutorial.

Reviewer 2: Upon initial use, the program reported that it was not registered after it had been. When backing up to CD, it sent a message that the CD drive was in use when it was the only program using it. Despite the messages above, the backup to CD was reported to be successful.

Reviewer 3: As far as this reviewer is concerned there really are no serious weaknesses in this program. That is not to say that, as with any program, there are not individual user preferences, but with Genie Backup Manager Professional 6.0, I have to be very picky to find anything to criticize. My only criticism might be that Genie Backup Manager uses Windows Task Scheduler as its scheduling component rather than a proprietary scheduling program built into the software. I would prefer not to need to rely on the Windows Task Scheduler and it might create yet one more learning curve for the novice. I was also a bit surprised to see that the "Enable Rollback/Cataloguing" feature I mentioned above is not enabled by default (make sure you check this!) as I would expect; however, these are relatively and admittedly petty issues that in no way detract from the overall superiority of this product.

Reviewer 4: The only weak point I found was the difficulty in locating where to enter the registration code.

Reviewer 5: The only weakness I found is in the backup wizard. At one point, you have a number of different backup choices that you can make. Until you learn what these words mean in the context of backup and restore the difference will be unknown to you. A help button should be put beside each of the backup choices. In addition to defining what each type is, the help should also give examples of when one might use one type over the others. This would be particularly helpful to the new user, but useful to the more experienced as well.

Reviewer 6: My full system backup test run took two hours 57 minutes spanning two drives. It failed at completion, having backed up 32.7GB, compressed to 25.3GB, only 25% compression. An error indicated: "Microsoft C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error! Program:D:\Program Files\GMBPro 6.0\GMBPro.exe. This application has requested the Runtime terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information." Not only did it apparently nullify the backup file set, but it aborted the Genie program, causing the backup run statistics to be lost, as well. The requirement to be registered online in My Account I found cumbersome and I don't see any difference in the process for trial users. I could find no way to enter a valid User Name to go with the Registration Code I'd been provided. I suspect there is some way to navigate successfully through this set of screens, but I could never find it. While Genie is as well-designed as any comparable backup program I've seen, and actually better than most, I believe emphasis and resources should be concentrated on full, not partial backups. No one ever knows the names and locations of all essential files. The option for backup of the Registry deserves a more prominent position than simply buried in the My Profile list. It should perhaps be placed in Genie's Global Preferences tree. I cannot imagine any set of circumstances requiring backup of only a selected set of Registry keys. I would also like a slower/faster slide control; some screens vanished before I'd learned what I needed from them, and I had to repeat the entire sequence. I would also like a way to print the entire help file, since this is the only documentation for the program and a printed copy is easier to read than on-screen. The term "normal backup" for a full system backup should be replaced with the term "full backup." Genie's description of a "mirror back-up type" is ambiguous and further explanation is needed as to what it is or why needed. In the Backup Job Progress Counter, is the progress expressed in terms of time or data? Finally, there is a typo in "What's New ….Directly Form …" should be "directly from.

Reviewer 7: I was unable to back up to any of three FTP servers I tried. Realizing I hadn't set GBMP up as an FTP client in my firewall, I did so, resulting in a different error message but still no connection. Rather than providing a terminal screen or a log file of the FTP dialog, a simple 'Connecting to server' message provides very little useful information. The help system provides very little insight into the process of backing up to an FTP server. FTP wasn't even mentioned in the online FAQ, so I initiated a support ticket, which received a response within 24 hours. The specific error code was explained, a few possible causes were described, and it was suggested that I try the connection with different software. (I had already done that, which eliminated 'bad login information' and 'server problem' from the list of suspects.) We were unable to resolve this issue as of the time of this review.


Other Comments

Reviewer 1: I like this program; it's flexible, powerful, and easy to learn and use. Backing up data is important, and it's nice to have companies developing software that makes the task more manageable for the average user.

Reviewer 2: Windows is a dynamic operating system that is constantly rewriting files in the background and protecting files in use as it runs. For this reason, it is very difficult for a backup program operating in a Windows environment to backup all of the Windows operating system files in a "snapshot" which can be restored to yield a running copy version of Windows. This program does not claim to be able to do this. Therefore, while I would recommend using Genie Backup Manager Pro to backup your data, I would also recommend using an imaging backup program that closes Windows and operates under an alternate operating system. When Windows is closed, it is simple to backup the operating system files in a predictably restorable form. According to their message boards, the company is actively working on a release of version 7. Their moderator reports that if you purchase the current version 6, then the upgrade to version 7 will be free.

Reviewer 3: I am constantly amazed at the number of computer users who do not backup their computers at all, let alone have a plan for doing so. Now, while this may not be a crisis on a worldwide scale, it could very well be a crisis to you. We're talking about your hard drive. It will crash. Sooner or later, you will experience a hard drive crash and lose everything on your hard disk. Hard drive crashes happen to good people and if you're hoping to live a long life without one you're probably going to be in for a harsh surprise. When asked if backing up is really all that important I recommend a simple test you can use to adjust backup scheduling to your level of risk. You've heard of the Broadway play and motion picture "The Crying Game?" Well this is "The Crying Test." Simply ask yourself occasionally: "would I cry if my hard drive crashed right now and I lost everything on my computer? If the answer to this question is yes, then it's time to back up. And if you have not yet purchased a software program to perform these backups then you can do no better than Genie Backup Manager Professional 6.0. Is it expensive? The professional version lists at $70.00 so yes, it is a bit more expensive than a lot of software (there is a "Home" version available at about half that price); however, if after your hard drive crashed and you lost everything on your computer-remember this is your files, pictures, music files, personal papers, financial records, emails, and on and on-someone were to come to you and say that for $70.00 they would bring everything back to the way it was before your computer "died," I bet you would jump at the offer! Rarely do I give a recommendation without any reservations but in the case of Genie Backup Manager Professional 6.0 I can do so without hesitation. This is a superb program and one which I have used for a number of years and will continue to use and recommend.

Reviewer 4: I frequently work with high-end backup utilities that are very expensive. Genie Backup Manager does most of what they do for very little money. I'm glad they did not cripple the ability to backup network shares. I've seen this too often in a consumer-grade backup utility. I also liked the ability to create a CD that contains the software needed to restore the backed up files. Genie Backup could easily be used to backup a small home or office network. The software also has hooks to use Windows Shadow Copy. Shadow copy allows windows to make a copy of a file that is in use so that the file can be backed up. This is an add-in that must be purchased separately, but if a machine has to stay up 24/7 then this add-in would be a must have. The manufacturer also included some other utilities such as a file encrypter and a script compiler along with sample scripts for popular programs. The scripts are used to create plug-ins that help to backup specific software and their data files. The scripts are written in XML, so a third-party editor could be used to create them.

Reviewer 5: The purchase of a license for Genie Backup Manager allows you to install it on one computer only. However, an exception is made in the case of a desktop and a laptop. In this particular situation you may install software on both computers. Although this should be common practice, it is not yet so. Genie Backup Manager should be recognized for this progressive thinking. Support is offered on the Web site. Use the online support button on the main screen, logon to "My Account" (free for both registered and non-registered users), and submit your question on line. A message is sent to your email address when your question has been answered and you return to "My Account" to find the answer. Although I prefer direct email, I received an email message within a couple of hours that my questions had answered. The answer was, like the rest of the program, clear and simple and dealt with the particular issue effectively. Just in case I have not been clear - this program deserves your serious attention. If you have been lax about doing backups, please wait no longer. Genie Backup Manager is well worth the price.

Reviewer 6: This is definitely one of the best programs that I've seen as a member of this Review Panel. With an outstanding user interface, superb comprehensive functionality, and outstanding tutorials and documentation, what more could you wish or hope to find for in a PC program? I believe a 15-day trial use is insufficient for virtually any user's review; it should be at least 30 days, preferably 45-days. I did appreciate Genie's license exception to permit the program's use by a single user on a desktop and a laptop.

Reviewer 7: Genie Backup Manager provides a well-structured, intuitive interface to a comprehensive and powerful archival tool. When I had questions, the thorough and well-structured help system consistently brought clarification. That being said, I'm not inclined to read software documentation or help files. If a program forces me to do so just to make use of its fundamental functionality, I'm inclined to stop using it. I was able to set up and perform several backups, including restoration of specific files, without ever looking at the help system. When I did have questions, the help system was clearly laid out and I didn't generally have to waste time hunting around for answers. In my view, this is a perfect blend of excellent design and solid support.


Will you continue to use it?

Reviewer 1: Yes.

Reviewer 2: Yes.

Reviewer 3: Absolutely!

Reviewer 4: Yes.

Reviewer 5: Yes, it is now completely integrated into my computer's normal, daily activities.

Reviewer 6: Quite possibly, even though I have a lot of history, experience and backup sets associated with my regular backup program, Acronis True Image. Genie's differential backup capability may well be enough to win me over.

Reviewer 7: Yes, without question.

Genie-Soft replies: Minor negative fine-tuning issues will all be settled on Version GBM 7.0 which will be launched in April 2006
 

OPERATING SYSTEMS USED IN THIS REVIEW:
 Windows XP Pro, XP Home

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