Feature Set:  

O&O DiskImage Pro does just about everything we were looking for. The program can perform just about every function that most users need; from cloning an entire hard drive, to compressing data, to scheduling jobs.

When you first open this program it will simply ask you “which task would you like to run?” It gives you a choice of imaging, incremental image, restoration, clone drive, mount image file on drive or burn image on disc. Each section has its own set of preferences and customization features for complete freedom of imaging or you can select their default setting should you not need a high level of customization.

Once you get into the main control panel of the program you are offered a choice of file, tools or help. The file section offers simple things like select image, restore, add as job, select target, refresh drives and more. Each of these tasks comes with its own set of preferences. Through the tools section you can burn image files, convert files, merge incremental images, validate image files, mount/un-mount drives, check drives and more.

We found this imaging software quite capable and fast, it also offers a good collection of security features such as password protect, credential certification and AES 128, AES 192 and AES 256 encryption protocols.

There are only a few other things that we would like to see, such as the addition of Linux support.

Ease of Use:  

This is a critical area in this type of software, especially since even the phrase “disk imaging” may intimidate many non IT types. We found this software much easier to use than we originally imagined. And in most cases the default setting work quite well for most uses, so you do not have to know everything about file types and disk sectors and so on to clone your drive, back up data, restore data, burn to disc and schedule jobs.

In general we felt that very little was left to chance in this software and it provides little room for error. O&O DiskImage guides you through all processes and explains terms and actions quite thoroughly.

Backup/Restore Process:  

O&O DiskImage Pro can back up to a variety of storage devices or to partitioned sections of your hard drive. It can easily burn data to a disc and can divide large volumes of data into disc sized chunks for multi-disc burns. It can also back up data to portable devices like thumb drives, portable hard drives, CD and DVDs. Furthermore, O&O DiskImage can create ISO (disk image) files that can be stored, burned or even shared. For example, our trial version came as an ISO file that we opened using an “un-disker” freeware program.

Restores can be done regardless of whether your operating system can run or not. Some nasty viruses suspend the abilities of your operating system (OS) and make restoration difficult or impossible if you have not employed some type of back up method. O&O DiskImage Pro can be purchased as a download but they will send you a CD that is bootable even when your OS is not. This CD can be used to help you perform rescue restore type functions.

Help/Support:  

We utilized the O&O DiskImage Pro support features often and found them quite useful, informative and easy to understand. The software itself comes with extensive embedded support that includes quick access to updates, online support and registration information. The help pages are searchable and include a well organized table of contents and easy start up information. Online, O&O Software has a nearly 50 page PDF manual as well as FAQs, updates and more.

You can contact support by email and in a hard pressed situation by phone. They offer free support for registered users for 90 days. However, they are located in Germany, so email support is the best option for users in the U.S. O&O Software even offers email support for evaluation and freeware copies, with only a few days turn-around time.
 

Perhaps O&O DiskImage cannot save your life, but it very well may feel like that when it restores your valuable business or personal data. We found this software far less daunting than many programs and we think that it can satisfy most home users for single computer back up/ restore needs. The program works easily (almost thoughtlessly on the part of the user), which is saying a lot for this type of utility program.

All versions of O&O Software’s disk imaging programs have a trail version. We would recommend that you try it and see for yourself how easy this software is to use. And remember they even offer support to trial users.

O&O DiskImage Pro is a great disk imaging solution, and one of the best available. However, if you use Linux or Linux type servers you may want to look at Acronis True Image.