What is the best backup software for Vista Ultimate and why?

It's free and rather good:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/09/Backup/default.aspx

willcomp - thanks, but I don't believe it meets my 3rd criteria (3) Allow me to backup only what I want to backup) - System Partition is required to be part of the backup - and I can't specifically select files (only file types) - AND there is no way to back up certain file types like executables that are on my data partition (their workaround is to store them in a zip file and tell the software to backup zip files!)

Pete - thanks - I have been a Norton user for decades... am trying to decide between Norton Systemworks 2008 to get other capabilities including the backup, vs. True Image.  Most likely, I will go with True Image because Symantec tends to make you uninstall other Symantec software whenever you install new software, EVEN IF you want to keep the other software installed (I have NIS 2007 with a 3 year subscription).

Anyone else?

Why not to use Vista native backup solution? If you are looking for something cheep and reliable, then look for Drive Backup 8.51 from Paragon. Here they offer trial: www.drive-backup.com
I had bad experience with Acronis when it failed to restore from backup done by True Image 11.
Later the support staff explained me that problems could be caused by bad sectors on HDD surface. But why let the SW take backup if it could not be restored later?
Definitely Ghost was the best solution but it is not Vista compatible. Drive Backup from Paragon is reliable (got no glitches yet) and their support is something extraordinary.

Thanks noxcho-
>>Why not to use Vista native backup solution?
I've already explained twice above ; )

>> Definitely Ghost was the best solution but it is not Vista compatible.
I am using Ghost 2003 with Vista - works great as long as you understand a few "gotchas" as far as Iam concerned are "gotchas" to understand regardless of whether or not you use Ghost 2003 (i.e. DOS based)

Would appreciate if someone could respond to the specific needs that I have listed above ; )

Acronis True Image 11! No two ways about it. Its the most comprehensive backup solution available on the market. I've tried everything and It's the only one that has consistently saved me countless times.

1) Backup open files under Vista 64 bit Ultimate: YES
2) Backup and Restore EFS files: YES
3) Allow me to backup only what I want to backup: YES
4) Allows me to automatically and easily create a full monthly backup and clear the archive bits: YES
5) Allows me to do a daily differential backup of all files with the archive bit set and NOT clear the archive bit - and the files OVERLAY each other every week (i.e. Monday's backup of this week overlays Monday's backup of last week) - meaning there will only be 7 differential backups saved at any one time. YES

I always keep my Acronis images on a 500Gb external USB hard drive. Personally speaking, nothing comes close and thats about as empirical evidence as you are going to get.

Hi SAbboushi, not going to advertise Drive Backup or any other solution because everyone has his or her preferences in interface and the way the software works. I have used Drive Backup since version 6.0 and now they have produced version 8.51 and I have never had problems with this SW.
All the requested features are supported and additionally simple partitioning and copying functionality is given.
Use trials before you purchase whatever you choose.

regards

I tried Acronis True Image 11, but I've had nothing but trouble with it. First off, I have a 50gb partition where Vista is installed. I used Acronis to make an image copy of that drive (which it seemed to do without problems). I also created the Acronis boot cd. The boot cd will not boot. I even had my neighbor create a boot cd with it, and that won't boot either. When I tried to restore the image to the drive, it rebooted into "Acronis mode" ok, sat there for about 5 seconds, then said it was completed successfully and rebooted back into the same version of windows (i.e. no restore). I can, however, get the individual files out of the backups. The thing is absolutely useless at image backups, though. It's also the slowest thing I have ever seen. I setup a little backup profile just to backup my email. After 3 hours backing up 3 gb of data, I finally just cancelled it and just copied the files over manually in a couple of minutes. Everyone else seems to love Acronis, so maybe it just isn't compatible with Vista 64. I sure haven't had any success with it, anyways, and am looking for something that actually works. The frustrating part is that Acronis has all the features and functionality that I want.

What about this one: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-professional/
Or try to get full version for evaluation purposes from them. It is free.

I use KLS backup software and I think it can do all that you want.

http://www.kls-soft.com/klsbackup/

Who manufactured your tape drive?  Vendors often include a single-server license of their backup software with the tape drive.  HP's drives come with Data Protector Express, which should do everything you need it to do.