XP Image

[Reloader]

Something always goes wrong with my computer. It's inevitable that between one week and two months my computer will in parts not work, whether that's, stop playing DivX or taking half an hour to shut down.

System Restore doesn't work. The majority of the problems are still there.

What I want to be able to do is install Xp again, then all the necessary drivers and any applications I want and take an image of the System disk.

If anything goes wrong I could then just copy the image back. How can I do this without having to pay lots of money for a Ghost/Image/Backup software whatever it would be called.

One way I thought that might work if install XP from scratch and create 3 partitions. A 15gb (C) for my main installation. 6gb (D) for and second installation and the rest (E) for "My Documents".

I'd install XP to how I'd want it on C, then install another XP on D with just the basics. Copy C to a Zip file and leave somewhere C/D/E anywhere it fits. Then if I want to revert back I can just boot up D, delete C and copy the image back.

I could then update any drivers and make another image.

Will this work??? Can anyone see any problems. If I can't have two OS on one drive then I do have a second drive.

Or is there some free software I can use do this for me. I'd assume it would have to be run in dos on a floppy.

[Reloader]

Okay a simpler question might be can I and how do I create an image of XP pro?

[bailey]

ghost and drive image are the one I use, I don't know of anything that is good and free

[Reloader]

I saw that Norton Ghost was about $80. That's too much, do you have the web address of the stuff you use.

[bailey]

no I don't right now, I bought them at staples office supply though

[sataraid0]

I purchased Norton in 2003 with Ghost, System works, Anti-virus and clean sweep for 69.95 which I thought was a fine price for what it does. Still using it and works fine. Think if you shop around you can get same deal today or maybe cheaper. Hope this helps

[DJMG]

full featured 30 day trial version
Includes image making & burning


http://trial.alcohol-soft.com/en/

[Reloader]

How does norton ghost work?

[sataraid0]

Systemworks for 29.99 here is 2003 but virtually same as 2004

http://www.newegg.com/software/?DEPA=6

cant beat that price. Should do it for you

[Reloader]

I bought Ghost 9 for £39.99 / $72.

So hopefully this will do what I want.

[Reloader]

Following on from that, can I restore an image with ghost to another drive or machine, ie if I upgrade my machine will the image of xp like it or does xp install for only one configuration. If you get what i mean.

[bailey]

the system that your wantint to ghost it to must be a twin system, everything must be the same,

[sataraid0]

I bought Ghost 9 for £39.99 / $72.

System work comes with Ghost included. Not bad for 29.99 US

[Confused]

Originally Posted by Reloader Following on from that, can I restore an image with ghost to another drive or machine, ie if I upgrade my machine will the image of xp like it or does xp install for only one configuration. If you get what i mean.

If you use the boot disk you can restore the image to any drive or PC. You problem will come when you try to boot with the restored image. If major changes you will encounter major difficulties. If, say only the HD size is different then XP will probably sort it out for you.
Chas

[Reloader]

Cheers guys,

Ghost does exactly what I want, so I'm glad I paid the money for it now.

Thanks for your helps.