Best Way to Backup and Restore?

[sjaguar13]

I format my computer periodically and then reinstall all the drivers and programs I need. I currently have the XP disc and my program disc. After installing Windows, Windows Post-Install Wizard installs the programs and drivers on the disc. I was thinking about creating an image of my hard drive right after I install everything. Then, I could just format my hard drive and mount the image. I have only tried doing the mounting thing once, and it didn't work. Is the easiest way just to install everything over again? I was kinda hoping that the image would take less time.

[EzyStvy]

I can pop a spare drive with an image on it and be up and running in under five minutes. So ys, it a bit faster then reinstalling everything...

Acronis True Image is real popular.

[sjaguar13]

My two issues about it are:
1) What if I upgrade the drive? The problem I had when I tried it was that both drives weren't the same size.

2) It doesn't seem the easiest to upgrade. If I install new programs and my computer starts acting up, I can't take a new image otherwise I get the same problems. I would need to keep the installation files and install them after mounting the image and then take another image. Since I have to keep the install files of everything after the image was created, it seems like an extra pain to keep track of the image file as well when the other way just needs the XP disc along with the installation files.

[EzyStvy]

If the drives aren't the same size then Acronis will either auto adjust the partitions or you can manually do it.

Most people install XP - all updates - all current applications which can take a few hours and then clone. Should the drive dies they pop in the cloned drive and don't have to repeat the first few hours of installing apps. Or, if after a few weeks/months of installing other apps, they clone again...