Disk backup image software (for example Norton Ghost)

[Potatoman]

Hi all - I would like to make a backup of my entire drive. I have heard of norton Ghost (NG) that can do this. So, how does this work? Lets say i have an image of my whole drive from NG and my hard disk totally dies. Would NG put that image back on so i wouldnt need to reinstall windows? Or would i install windows and restore the image? Would the image it makes be the same size as the "used" space of my hard disk? What about any applications and files and settings i had installed? Would they be put back on automatically? Thanks for your help. Im sooooo confused!

[fo3nix]

Yes, norton ghost is one of many that can do this.

You need an external (or spare internal) hard drive, to put the backup on. It creates what is known as an "image" of your drive. Basically, it replicates everything. Programs, music, videos, everything.

If the worst happens, you have two options. Either restore the hard drive to the factory install (there may be an option as you turn your computer on to do this), and then once windows is back running again (but without all your stuff), you can install norton ghost again and tell it to put the last image you backed up onto the hard drive; restoring it.

The other option is to use the norton CD as a boot CD. You can turn your computer on with the CD in, and providing your computer can boot from CD (it probably can if it's less than about 5 years old), you can immediately choose to restore your hard drive from the last image backed up successfully.

[boobesque]

you dont need a 2nd hard drive. you do however need a 2nd partition or if you are storing the images to dvd's then just a cd writer. the image doesnt read the files but the binary stored on the hard drive. so windows doesnt need to be reinstalled as it is stored in the image. also all of your settings, virus' files will be put back in exactly the same place when you restore the image. the image files can be compressed so no they are not the same size but you can make them the same size if you like (this would be a lot quicker). i have 51.8gb used and my image files take up about 30gb. this is high compresion and takes about 4 hours. this is all for norton ghost which is what i use. i have tried others but personally i think ghost is the best. ps. you can also just restore single files from the images if you delete or alter something by accident which can be very handy.

[fo3nix]

yea, boobesque is totally right about being able to put the image on another partition on the same drive. but it wont be much help if the drive itself has a fault.