Backing up patched OS

[DaveU]

I'm a PC Junkie who reformats probably
2 maybe 3 times a year. lots of game demos
and shareware stuff even if removed after a
format the system runs like new again.
Question is, How does a person go about backing up
The OS so that you don't have to download
all those wonderful Microsoft patches again?
Should I be Ghosting the drive often? and won't that
save alot of stuff I'm trying to get rid of?
Should I just endure the downloads all over again?
Thanks for the input.
These forums rock!

 

[loic2003]

I reformat maybe twice a year, normally not out of choice

I normally just download the updates. If you have the full service pack 1 downloaded
( http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp (get the 134Mb network version)), it saves a lot of time, then you just have to download 30megs or so to bring it right up to date.

Service pack 2 for XP is coming out quite soon (due Q2 or 3 of this year if I remember correctly) so you'll be able to download that which will eliminate the need for downloading the other 30megs.

Always best to have a fresh install of Windows than some hacked old copy of it stored on backup.

Hope this helps!

 

[johnjkr1]

Only 2-3 times! come on, you can do 10 like me! It's fun!

What you can do is, next time you format, get it set up just like you want, patches drivers and all, then ghost it right then. I personally dont like or use ghosting, but so people love it and it seems to work for them. Loic has a good point, your ghost would be out of date in a couple weeks anyway