Can I back up a hard disk to recovery CDs or DVDs

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Instead of reinstalling Windows, I'd like to be able to reinstall a disc image with all my other software included. In other words, I'd like something akin to HP or eMachines recovery CDs, where I can boot from the first CD or DVD and then reinstall a saved image to a blanked hard disk. I thought Norton Ghost might do the job, but apparently it does not.

Is this possible, or am I reaching too far?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Markbnj]

You can't get a whole drive, or even a whole windows XP installation (much less applications) onto one DVD. What those companies do, as far as I know, is keep a bunch of recovery files in a hidden partition on the hard drive, and then provide some software on the bootable CD to rebuild from the recovery partition.

What most people do is do a fresh install of Windows to a dedicated partition, install all the basic apps they want, and then image that partition using Acronis or Ghost to another physical disk. That way you can always recover your O/S in its pristine condition.

 

[Nocturnal]

It really depends on how much you install prior to you creating the ghost image. Most people do a clean install, get the programs they need installed, and then image the drive so that in case they have to format and reinstall, they just re-image the drive.

 

[RebateMonger]

You should be able to do this with Ghost and Acronis, making an image of the hard drive. You can definitely use the free NTBackup program that is available for XP, but you'd have to re-install XP and patch it to the same version as you currently use before you can finally use NTBackup. NTBackup will then restore your system to the same state as when you made your System backup. Note, however, that NTBackup will NOT back up to a DVD or CD. Only to your network, to tape, or to a hard drive.

Be aware that several versions of Vista have the ability to make system images and to restore them.

Also, the new Windows Home Server (available 2Q07 according to HP, but I'm guessing that 2H07 is more likely), will AUTOMATICALLY make full system images of ALL the computers in your home. It will automatically update these images daily and allow you to (hopefully) painlessly restore any PC you want to "pristine condition".

When (if) Windows Home Server is released, the world of system and data backups in the home will drastically change from its current (sad) state.
Preview of Windows Home Server.

 

[fraquar]

The data is whats important. Back that up regularly.

What I do is install the OS, all the drivers that I need, and configure any optimizing settings in the OS - then back that up.

There is a good chance that by the time you have to "recover" from that disk that the applications you originally installed have been updated - so no sense backing up installed applications unless they are ones that are no longer supported in the first place. Ghosting OS with apps installed works well if you don't plan on upgrading applications often - not so well for those who just "have to have" the latest and greatest applications though.

An alternative option is to create a custom CD uning something like nLite (for Win2K and XP) or vLite (for Vista - still not fully capable of what nLite is) where you create a custom install CD with all the latest drivers and hotfixes already integrated into the OS - as well as unattended installing of all the apps you want. Takes a little time to get it just right - but that CD will be fully customized for that specific computer This can also be easily updated for newer applications and drivers over time - just need to burn a new CD/DVD with those included and the older ones removed.

 

[readymix]

i just did this with a new drive in a 4 yr. old sony pc i'm reanimating. when i got the
pc i created a recovery media kit with whatever software sony had onboard, it built a bootable cd and a dvd. i poped in the new drive (same make and model) and the cd/dvd and it did the rest, it can be done, i don'nt know how but i'd also like to know what program does this.

 

[corkyg]

Why not just clone your HDD to a duplicate? It is always ready to go - bootable as is - no restoration required.

 

[readymix]

OK corkyg, i can do that. but you need to explain please. this noob needs details, explain if you would.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: readymix
OK corkyg, i can do that. but you need to explain please. this noob needs details, explain if you would.

The software you used is proprietary. It's strictly for Sony and Sony only. If you were to take that set of recovery disks and attempted to use it on a system that was built by yourself, you would receive a message saying that these disks do not work with non-Sony hardware.

What corkyg is talking about is using Ghost or Acronis to image your drive and or duplicate it by cloning it. It's the same thing basically.

The program you want to look for us Norton Ghost and or Acronis True Image Home.

 

[corkyg]

Right . . . I much prefer Acronis TrueImage 10. I avoid all Symantec/Norton products like the plague.