How to image a system..

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imported_goku

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2004
7,613
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I have a friend whose computer breaks quite often and I find it tireing to have to reinstall windows, updates, drivers etc... So what I want to do is image his HDD on to a CDR or multiple ones so that when I back up his files, I can just reimage this onto the computer with out much intervention.
Here are some things you guys need to keep in mind for the type of program I'd use.
1. I don't want to have to install this program on to his computer, then make the image from his machine (IE norton ghost or drive image from powerquest).
2. I want to be able to stick the disc into the computer and a prompt would come up asking me to copy the image over (possibly more options as well)
3. I want to to copy everything, the operating system, system settings, everything. And I guess the boot sector things as well but I need to make sure that in the event the HDD dies, and we buy another one, I will be able to use this disc with that.

Thanks!
 
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omarmakki

Junior Member
Jan 7, 2005
17
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Well, u can give Drive Image a try.
I have also heard about a better one made by Acronis but I just can't remember its name right now...
 
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pcthuglife

Member
May 3, 2005
173
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They still sell it. They merged the best of Drive Image and Ghost together....you still have most of the Drive Image capabilities.
Click to expand...
Trust me it isnt the same. Maybe im just a n00b when it comes to imaging but I find Norton Ghost to be very difficult to use. I can never get it to give me the option to backup or restore an image to a network drive. It only allows local imaging to a slaved hdd or something.

Im sure theres an easy solution but I shouldnt have to read the manual to make an image and save it over the network. Drive Image 2002 was the easiest imaging software ive ever used. Norton Ghost 9 is a pain in the butt.
 
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frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
Acronis True Image

Make sure to get the latest version....
Its so pathetically easy to use that one day while at work my dog had been neffing all day long as he usually does to past the time while I'm away. Well, he visited a few "animal explicit sites" and caught a virus. Without calling me to ask for tech support, he simply put in the Acronis True Image Boot CD and selected the image he wanted to re-install. 15 minutes later, he was up neffing again. Good job Rover!

But, seriously, True Image is pathetically easy to use. Just follow the wizards instructions and you'll have an image in about 10-20 mins depending on how big your installation is. You can copy the image over a network, to a CDR, DVDR, External Hard Drive, or another internal Hard Drive.

Nuff said
Good Luck! :p
 
pcgeek11

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,227
4,932
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Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Acronis True Image

Make sure to get the latest version....
Its so pathetically easy to use that one day while at work my dog had been neffing all day long as he usually does to past the time while I'm away. Well, he visited a few "animal explicit sites" and caught a virus. Without calling me to ask for tech support, he simply put in the Acronis True Image Boot CD and selected the image he wanted to re-install. 15 minutes later, he was up neffing again. Good job Rover!

But, seriously, True Image is pathetically easy to use. Just follow the wizards instructions and you'll have an image in about 10-20 mins depending on how big your installation is. You can copy the image over a network, to a CDR, DVDR, External Hard Drive, or another internal Hard Drive.

Nuff said
Good Luck! :p
Click to expand...


I think Acronis True Image is better for your needs as it will allow you to do an " Incremental " image so when you install a new program you just increment the image you already have lots quicker.

pcgeek11
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Echo Acronis TI 8. Also, from your description, I think imaging onto CDs, etc. would be a time consuming drudge. Why not just get a duplicate HDD, clone it (Acronis rules that area!), then disconnect it. Next time Mr. Midas has a problem, swap drives. When all is cool, then clone back to the 1st drive and put it away. I have three computers working, and every one of them has a duplicate or "reserve" HDD. It is faster, and, in the long run, cheaper than backup/restore from iamages.
 
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Pirotech

Senior member
Jul 19, 2005
352
0
0
Well, sorry, but as usual I can't miss disscussion about True Image:) I really LOVE this program. It awfully rescued me a couple of times when my system completely crashed. But thanks to God I backed up my C: drive and created rescue boot CD with ATI before it. And I was able to restore the system and my information. But that was entirely my IMHO:)
 
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