Backing up initial installation of Windows

Backing up initial installation of Windows

Just yesterday I finished setting up my first DIY build with Windows Vista. I finished installing various pieces of software. Traditionally, I've always done a complete reinstall of Windows each year to wipe out the registry creep and make everything nice and shiny. But doing that has always involved completely reinstalling everything. What is the best way for me to accomplish my goal of saving the complete system state for posterity?

Asked by: Guest | Views: 218

Total answers/comments: 2

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Guest [Entry]

"Clonezilla

I'd recommend using Clonezilla to backup your system. (FREE)

http://clonezilladotorg

Norton Ghost

Norton Ghost works very well also but its not free.

I have an Alienware laptop (a few years old) with XP on it and one thing I got with it was the ""Re-Spawn"" CD. What this REALLY is is Norton Ghost on a CD. You boot up, then change to your data disc and restore.

The NICE thing about the restore is that it restores XP, all the system drives, etc, etc. with NO trial software, no antivirus, nothing.

The next step of course is to install antivirus, etc, etc but I absolutely LOVED the way they did the restore CD. Other laptop companies could learn a lesson from them.

Now that its a couple years later I've done a complete reinstall with updated drivers, etc, etc. I use CloneZilla and a plug in 1TB USB drive. I have my original bare bones install and a monthly backup of my laptop.

You can never have too many backups. ;-)"

Guest [Entry]

'dd' is actually a pretty good approach. There was a similar question asked here before.