If System Restore doesn't fix a problem, you're often left with one very unappealing alternative: reinstalling Windows and all of your software. There is, however, a way to permanently avoid this unpleasantness: use an imaging software program to make an image of your hard disk.
An image is a snapshot of Windows, all installed software, all personal data files, and every loose bit and byte on the hard disk—or more accurately, on the active partition, which is the portion of the hard disk that holds Windows and your software. An image file can be stored anywhere that has enough space to hold it. It can also be copied back to the hard disk, taking Windows and all your installed software back to a time when everything worked fine.
What's the catch? Image files are big and can take time to create and restore. And imaging software—at least, brand-name imaging software that you can trust—costs up to $70. But if you want a backup solution that works every time, it's worth the time and expense.
Most imaging programs come with a verification option that checks for any errors in the newly created image file. Always enable this feature, even though it can substantially increase the time it takes to create the image.
- Prepare your disk The best time to make a disk image is when Windows and your important software are freshly installed. If you have a new PC, use it for a week to make sure it's working well and then make the image. If your PC isn't so fresh but is working well, clean it up before making the image. Clean the hard disk of viruses and spyware.
- Prepare your files You can shorten the backup process by moving noncritical files or previously backed up files off of the hard disk or the partition to be backed up. Video, picture, and music files, for example, take up lots of space and are best backed up separately.
- Get imaging software You'll find a number of disk imaging programs ranging in price from free to $70 or more. Making a disk image for backup is no place to cut corners; I recommend using an established product with a proven track record and good support, such as Norton Ghost 9 (www.ghost.com); it retails for $70, but you can find it for less.
Decide where to store the image Most good imaging programs can compress the image up to 50 percent in size, but the file will probably still be measured in gigabytes. A second hard disk is the most convenient solution because lots of data can be quickly moved on it and off it.
Some imaging software won't save the image file to certain types of devices like external hard drives or external DVD drives. Check the software specs before you buy.
If your imaging program asks you to make a startup disk or something similar, make the disk and put it someplace safe. These disks can be real lifesavers; they allow you to start up the imaging program and restore an old image when Windows won't start up on its own.
