Win XP backup utility vs Acronis True Image to make bootable CD

[AG]

I often do a clean install of Win XP. After re-installing Win XP, I would
manually install Windows patches and device drivers; this is time consuming.
I just bought a CDRW (Sony CRX300A) to make the process easier. The "image"
that I would like to backup would be a clean install of Win XP with patches
and drivers only i.e. the state immediately after a clean install. I'm not
going to backup any other software, the sole purpose is to make my future
clean installs faster.

Would it be prudent to make a bootable CD via XP's backup utility (is this
even possible?) or spend $50 for Acronis True Image 6.0? or is there a
better way of doing this?

 

[Guest]

----- AG wrote: ----

I often do a clean install of Win XP. After re-installing Win XP, I woul
manually install Windows patches and device drivers; this is time consuming
I just bought a CDRW (Sony CRX300A) to make the process easier. The "image
that I would like to backup would be a clean install of Win XP with patche
and drivers only i.e. the state immediately after a clean install. I'm no
going to backup any other software, the sole purpose is to make my futur
clean installs faster

Would it be prudent to make a bootable CD via XP's backup utility (is thi
even possible?) or spend $50 for Acronis True Image 6.0? or is there
better way of doing this

Using imaging software will give you the most robust and configurable results. But you don't need to spend $50 to get a decent imaging program. I like the offerings from www.bootitng.com. They have Image for DOS and Image for Windows (which includes Image for DOS). Both of these can image an existing partition or volume directly to CD-R/W (or DVD +-R/W for that matter). The more expensive Image for Windows is all of $26.98. If you'll be doing all of your imaging outside of windows the Image for DOS is probably all you need at $18.95. You would want to run this from a DOS boot floppy. Both of these programs create bootable restore CD's, making restore of your images very easy

It may sound like it, but I don't work for nor compensated in any way from the folks at bootitng.com. I just happen to like their software, their support policies and especially their prices
--
Tom Porterfiel
MS-MVP Smart Displa
http://support.telop.or

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Guest]

If you're planning to use Cd"s then you will have to use
a Image program. Xp's NTBackup will not span cd's it will
take several to backup just for the system. I think the
new Drive Image 7 from Power Quest is a good choice, but
programs are like lot's of things in life everyone has
one they like. I have used there boot disk twice and
restored the image 50 times at least worked every time.

 

[Dave Cohen]

You could invest in bootitng from bootitng.com, less than $50 and includes
partitioning and multi os support in addition to imaging. You can download
an evaluation version (you don't have to install to do just the imaging
part).
Dave Cohen

 

[John Keiser]

You can "slipstream" SP1 to update your version of WinXP for the enxt
reinstall. Do a google serach.

You also might find Autopatcher useful in reinstalling all those patches.
Download at
http://www.neowin.net/autopatcher/

 

[AG]

BTW I'm using Win XP Home. Is it necessary to run Microsoft Sysprep utility
to reinstall on the same PC?

Or is Sysprep simply not available with Win XP Home?

 

[AG]

BTW I'm using Win XP Home. Is it necessary to run Microsoft Sysprep utility
to reinstall on the same PC?

Or is Sysprep simply not available with Win XP Home?

 

[mrtee]

True Image is now at version 7.0, many improvements and additional features. It works great. I backup to another HDD (quicker than CDs) and TI now does incremental imaging as well. It is worth the $50 - $30 if you have an earlier version, see http://www.acronis.com/products/trueimage/ HTH.

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I often do a clean install of Win XP. After re-installing Win XP, I would
| manually install Windows patches and device drivers; this is time consuming.
| I just bought a CDRW (Sony CRX300A) to make the process easier. The "image"
| that I would like to backup would be a clean install of Win XP with patches
| and drivers only i.e. the state immediately after a clean install. I'm not
| going to backup any other software, the sole purpose is to make my future
| clean installs faster.
|
| Would it be prudent to make a bootable CD via XP's backup utility (is this
| even possible?) or spend $50 for Acronis True Image 6.0? or is there a
| better way of doing this?
|
|

 

[Alex Nichol]

BTW I'm using Win XP Home. Is it necessary to run Microsoft Sysprep utility
to reinstall on the same PC?

No. To do a fresh install, boot the XP CD direct. Enter Setup, and
after the license agreement take New Install. When it asks you to
confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the current partition and make
a new RAW one to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one

 

[Tom Porterfield]

BTW I'm using Win XP Home. Is it necessary to run Microsoft Sysprep
utility to reinstall on the same PC?

No, sysprep is not necessary. Sysprep is for if you want to prep the
image to be used to install on other PC's. You are going to be putting
the image back on the same PC if I understand you correctly.

Or is Sysprep simply not available with Win XP Home?

As far as I am aware sysprep works fine with XP Home.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Smart Display
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.