A Recovery DVD problem

[Guest]

I have one of those computers that comes without a backup disc. I'm
supposed to make my own using the Backup DVD program included in the
original software. It doesn't work. When I go through the process, the
burner hangs up in the middle of the burn. It may be the fault of the DVD
burner. As soon as I set up the computer, I changed the DVD burner to a
different brand--that I vastly prefer. I did this long before I even tried
to make a backup DVD.

What can I do now to back up my software package without using the program
that came with the computer? What I'd like to do is back up the entire hard
drive--all 200GB of it--onto my external USB 250GB hard drive. What I don't
know is whether or not I can drop in a replacement internal HD, then
transfer the contents of the external HD back to it.

Any advice?

Thanks muchly,

Norm Strong

 

[David B.]

The easiest way is with imaging/backup software, Acronis True Image works
well and is recommended by many.
A free trial is available
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/index.html