Backup help using Acronis True Image

[lida1111 via WindowsKB.com]

I am a novice so bear with me. I have done some reading and True Image
sounds like what I want.

I have 2 computers and a laptop and I will be purchasing 3 copies of True
Image 10 and back up all my hard drives on an external 320 gig hard drive.
Two of my computers run XP and one runs on Windows 2000.

I want to copy my complete hard drives because I have so many programs and
applications on each computer I would hate to have to reinstall them all. I
had to do it once before and never again.

My questions are:

1) If I had to reinstall, could I select what programs or applications,
files I want to re install? Many of them I don't use all the time, however,
I don't want to get rid of them, just keep them stored as a backup. I also
will be storing all of my music on the external hard drive.

2) What about programs that I have bought and paid for that are downloaded
from the internet like True Image, Norton Internet Security, Magic copy, etc.
Will there be any problems reinstalling them? (I absolutely hate that I do
not get a hard disk)

3) Do you forsee any problems that I may have?

4) Do you have any suggestions on how to make this easy for me? (Remember,
I am a novice that just surfs the internet and knows how to type and save)

Thanks for any help,
Lida

 

[Earl Grey]

Hi Lida:

1 - You can't choose which programs to restore. Program installations
are too complex to be selectively restored.

2 - Disk imaging copies your entire hard disk (or one or more
partitions)and, when needed, writes the copy back to your disk. Nothing
gets reinstalled. It's all a big trip back in time.

3 - How am I supposed to know?

4 - Disk imaging is a complex procedure. Take it slow, read all the
directions, do research on the web if you need to, and experiment.
Eventually you'll get the hang of it. The Acronis support forums can
help you as well.

Earl Grey