Freeware imaging solution? ie something like ghost?

[Mizugori]

Are there any free programs out there to image a workstation? That is, to make a copy of everything so you can restore settings, software, etc in the event of a virus or other issue that warrants formatting and reinstalling Windows?

 

[linney]

Have you looked at XP's Automated System Recovery? You will need a floppy drive (or perhaps an external USB Floppy drive) for it to work.

You may need a second partition for ASR to work properly.

298278 - ASR Restore Procedure Does Not Succeed When You Specify Drive C as the Destination for the Backup File

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298278&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

How to Set up and Use Automated System Recovery in Windows XP

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-18.html

Although some articles says ASR will not backup data files it does backup and restore everything that is contained in all the users Documents and Settings folders and subfolders as long as they are on the same partition as windows. It will not gather anything from other partitions on your drive. That information can be backed up separately.

When it comes to restoring, the ASR kicks in after Formatting your Windows Partition, copying setup files,installing Devices and Networks via the XP setup, booted from the XP CD and pointed to use ASR via pressing F2 early in the setup procedure.

For more information about other recovery options or using backup, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
Do one of the following:
In the Search box, type repair overview and then click Start Searching.

-or-
In the Search box, type using backup, and then click Start Searching


How to make Win XP Emergency Recovery Disk?
thread779-827200


If you want to spend a liitle cash try these.

Terabyte Unlimited

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/prodgrid.html

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm

Acronis True Image 10 Home

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

 

[BadBigBen]

FOG - A Free Cloning Solution

http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeghost/

Parted Magic (Linux Live CD)

http://partedmagic.com/

[tab]which has ddrescue and partimage...

[tab][tab]ddrescue will copy a HDD to another HDD bit by bit...

[tab][tab]and partimage will copy a HDD used sector wise (smaller image)

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[smah]

Fog (link in Ben's post) or Clonezilla

http://www.clonezilla.org/

 

[robmazco]

Im partial to Acronis.
Big reasons:
Can clone from Windows on the fly and its fast.
Also includes partioning tools and such in a nice neat package.

Worth the $50.

 

[2ffat]

For home use, there is DriveImage XML.


James P. Cottingham
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[melmitts]

Another "pay" option...

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm

 

[Grenage]

I'll second Clonezilla.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer