Originally Posted by
USAFAN
DenverBrian:
Thanks for this recommendation. The people from Geek Squad at Best Buy also recommend and use Acronis. BTW, Amazone has the new Acronis True Image Home 2010 for $19.99.
Now here is my problem/question:
I want a clean install of Windows. So I am going to make a mirror image of C: to my WD Passport disk. Then I install Windows. Then I copy the image back from WD passport to C:. Will I have still the new Windows (and saved files) ... or will Acronis also copy the "old" Windows and I have the same old Operating System before I started?
A mirror image is an exact duplicate, bit for bit, of the disk or partition.
So if you make a mirror image of C:, THEN install Windows, you will lose that installation of Windows if you restore the mirror image.
A mirror image is a snapshot of your entire disk at that moment in time. It's wonderful for situations like when your OS screws up and you're forced to re-install the OS, but then you'd also have to re-install all your programs and go through the 72 Windows updates and so on.
With a mirror image, you can restore your disk to exactly the way it was when you imaged - meaning you'll have a good OS AND all your programs installed properly.
I always image my C: drive just after buying a new 'puter, after I've got it set up with all the stuff I want; that becomes a reference image I can always go back to in an emergency.
I keep all my data in a separate partition to eliminate any problems with losing data when re-imaging.
In your case, I think you want to install Windows, get it all set up with updates and drivers (but not programs, if I'm reading you right)...THEN image the disk. This will create a "clean copy of Windows" you can go back to in an emergency.
P.S. The Amazon Acronis 2010 at $19.99 is a great deal, especially if you are on Windows 7. If you're still on Vista, ComputersWorth has their little bundle back where you can get Acronis 2009, McAfee, and a 4GB flash drive for $21. That's how I originally got my copy of Acronis.