an image backup of c drive..

[moosetracker]

I think that's what it's called. anyway something more then just a backup. One that you don't have to reinstall your software to get it into the registry.

Do I need special software? or is there a utility in W7. If not what do I need to buy?

I just.. just finished W7 installation. Now my D drive is failing. Both drives are the same make model and old, in fact they were in an older computer and almost everything in the pc was updated except the harddrives because they are more then sufficient in size.

So maybe I should replace them both. But I don't want to go through the pain of reinstalling. Anyway, I usually have to reinstall due to my husbands email "joke sharing" practice usually gives us a virus about twice a year.

This backup would be very helpful, I just never looked into it until now.

 

[kbz1960]

Depending on your version, I have home premium and in start,all programs, maintenance there is is backup and restore. In there you can create a system disk to either a dvd or external hd or whatever.

If you don't have that I've seen others say this works well also.
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition - Overview

 

[Dave76]

There are a few good free ones you can use.

This thread has a lot of free programs that you may want to look at.

FREE Great Programs for Window 7

This one is highly recommended here on Seven Forums and is free.

Macrium Reflect

With a backup image of your new installation of Win7 you can get back to a fresh install, just like it is now, in about 15 minutes.

 

[richc46]

Depending on your version, I have home premium and in start,all programs, maintenance there is is backup and restore. In there you can create a system disk to either a dvd or external hd or whatever.

If you don't have that I've seen others say this works well also.
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition - Overview

What kbz is saying is correct, but with one warning. From my personal experience and from one comment that I have read, making a system image (I think that is what your are referring to) to a DVD, really does not work. In my case I needed 6 DVD's while copying to the middle of the second, the process just froze for 2 hours. Finally, against my better judgement, I had to stop the process with the power suppy. A comment that I read in this forum indicates that he froze at the start and had to stop the process with the power supply, too.
Bottom line, make your copy to an external HD. A flash drive will not work according to MS.

 

[moosetracker]

I do have an external backup drive, where my D drive info is already backed up awaiting the impending doom of harddisk failure.
That will be where I plan to off load a image backup of the C drive.. thanks for all the great information.

 

[DocBrown]

Depending on the size of things & the size of your external HD. You could also do a Windows Easy Transfer as an additional type of backup, just for someting extra !

 

[terster110909]

Norton Ghost does not work with Windows 7. Symantec told me the patches will be available "in a few months". Until then you cannot use Ghost 14 or earlier. My 2 CDs are going back for a REFUND!
PS - Norton System Works is also NOT COMPATIBLE with Win7 (I will also return these CDs).