Best image software

I worked a friends computer and I know she will mess it up soon. I would like a simple easy to use image program that I could use to restore windows in case of mess ups. I know Dell and others use the hidden partition so one could restore their computer to the day they bought it. I would like something like that if possible. If not then a good image program to burn to CD or maybe put on a thumb drive. Acronis True Image is what I have read here that others use. How easy is it to use ? I have been using Norton ghost 2003 but would like newer software that will not mess up when using SATA drives. Thank for any tips. Tom

Acronis is the way to go. It is relatively simple to use, no harder than Ghost 2003. The CD is bootable and can be used for backup and restore.

What OS are you backing up?

Paragon Express is free. It's very similar to Acronis. Link is in my signature.

If you have a Seagate/Maxtor drive, you can download the Seagate Disc Wizard, which is basically an older version of Acronis.

I use EASEUS Todo Backup, which is free. It also makes a recovery CD.

Don't back up vital stuff to a thumb drive. First, its too small for a drive image, second, they're not reliable enough. Use DVD's or an external HD.

IMO, the best imaging app is StorageCraft's ShadowProtect Desktop. But it's not as cheap as the others mentioned...

Hello,

The latest version of Norton Ghost, 15, supports the latest Operating System and also SATA drives.
It is also supporting cold imaging onto any kind of external devices, such Blu-Ray, NAS and so on.

I hope this can help.

David
Norton Support

Thanks, thats the info I needed. Tom