as i'm now in the middle of a format and clean install . . . . . see the other thread, is it actually worth having a ' ghost ' type image or is windows system restore/ creating restore points the easiest option?

ghost (2003) is the only one i've used before and although i recall nero having a drive image function i've never used it. the opinions people have on these things seem to vary wildly so are they worth it really?

answers on a postcard please lol . . . . . . .

My opinion is if you clone a HDD then all the usal checks should be run to check the OS.

Why?Because you could be cloning a corrupt OS.

well what i was going to do, and did do was get everything on it software wise, connect up to the net last to finish off anything that needed downloading, then run MB spybot etc etc to make sure it's clean before ghosting it - figured that'd make sense and should be a perfect copy to have if the worst happened. the lad who the machines for is brand new to pc's so i'm trying to make it so if he ever buggers it up i can have him up and running again in no tine - cos it'll be me he phones lol

so. . . . . to clone or not to clone lol ???

am also figuring that norton ghost should run ok now i have the right mouse. . . . . . . seemed to be the only thing that stopped it last time, the temptation to try it again is a bit strong . . . . . but if people reckon sys-restore is as good without the hassle i'll leave it ?

System Restore means he will loose software and files if he doesnt back them up first.

What I normaly do when I reinstall a computer I update it fully as in software,drivers,SPs and so on.Once fully updated and all is running well I then create a system restore point.All my data is backed up to external HDDs.So if anything goes terribly wrong then I have hopefully one perfect restore point to go back to.

I understand what you are saying,yes run antivirus software I would run CCleaner also.

In command prompt run chkdsk /r to check the HDD.

Again in command prompt run sfc /scannow.

If all checks show up good then clone.

yeah that sounds good to me thanks for that . . . . . i'd rather play it safe cos it's not my machine lol i'll run those checks after i've tested everything's doing what it should be doing, not like he's short of hard drive space for it with 750 gig lol

thank you

dave

Hi Dave you are very welcome.Always better to spend the time checking these things and play it safe.

JB.