I want to image my near-bare XP install. I've got all my basic programs (such as Acrobat and ABG) on, and it's fully updated. Just saves me time when it come to reinstalling.

I'm looking for a program that can burn the image to a DVD/CD and make it bootable so I can restore through that way. I've had a look at Ghost 10, but are there any other alternatives (pref. freeware ones) which can also do this?

PowerISO

There are plenty of topics involving imaging an install in this forum. Lots of people use Acronis True Image.

I personally use Norton Ghost 2003. I avoid Ghost 9 and 10. 2003 will let you burn to CD/DVD.

I'm not sure of any freeones but if you search in this forum, you may find a link to one.

PowerISO, afaik, only does CD/DVD images as an ISO, not hard drives. I could be wrong.

Check out http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/

Their Image for Windows and Image for DOS are quite less expensive than Symantec Ghost.

-John

Acronis True Image all da way

Acronis True Image isn't free, but I would definately look into that. I have played with the corporate workstation some and I really like it.

You can download a trial version from the acronis site ( http://www.acronis.com ) and see if you like it

If you look around you may be able to get the home version for a lower price.

Have a look at Drive Snapshot - http://www.drivesnapshot.de.

It is only ~ $40.00 and works like a champ. Best of all it is a single, self-contained executable that does require an install.

If you truly want free then look at DriveImageXML, http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm It is slower than DriveSnapshot and requires an install.

The good news is that both will work on a BartPE boot CD.

Good luck.

Acronis True Image.. Always..