Each Windows Vista edition includes a ‘basic’ restore option. Located in: Start>> Control Panel>> Backup and Restore center. Vista allows users to automate the process quickly and easily. This feature includes such options as, how often you would like your system backed up. What day to run this process and what time of the day. Scheduling couldn’t be easier as the "Simple Backup Wizard" guides you through the scheduling process.

If you are using either Business, Ultimate or Enterprise editions, you have a feature called "Complete PC Backup and Restore" available to you. This is a very comprehensive, image-based backup tool used in the event of:

* System Disaster
* PC Malfunction
* File Loss
* Corruption of Data

The Complete PC Backup and Restore tool is capable of restoring the entire PC environment which includes all Windows and data files, installed programs and individual user settings. You can also take your system back to its original state and even restore the PC environment to a replacement PC if necessary.

If you are not able to boot your computer to the hard drive, you can access ‘Complete PC Backup and Restore’ using your installation CD

Not sure what you want? Are you wanting a different 3rd party program or what?

Hello tomherry,

You did not ask a question, but if you want a recommendation for good image backup I use both Ghost and Acronis image backup software.

One no more thorough than the other, both do a good job, safe and easy to use.

Here is an interesting site that explains Ghost image software well.

kind regards,

tomherry, has joined several sites recently and is sharing his knowledge

use backup software.

I use Norton Ghost 14, it saved my butt when i downloaded a shady file and clicked install, i cancelled it but it was too late, it was the wmsdkns.exe and it took over my computer, i couldn't get to the task manager. I used norton and recovered my entire computer to an image saved 2 days prior by Norton. Norton completely erased my drive and reinstalled everything perfectly.

Great work Howard.

For me I cannot understand anyone that does not have an image backup utility. I have never had to recover either of my HD's, but have done it as a test case with both Acronis and Ghost and it worked well. Took about 36 minutes to be up and running again.