Disk Imaging Software?

[Kustom Kid]

Explanation of why I'm asking:

So I just spent that last 5 hours doing a clean install on my media center PC. With all of the Microsoft updates, software, guide/channel setup, add-ins, etc., it took a lot longer than I had figured to get it exactly where it was before I upgraded some parts. Having to do it while the family was sleeping greatly cut into my sleep time.

Actual question:

What do you use or recommend for disk imaging. I've been putting off doing it for some time, but after what I just went through I feel it's time. Are the free options like Macrium, Clonezilla, or even the one built into Windows 7, good, or are there paid options out there I should be looking into? Thanks in advance.

[hansolo77]

I've been happy with Norton Ghost, althought I recently tried Acronis True Image. They both seem to do the job. I've only had to recover with a disk image a few times. The method I use now is a WHS (windows home server) daily incremental backup. Haven't had to do a restore yet, but everybody says its a breeze to do.

[nullPointer]

I’m a huge fan of CloneZilla. I can give it a very high recommendation (so long as console based applications don't scare you off). I’ve relied on it for a few years now. During that time I've recovered a disk from a backup image only a couple of times, but each time went off without a hitch. I'm a TechNet subscriber which (basically) covers all the Windows installations I can handle, but each TechNet product code is only good for 10 reinstallations. So rather than reinstall Windows I just roll back to a disk image made immediately after installing Windows (One image pre and one image post driver installation). CloneZilla has always worked very well in this capacity.

[rockyrocket]

Big fan of acronis, even used an enterprise version to image and restore linux partitions from within windows and it has never failed to restore yet.

But that being said my paranoia has kicked in and my weekly sunday morning imaging session now has me using macrium reflect free also.

[Kustom Kid]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up going with Macrium Reflect Free. From install to image to creating a restore CD it took about 35 minutes. Hopefully it will save me some time the next time my setup decides to take a dump. I will check out all of your suggestions and see if I like them better, but I wanted to get it imaged before it got loaded up with garbage.