How To Make A Disk Image In Windows XP

Using Acronis True Image 10.0

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3 sections the home user should be aware of:

Choose Archive protection, enter a password...Setting a password is a good idea. Remember I told you that an image can be accessed just like a regular drive? That's why you should use a password, to prevent others from accessing it. Set your password.

Choose Compression level. If desired make modifications here. Most home users will never need to mess with the screen. The exception is when burning to DVD (see also Archive splitting). Currently the file system on a DVD only allows a maximum size of 2GB per file so you'll need to set it at that. The higher the compression level the longer it takes to backup and restore but it saves disk space. If your burning to CD/DVD choosing Maximum could cut down on the number of media needed. Choose your poison.

Choose Additional settings, check the Validate backup... box. Click Next.

You have the option in this screen to create a description of the backup.

Adding a comment can help you decide which image to use. Because disk space isn't a concern I don't use incremental backups. I regularly have 4-6 full images on my computers and at times have had many more. Make a description and click Next.

If everything looks right, click Proceed and let TI do its thing. Although not technically necessary I avoid using the computer at all while making an image (or any backup). I don't even move the mouse. It's a fast process so by the time I've grabbed a beer it's usually done.

Success!

Now you can finish that beer! See the next page on how to restore an image.

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