Make own recovery disks

Hi there.

So I'm doing a complete system re-install to factory settings on my laptop, and got thinking how much easier it would be, if I could make an image of my system (or something) after I'm done installing all the programs I use. That way next time I have to do this again I can just use that image(or whatever) to restore my system to what I need it to instead of what Sony Vaio packed in my hidden restore partion. I gues what I'm asking is "Is there any way to create your own restore partition with your own programs and settings"??? ?

 

yes, you need a program like drive image or ghost.

 

Yes with programs like acronis true image, etc. Anyway why are you restoring your system with all the sony installed bloatware again?. Do a clean install as there are lots of ways to do it.

 

Unfortunately when i do a clean restore via the method desrcibed in this forums (windows anytime upgrade), I lose functionality of all the cool quick launch buttons etc on the lappy. Not a big deal for me, but this one is my wifes and she likes them. Know any work around for that???

 

I got everything working after the clean install. You need to install the sony utilities again to make the quick launch buttons working. I followed scuderia's (Gary) instructions for clean install using my self made windows upgrade dvd.

 

Ok so far here's the programs I've come accross doing some more research.
Norton Ghost 12
Acronis True Image 11
Casper 4

Any suggestions to which one is the better of the three. Any others out there that are better? I read True Image 11 has issues with the latest Intel Chipset. Leaning towards Casper right now.

 

I own Vaio Vgn ar21m, I dual booted xp with all th bloat on a small partition, and vista on a large partition with only necessary Sony Utilities, best of both worlds. BUT like you I am thinking of restoring all this. Sony restore disk will work for part, i just ordered Acronis Ti, Does anyone know if Acronis will work for dual boot systems?

 

Everyone says Acronis Trueimage is the best (have not used it myself). If you have Vista Ultimate, it has this built in, called "Complete PC backup"

 

I have heard that Vista's Imaging App. does not use any compression. So if your drive is 10gb, then you will need 3 DVDs to fit it.

Also, Vista Business uses have the app. as well.

Edit: Another site it does have compression. This makes more sense.

 

I have Acronis True Image. It has come in handy so many times . I love how I can shove my flash drive into the USB and True Image will make that a bootable recovery drive. It came in handy since I had my backup on the modular drive bay and I didn't have a free optical disc drive.

I highly recommend it.