Free Disk Imaging

[monkeyx]

Hi I am looking to use some disk imaging software for personal use. At work we use Ghost/RIS.

But I am wanting a product that can take a disk image of Windows XP/ Windows 2000/Windows 2003 OS and then be able to write that image back to a new HD in the same machine. Ideally I would like to leave the main OS running while creating the image file.

I am wanting to use a USB hard drive to store and restore the images.

I am aware of xxclone and DriveImage XML.

Can anyone recommend either of the above, or perhaps suggest another product.

Thanks,

monkeyx

[Samson]

I'm not sure about keeping the OS running while the image is created, I'm not even sure its possible, although I stand to be corrected on that one.

As for other tools to do this, burn yourself a copy of the Ultimate Boot CD from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

There are areound 8 or 9 different hard drive cloning tools, atleast one of which can do Drive-to-Drive.

Hope this helps.

[tech_guy]

We use DriveImage XML and have experienced no problems with it. Can image from OS drive to another drive whilst in the OS - we do it all the time.

[Geoff]

The only way you can keep the OS running while you move/copy it is with something like VMware Server GSX.

[craiglay]

I use DriveimageXML and its so easy to use. I use it on a BartPE CD and a BartPE RIS setup.

It works, the only thing it really lacks is multicast and command line options

[Midget]

Using a Boot disk you can use MediaTools to image a drive 1-to-1, in windows you can use WinHEX or EnCase to exactly copy a drive to image file, image file to drive and drive to drive.

[sqdge]

Ping is something I ocassionally use at school. I'm not sure how well it takes to USB though.

[monkeyx]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

I did have a leaning towards DriveImageXL, but will also give Ping a try now

[OutLawTorn]

VMWare Converter can create virtual PC images of windows while its running. I'm not sure if there is any ways of then deploying that image back to the PC tho?