Deric/Redk,

With all the time I am investing in imaging software, this is a good opportunity to look at the future system configuration.

Testing Ghost:

I need to get comfortable with Ghost. I will skip the File and Folder Backup and test Ghost Image restore of selected files such as word, a tax client, and anything else I can think of.  I normally set up a "test" document for each, make sure it's included in the backup. I will then backup the files on a DVD using Roxio Backup MyPC and delete from my C:/ drive. I would then restore using Ghost. Does this make sense? 

I do not know how I would test the entire image restore and that is the 64K question. Any thoughts?

New PC

My system is 3 years old with XPSP3. As mentioned earlier, I have a RAID 1 - Mirror. In the next year I will purchase a new system. I am not a pioneer on purpose as  pioneers suffer trauma through the testing stage.   I would rather hang back and wait for hardware/software as proven winners. Maybe W7 has reached that point?

I may revisit the RAID 1 in favor of multiple internal drives and the docking station you mention above. I know zero about docking stations. So any recommendation on system configuration is welcome.

 Redk says:

                      Using Ghost to image all of the partitions that have your OS and data is a great way to go.

Since the OS failure has been the villain with my limited experience do you isolate the operating system in one partition and the programs and data in another? If the OS fails then restore only the OS image and live happily ever after? I have not portioned a drive.

I really have no idea what I am talking about here so feel free to throw me a life line.

I am at the point I will do everything needed so the last thing I worry about is the loss of data.

Thanks very much.

Bob