Recovery CD/DVD

Hi all, iam new here and a "newbie"

Now to my question

I have Windows XP with all updates, and i am not sure how long  time Microsoft will have "windows update" up and running, SO i do want to burn a Recovery cd/dvd.

That day the hardrive gives up or corupt the system etc etc, i would like to simply put in my recovery cd/dvd and Norton ghost, format my new hardrive and put all back.

How can i do this? btw i run Norton Ghost 15