> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Patton
>
> I am building a new machine and will install WinXP-Home Edition.
> I wish to
> image the drive as soon as I install the OS for the purpose of easier
> restoration when windows becomes corrupted or bloated with other
> software/adware/spyware. Will I have problems with activation
> when trying to
> restore an image (Norton Ghost) to this exact same machine?  Would it be
> best to image before initial activation or wait until after initial
> activation?  Will imaging even work anymore with this activaiton issue?
> Thank you, Bill Patton
>

Bill,

I did exactly that. Installed WinXP Pro on a new machine and immediately
made an image using Ghost thinking that if I needed to do a complete
re-install, the WinXP part would be effortless. I did this BEFORE
activation. When I attempted to use that image on the same machine about a
year later, I ran into problems. It balked since it was past the 30 day
activation window but never allowed me the opportunity to activate. Rather
than fuss with it, I used a later image that had been taken after
activation. That one worked perfectly.

If you have your hardware setup (don't plan on adding/changing lots of
peripherals -- I believe the NIC and video card count a lot towards the
magic activation number), I see no reason not to activate immediately and
then take an image. I have done several re-installs and many hardware
upgrades and never had an issue with activation.

I have used Ghost (version included with SystemWorks 2003 Professional) to
make images and re-install the operating system many times on activated
systems and it works flawlessly. I have my disk set up with the operating
system on one partition, programs on another, and data on several others.
Therefore, I can image my C: (OS) and E: (programs) partitions in about
20-30 minutes and re-install in about the same. This can get me up and
running from a bad install, registry problem, viral infestation (hasn't
happened yet), or other borked OS problems in less than an hour. I highly
recommend it. BTW, I back up data to a separate partition and eventually to
CD or DVD, storing important data offsite.

Hope this answers your questions.

Jim Maki
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