My Suggestions For A Better And Easier
Computing:
-> First
partition ur HDD as follows. C: (primary, bootable) 10GB, D: (ur choice), E:
(10 GB)
-> Next
install 2 OSs, it can be XP,XP or XP,9X. One OS in C: and other E:
Let OS in C:\
be called "TRASH" and that in E:\ be called "GOOD"
-> Boot into
GOOD OS. Install all the important software (image viewer, winamp, winrar,
acrobat, ms-office etc) in E:\program files\. Tweak all you settings, Install
all the latest drivers, AV, service packs, patches etc and do the same for
TRASH if you want! ALSO INSTALL THE IMAGING SOFTWARE.
-> Now boot
to TRASH OS and move the "E:\Documents and Settings" to D:\ and
change the default Desktop folder and My Documents folder to d:\doc &
settings of TRASH OS. (right click on My Doc, Properties. There just change E:
to D:\ or manually "MOVE") for changing desktop u need a tweak
program (I use X-Setup, fast and free) NOW INSTALL THE IMAGING SOFTWARE.
-> Depending
on ur requirements, allocate pace for D: (say 15 GB). Now OS in E: is the main
OS is called GOOD (just for easy identification). and the OS in C:\ is standby
and is called TRASH (again this is for easy identification)
DONT FORGET TO
ON BOTH THE OS. (I use Paragon HDD Manager, it is fine. The compression is
good)
-> Boot into
GOOD OS. and change the default Desktop folder and My Documents folder to
d:\documents and settings.
-> Boot into
TRASH OS. Defragment E:. Now load the imaging program, take the image or save
image to file (NOT DRIVE COPY) and store safely (if it is on secondary hdd it
is good) or if dont have one, save it to different partition or save on CD.
For installing
image viewer, winamp, winrar, acrobat, ms-office and other must have apps use
the Program Files folder (E:\)
Now you are
done!
Since documents
and settings is in D:\, if u restore from image, your private files are NOT
lost.
The OS in C: is
TRASH and the OS in E: is GOOD. These are just labels for better
identification.
Use E:\ OS or
GOOD as your primary OS. After this install any software utls to D:\. Sort
software in categories like video, audio, dvd, cd, internet, graphics,
protection etc. and install each app in thier sub-folder under the category.
If anything
goes bad, goto standby OS, load Imaging app, restore the E-drive.