Configure partitions as you may see fit. For example I wud create 3 partitions. 1 for WinXP, 2 for the Image file, 3 for FreeDos. Install the Operating Systems----WinXP and FreeDOS. Boot into your WinXP, place a DOS version of Symantec Ghost right at the root the drive where you installed FreeDOS, so that you can call it from the command prompt under FreeDOS. Create a batch file and you can call it RESTORE.BAT and also place it at the root of FreeDOS drive.

mine looks like this:
@ECHO OFF
ECHO.
GHOST.EXE -CLONE,MODE=PRESTORE,SRC=1:2\E264.GHO:1,DST=1:1 -SURE -FX
EXIT

may be you could use EOF instead of EXIT. Place the Image on the 2nd partion. Make sure your batch file points to the right locations; both for the source and destination. And use the correct Ghost switches.

Use a boot manager to select the OS to boot, otherwise let XP do its thing with NT loader. Boot into FreeDOS, at the command prompt type RESTORE. walaah..!!

@ esco


Quote:

Configure partitions as you may see fit. For example I wud create 3 partitions. 1 for WinXP, 2 for the Image file, 3 for FreeDos.

This method is a good alternative for laptops without a second HDD to store your image files to--but, be aware that as an emergency backup, it will not protect you if the HDD dies!!!!  Your backup image goes too!

You have to have a backup image on a second HDD or other media if you want to be protected from HDD failure--as opposed to just OS software corruption--which restoring a clean image back to the OS partition solves!

Just an added thought to keep in mind!