[chris.p]

This is not a simple issue and there are two solutions:

1. Use an online app (ie that works in Windows, with a GUI), if that specifically works without needing any new Windows files - all the data is within the image itself.

2. Use an offline app that works with the filesystem and not the live operating system files.


For (1), if you do not have the original CD - which probably applies to a lot of people as you don't get one with a PC now, even though you paid for it - you can use Acronis. This doesn't need any other files, the boot CD is created within the app itself, and all the data you need is inside the image. It creates its own type of boot CD that needs no Windows files.

[this para edited - additional info from Grimbles - ta!]
You can use Macrium provided that you use the 'within the app' Linux boot CD option - this doesn't need extra Windows files. The BartCD boot disc option can't be used as it needs new Windows original files - the original Windows disc is placed in the CD drive, to have the files extracted. The Linux disc build doesn't work for some people, though.

With (2), Windows is not involved at any stage, so it is irrelevant. The image application just takes a block of data off the hard disk and restores it, whatever is in that data is not important. You can find several apps of that type on the review page - the ones that work offline, with the filesystem.

Some prefer the offline types to the GUI ones. They are initially harder to use, but less sensitive to OS variations and disk issues. Choose one according to your evaluation of the reviews. Everyone seems to have a different idea about which one they prefer.

The only further advice I can give is TEST YOUR IMAGE BY RESTORING IT. If you don't, it may not work, due to a small error in parameter settings when creating the image. It's no good waiting till you need it for real.

As crazy as that sounds, plenty of people do that, then are disappointed. It's well worth going out of your way to find some method to try restoring the image. Essentially, you need two machines, or two hard drives to swap out. This is why you don't throw old PCs away if you don't have a spare - always keep one. However, a spare hard disk is the same thing, in this case.

With a laptop (a sensible one where you can change out the disks), it's very easy to slot in a new one. An engineer buys a laptop with a floppy drive, a serial port, and slide-out disks - but this type of machine is not the cheapest.

With a PC, you normally have to open it up and fit the new disk. This is assuming your image is on a USB drive. You can't usually boot from the second drive on a PC, it's just for data. However newer models may get around this.