Use Bootable to Install Image?

[Dnomeld]

I am wondering if i need to create a bootable back up to install an image. I just bought my first computer (second hand) and I want to completely overhaul it. My basic idea is that I should create a boot able backup and disk image (both, of just my OS) on my USB drive with CCleaner, reformat/wipe the drive many multiple times and then, place the image on my HDD. Are these the appropriate steps or is there something that I am missing? Thank you.

[Sope]

Ideally the best option for a fresh start would be to simply perform a completely new installation of the OS from an installation disc. You will of course also need the necessary drivers for your PC's hardware.

There would be no need to wipe the HDD first, just allow the installer to overwrite any existing partitions. Job done!

If you don't have a Windows XP installation disc you could maybe borrow one.
Alternatively it's possible that your PC has a recovery partition built in whereby you could return the machine to the original factory settings / install.

Before performing an OS re-installation make sure you have a record of the Windows activation serial number / registration key.

The time to make a backup image of your HDD is after you have applied all the necessary Windows updates immediately following the fresh installation.

[Dnomeld]

Thank you Sope. I have posted other threads on this subject, though different aspects. Anupam has let me know that I should have made one thread for this whole subject and should, from now on, utilize only one of the threads for this whole matter. You have brought up a good point for me to edit my reply to Anupam. I have no installation disk, just the computer and what is on it. I'll edit the appropriate post with this. Again, thank you.

[Anupam]

Well Dnomeld, since you have already created the threads, so you can carry out the discussion in the relevant threads... just make sure you do not create any more separate threads for your query regarding the second hand computer.

However, if you have a query regarding another topic, then you can create threads.

You can give your replies to Sope here for drive imaging.

[Dnomeld]

Sorry Anupam and Sope.

Sope, I would like your advice. Since I do not have a backup and do not have a friends installation disk to borrow; will i have to create a bootable copy and a disk image so I can clean my drive? Thank you.

[Sope]

Originally Posted by Dnomeld

Sope, I would like your advice. Since I do not have a backup and do not have a friends installation disk to borrow; will i have to create a bootable copy and a disk image so I can clean my drive? Thank you.

Firstly you need to think about what you want to achieve by "cleaning" your drive....
From your previous posts it appears that you intend to overwrite the HDD several times before reinstalling your OS from a backup image. IMO this is not necessary and of little use. It won't improve the operation or security of your PC at all. When you image your OS everything is copied including any damaged files, corrupted registry entries, or indeed any malware files which may be present. Effectively all you will have done is wipe the free space, which can be done from within Windows using the secure wipe feature available in CCleaner.

If you want to have a pristine Windows XP OS the only true way to go about it is a fresh install, but as I said before, you would need a Windows XP installation CD, a record of your Microsoft registration key, and the necessary drivers for your hardware e.g. soundcard etc.

Without a fresh installation I would suggest you plan something along these lines :-

1) Scan for and remove any malware using a number of different on-demand scanners.
2) Uninstall any unnecessary or unwanted programs
3) Create a fresh new user account for yourself and delete any old ones that may still be present from previous users.
4) Run CCleaner to remove junk files and excess restore points.
5) Use MyDefrag or Puran Defrag - to defragment the hard drive.
6) Use Pagedefrag - to defragment the pagefile.
7) Use NTREGOPT - to optimize the registry.

It may be advisable to create an image of your current working setup before you make any major changes to it in case of any slip-ups making things worse rather than better!

I've probably missed some other steps that may be useful to take but I'm sure others will reply to offer their own additions opinions.

Everything you need can be found on Gizmo's Freeware.

[Dnomeld]

Ok. First, run some AV/ AM progs. (I figured that it's after this that it got fuzzy), make a couple of bootable and image copies, proceed with the steps that you outlined then, make another set of copies. I'll get to the reg. later. Is that about right? For now, I want to keep my System Restore. Does my bootable and/ or image have it? If not, can I access it through my bootable?

[Sope]

Originally Posted by Dnomeld

Ok. First, run some AV/ AM progs. (I figured that it's after this that it got fuzzy), make a couple of bootable and image copies, proceed with the steps that you outlined then, make another set of copies. I'll get to the reg. later. Is that about right? For now, I want to keep my System Restore. Does my bootable and/ or image have it? If not, can I access it through my bootable?

If you intend to make a bootable image of your whole drive for backup purposes then do that before you begin your clean-up. You will need to save that image to an external HDD, USB stick or multiple DVD's, which ever fits best.
This will be your insurance in case something goes wrong during your clean-up routine.

Prior to making that first image IMO it's safe enough to run CCleaner with default settings though not the registry cleaning tool. You could also remove any excess restore points again using CCleaner's specific tool (I would say keeping just the last two or three restore points should be enough). This would help make the initial image a little smaller.

If the drive is heavily fragmented it may speed up the imaging process if you run a defrag beforehand.

Next I would run some on-demand malware scanners such as Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and HitmanPro.

Now uninstall any programs you don't want.
Make sure Windows is up to date.
Create a new user account for yourself.
Delete any old user accounts if there are any still present.

Next, if you feel the need you could also run pagedefrag and NTREGOPT.
Another HDD defrag may also be useful now.
(You may or may not want to create another image at this point.)

Finally you are now about ready to install your chosen security software, browser, applications, etc.
(You may or may not want to create yet another image at this point.)

All the software I mentioned here can be found on Gizmo's Freware main site.
Learn what they do and how they work before using them.

As I said previously, all these step are not necessarily compulsory, and there are certainly other things you can do as well. I'm just giving you this to hopefully help you in the right direction.

Good luck.

[Dnomeld]

Thanks Sope.

[Sope]

You're welcome.