Are you tired of losing all your data because your computer crashed and now you have to reinstall Windows? Installing Windows can be a lengthily and frustrating task. Even after you finish it, you then have to reinstall all your software. There are all sorts of expensive backup programs out there that can backup files, or even entire drives. Some of them can even back up your Windows configuration. I tried several of the famous ones and always seemed to have problems with them, then I discovered a freeware backup program named DriveImage XML Version 2.01, which seems to work perfectly. Before I get into the review of this program, I must tell you that you will have to do a little work to create your emergency disk for complete recovery without having to install windows. You have to download another freeware program called PE Builder. This program copies some files from your original Windows Disk. Yes you must have a Windows Disk. When that disk is being created it gives you the option of putting the backup program on it and this gives you a sized down copy of windows that will actually allow you boot off of it and even get on the net if you want. When you put this disk in your cd player it will recover everything. By the way let me warn you, Microsoft says you are not allowed to use their Windows disk this way.

Main Screen

You will notice that the left side of the main screen contains 5 Buttons:

Welcome – Brings you to the main screen
Backup – Lets you select the drive to backup (Only drives can be backed up not individual files)
Restore – Lets you select the drive to restore
Drive to Drive – Lets you select the drive to copy to another drive
Browse – Allows you to load an image file that you can extract directories and files from.

*This program saves your backup in an image format of the type used by Windows for more compatibility.

At the top of the screen, in the middle, you will see links that are identical to the above buttons except for Welcome and Task Scheduler.
Task Scheduler allows you to schedule automatic backups.

Backup Screen

On the top of the backup screen you can click on the drive you want to back up. Nothing could be easier. After this is done, press the Next button on the bottom of the screen. That takes you to the Backup wizard page and you are on your way.

Restore Screen

The Restore Screen is also very easy to use. Click on the image on top of the page to restore that drive. A box under the choices will have data that shows what the file restores. Pressing the Next button on the bottom of the screen takes you to the restore wizard.

Copy Drive To Drive Screen

The Drive to Drive screen is set up in the same way as the Backup and Restore screens. Click on the drive to copy at the top and you will see all the drive's information under the choices. Press the Next button on the bottom of the screen and you will get some choices of how to copy that drive. It can be locked to avoid any problems or it can be shadowed first. You can even copy the data in raw mode. Pressing the next button brings you to the page where you select the drive to copy to. Again it is just a click away. After your selection press next.

The Browse button brings up a loader. You load an image file and then select what you want to do. There are several buttons on the top of the screen and the file info appears as a drive in an Explorer type setting. To the left is the data on the drive that was copied. The buttons available are Load, Extract, Launch, View, Find and Next. I think it is obvious what they do.

There are also three drop down menus at the top of the screen. They are:

File

Tools

Help

File:

This contains the same Browse, Backup, Restore and Drive to Drive, but also includes Exit.

Tools:

On this menu we find Options, Task Scheduler, Set New Disk ID and Fix Vista Boot Problem. Options merely allows you to enable logging, but it can be handy to have a log file to examine after you are finished backing a drive up. I already talked about the Task Scheduler. Set New Disk ID is sometimes necessary because if you copy a drive to another drive both drives might get the same drive letter. This allows you to change it. The Vista boot problem comes from the fact that after you clone a drive and are using Vista, the info that tells the computer where to boot from might have to be updated.

Help:

Content, Check For Updates and About appears on the help menu. Content is your general help menu. Check for updates is self explanatory and About tells you the version of DriveImage XML, gives you a link to the home page, gives info on the Windows you are using and the copyright text.

This program is very easy to use and not bloated with unnecessary accessories. If all you want to do is get a fast backup program that is simple to use, this free program certainly fits the bill. I was able to back up my C drive in about 30 minutes. It is best to put your backups on another drive in your system where they can be easily restored from. The price is right and the program works and is easy to use, what more could you want?