Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User) wrote:
Reply inline:

The XP Pro CD I have is not a Restore CD....it is a genuine
Install CD. I know, because I installed from it. However,
"backing up all data" is the reason for all of these
machinations. I have a few dozen 'folders' full of files and
data which are easy as pie (or pi) to copy to a CD, but
that's just the tip of the iceberg. What would be utterly
impossible to 'back up' is all of the software that's
contained in all that is in "Program Files" and the Registry.

I still say that, reading its literature, Drive Image was
designed to do exactly what I'm trying to do. But it doesn't.
And Power Quest, now Symantec, is almost impossible to get
questions to, much less get answers from. I'm living with
an Error Message in Norton System Works because, to repair
it, just to fully uninstall it, would take reading through
all the reference documents they had me link to...and print
out....about 25 pages worth.......if I were to do it. The cure
is worse than the disease. Sounds a little like trying to get
rid of my Recovery Console.

I will experiment with the cloned hard drive, and see if the
procedures you have kindly detailed will get it 'repaired'.
I doubt that I would ever accept the risks and uncertainties
of doing it on my sacred system. The cloned drive may or may
not be amenable to responding to that procedure. We shall see.
And thank you for your inputs.

--
William B. Lurie