A backup-and-restore program which can be pre-configured / accepts command-line arguments ?

Hello All,

Question #1:

I've been looking for a while for a backup-and-restore program, but I have a
specific requirement: I would like to be able to start a backup, but even
more importantly, a restore as simple as can be (preferrably, after a
one-time configuration, just a "sure to continue Y/N ?" kind of question).

For that I would like to be able to either script both processes, or have
the program accept a set of commandline arguments.

Is there such a program available ? (could not find any using Google - most
are "live" programs needing you to fiddle settings every time)

Question #2:

Recently I became aware of a (MS) backup program called NtBackup. The
problem is that I can't find how it would be able to restore to a system
with a non-working/crashed OS, or even to a new disk (no OS at all). How
is it suppose to work ?

As I want to have a *simple* (and. if possible, fast) restore process, first
re-installing the OS and than restore the backup over it is not a viable
option.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser