Hello, i'd like to know something about backup. If my understanding is good, when you do a full backup on a usb drive, and format your computer, you have to reinstall the same O/S version, and then restore the backup. So can you comfirm that every single object in your computer will be restored in the same state as before? they won't be any problems with payware applications and serial numbers? you will really have the computer in the same state as before with all the settings, etc... ? Thanks

First some questions...how do you plan to backup to USB HD? Is any 3rd party application (such as Norton Ghost) in your equation? i_XpUser

If you are using Ghost or Acronis and you make the image file to an external drive, then you use a rescue cd to restore it back, it will be axactly as it was wqhen you made the image file, and there would be no activation or installing to concern yourself with.

Hi, xp user, that's true, you can't directly backup to a usb drive without a third party utility. I thought you could, but i just checked. So yeah i guess you would have to use Ghost or Acronis as Ritch Menzel said. One last questions, i just want to be sure of how precise the backup operation is: will the ip adresses will be saved too?

Yes the ip addresses (and everything else for that matter) will be saved in Norton Ghost image as long as you run the program on a daily basis. i_XpUser

XP User I think your "as long as you run the program on a daily basis" is really confusing. I think it is easier to say that the image file made on such and such date is "all inclusive" of the hard drive or partition at that moment.

thanks to both of you, things are clear now, thanks!!