Ghost copy of hard drive?

How do I make a ghost copy of my hard drive and is this all I would need to do as far as backing up before a clean install?

 

if you want to back up your data, then you don't want ghost necessarily. You'd probably be better up with a back up software to a CD or DVD disc. Ghosting is typically for complete backups for reloading an already prepared system. For instance. I install my OS and get it to where I want it. Ghost it, and put on disk. Lets say several weeks down the road, I totall fubar my install. All I do is ghost the drive image back onto the drive and I'm at my starting point without having to reinstall anything.

So, please clarify what you wish to do..

 

I too use Acronis. I found it much more to my liking than Ghost.

 

I need to do a clean install to get rid of all the junk( duplicate files,dll and temp files) which I do not know how to do manually. I am looking for a cheap,easy way to backup which I don't know how to do and since I am on a dialup net.I don't want to download all of my apps. or updates again,it's going to be a pain to download SP2. Thanks.

 

then I would recommend backing up all your important files and program installation files to a CD or a DVD. You can also order SP2 on CD from MS for free.. but every time I post the link MS yanks it.. so I give up on that lol.