DriveImage XML
DriveImage XML backup program will work also with Vista and you can use it also to restore your full backup without the need to reboot (although it's best to reboot to refresh your PC!). The free version is not limited to backup and restore features only but it allows you to schedule a backup and browse your backup.
Vista Complete PC Backup Utility
Some editions (see note below) of Vista include Complete PC backup utility. The Complete PC Backup in Vista allows you to backup your files or the whole system drive to a network drive, a removable drive or another partition not in use by the system. The image below is the screenshot of Windows Complete Backup in Vista Ultimate edition:
Note: Included in Business, Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista
Reminder: Always remember to insert the last backup disk instead of the first backup disk when restoring to your backup from removable disc. It’s not First In, First Out (FIFO) but Last Out, First In (LOFI).
DiscWizard
If you have a Seagate or Maxtor hard-drive, you can take advantage of the OEM edition of Acronis True Image backup utility. You can download DiscWizard at Seagate website.
For users who prefer to pay for Backup utility with free support and additional features in backing up your computer (additional feature includes exploring the backup, drive cleanser, backup scheduler and Try&Decide, please see related article on Try&Decide here), I highly recommend using Acronis True Image. You can read the review on Acronis True Image Home.
Whatever method you will use it is always great to have a complete backup. This allows you to recover from previous working system state in 10 to 50 minutes! Note: Time to restore of backup depending on file types you will be restoring or backing-up.
Where is the best place to store your backups? Keeping them on the same partition - or even the same drive - as the one you've backed up is rather pointless as, should that drive fail, both your data and your backups will be lost. An external hard drive is a better option, but not perfect as a fire or other disaster could damage both your computer and the external drive. Check out our article ioSafe: A Secure, Disaster-Proof External Hard Drive for a possible solution!