I use drive image and when I reload the system I start making backups of the clean system, and as I install software I make various backups along the way when I know things are working right. Of course
when I bought a new pc I started right out backing up to an image, before I could get infected with anything.
But you're right once you're infected you can only backup your files not the OS, which is why if you have to reload everything thats a good time to make a backup plan for the future.
Symantec bought Powerquest and according to the website "Product has been discontinued" and since symantec also owns Norton, Ghost is now the software they sell. I have powerquest 7.0 which was the last one they sold.

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 01-18-2005).]