Best way to backup system/hard drive
 

I have a pretty fully loaded and up to date XP pro, this system has been going for a long time, much info, programs, etc., etc., what is the best way to protect/save it? Get another HDD and copy all over somehow or what?

Yes, clone the hard drive.
For a Windows computer, I highly suggest Acronis TrueImage. It will succeed where most others fail.

While you could get it from the Acronis site (as a download), it's cheaper from Amazon (on a disc).
And then the previous version is $25 used: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B003VIVY7G
I'd get that.

Newer 2012 version as download: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage

I use 2011 on our Windows XP systems. Never failed. :thumb:

It's better than Norton Ghost, better than Paragon's drive backup/cloning utilities. Avoid freeware tools for this task!

I see the 2009 version is better priced and seems to have better reviews and is made for XP and vista, is it ok for my needs or will the 2011 do something I will need better than 2009?

I think 2009 would be perfectly fine.
Not much has changed between versions of Acronis software in recent years, aside from OS support.

I see the deal on 2009 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B001DSGXFY
$15 new (free shipping on $25 order, sold by Amazon)
or $10 used (free shipping on $25 order, sold by Amazon)

If I were you, I'd buy some blank DVDs, a book, etc -- then get everything you need/want with free shipping.
I always have a couple of TV DVD box sets or Doctor Who books in my Wish List, for those times when I need another $5-10 to qualify.

And another HDD I would assume to clone, amazon has a Seagate 1 TB for a good price :) After the clone I assume you can leave it in the computer, just unplug it?

Yep. :)

Just don't stack the drive on top/under the other one. Don't create a heat trap.
Only leave it in the computer if there's plenty of free space around the drive, and the case is well-cooled.
Remember to unplug both power and data.

Will Acronis TI home 2009 work on win 7 pro? Some out there say it will and they have used it (at least to create the backup) but Acronis reps say you need 2010, is this a sales thing? I don't want to mess up the laptop...I have searched the free Win 7 backup software and EaseUS rated good on cnet.

There are also online storage available.Will that be better than storing in a hard drive.

I can only find Acronis 2010 on my system. So I really cannot say.

That's why it took so long to get back to you -- I looked and looked, but I don't have that one anymore. That means 2010 was that much better than 2009, that I probably deleted it!

Does win 7 professional backup work or is windows still not a good choice for backup?

The Windows 7 backup utility can work to make a system image, but the best choice for a backup is Acronis TrueImage Home. I recommend the current 2013 version. I actually used this last night to backup a failing hard drive and restored the image to a new hard drive without any issues.

Clonezilla is also excellent and free. I have used it for countless hard drives clones and drive images, but it is not user friendly and will require careful reading and some research on the Clonezilla forums if you want to try it. If in doubt, cough up the cash for Acronis.