FWIW, Win 7 includes system backup (disk clone) software, at least Win 7 Home Premium does, so there's no need for a 3rd party program to do this.
I use the Win 7 backup tools on multiple machines, both Home Premium & Professional.
I also use a 6TB NAS with it's own backup software. I would stll recomend the Acronis disk cloning solution. Much cleaner, faster, and more reliable In case of cetain failures - mostly the OS and ap drives. Also free if any of the drives involved are WD or Seagate.
Edit: I guess I should clarify. I was not able to create a **bootable** clone disk, with Win 7 and Photoshop being recognized as licensed, and ready to go. I got Win 7 encoded image files, but not executable. I don't remember all of the details, maybe 6 montsh ago - eSata, USB, network drive, etc. I just bailed and used my good old Acronis. So maybe I screwed up. YMMV.
From Microsoft:
If you can't access Control Panel, you can restore your computer using a Windows installation disc or a system repair disc (if you have one).
1.Insert the installation disc or system repair disc.....
6.On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.Then you have to install the image to your existing drive:
Warning
When you restore your computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration. You can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your programs, system settings, and files are replaced with those on the system image.My approach is: keep that "crashed" drive intact, as-is, to recover any data or whatever you want to try to get back. Plug in a **new**, cloned, system drive, boot the computer, start working now in Lightroom or PS to get a job finished ASAP, or just to start recovery off the old drive.
You can always try to install a newer image over the clone, if you have one.......
Michael