I may need to replace my C drive. Tips?

[Correction]

My XP computer's C: drive may be on the way out. I'm starting to see intermittent file corruptions and after several spyware/virus scans I'm not finding any obvious culprits. The only theory I've got left is that the hardware is starting to fail in dangerous ways.

I keep no actual data on my C drive, but it does house the installation of several bits of software that I no longer possess installation discs for. Plus I don't want to go through the onus of reinstalling Windows. I am however inexperienced when it comes to migrating disk images. I presume that what I want is software that creates a viable image of my C: drive, stashes it somewhere (like another HDD), then can flash it to a new drive to take the place of my C: drive. But I need two answers before I can do this:

a) what's the best software to do this? With my current setup I can probably install a fourth drive to do the flashing, scrap my C drive and boot from the new, fourth drive. So I don't really want to pay for more features in imaging software than I need. backup over networks is a non-concern.

b) is there a trustworthy, up-to-date guide somewhere to do this or do I just riffle through TFM of whatever software I wind up with? Remember this is an XP installation so 'up-to-date' just means that I'm not upgrading my XP box to Vista but I do want advice that doesn't assume I'm still on SP1.

[Shuemue]

If files are randomly corrupt, highly likely that the registry is corrupt too, thus it's probably wiser to source install cd's and do a fresh install of windows.

[Kohan]

As Shue mentioned, there's a chance the registry is corrupt as well, but that doesn't mean you can't selectively extract certain branches of it. If you know how to make registry keys, export one for each of the applications you'll need it for. If they're borked, they might not function correctly, but it won't hurt the rest of your Windows install if they are.

Note that they or their plug-ins may have more than one entry, if applicable -- you might want to search the database to ensure you've acquired everything relevant. Of course, there will be rubbish entries aplenty in there (e.g., recent documents keys) -- you naturally only want the ones that are related to a program's functions. Most of the time, this will only require one key, so don't fret about it.

The only other thing stopping you is whether these applications have installed additional files in other directories or not. You may not catch those before installing a new Windows on your next HDD. If you want to make sure there aren't any, here's a program which can help: Process Explorer

[Correction]

anybody feel like answering my first question? :/

[Cephius]

Pretty sure Acronis Drive Image and Norton Ghost can clone your hard drive just fine.

[Kohan]

If you're cloning a drive that's going to be your primary Windows drive, and you've been having problems with corrupt files and such, I strongly suggest you don't do that and reinstall Windows instead. But if you're absolutely determined, the programs Cephius mentioned will work.

Also: Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

[Shuemue]

I answered your first question by telling you not to bother.