Question : Problem: procedures for using disk image process

When I do a disk image to an external drive does the imaging process remove partititions and erase everything on the target drive?  Is this standard procedure with programs like acronis true image and norton ghost.  The reason that I ask is that my external drive is 160 GB and the image of my C drive will only require 45 GB.  It seems like such a huge waste of space on the target drive that will store the image.  If this is the case can you suggest another approach to this process.  Any feedback will be appreciated.
capreol

Answer : Problem: procedures for using disk image process

NO !!   The image is simply a file that's stored on the external drive (actually it's a set of files).   You could, for example, create a directory called "My Images" and store your images there.

For a variety of reasons, I don't recommend having such a large C: drive -- it's much better to separate your system drive from your data; then you'll have much more compact images, and your data backups can be simply synchronizations with any of several free backup utilities.

You might want to read what I wrote here:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Desktops/Q_21582113.html