well, it's not required, but it makes it much simpler.
on my systems, I either make a DVD image of the system and update it as I install new software/data etc, or I just have a bootable cd and an external drive to set the image on. the new ghost even maintains the image in real time while widows is running. it should be a part of norton systemworks premium... but if not, ghost 9.0 and above have that feature, the freely available 2003 edition is fine for me though. it makes a nice boot image and makes it pretty simple to image a drive.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!