Modern System Back Up Questions (PC)

[Duce]

Yes, works just fine for disk imaging.

Personally I use CloneZilla, but I've used Acronis and Nero Backup just fine for disk imaging as well, with good results.  CloneZilla isn't the prettiest girl at the dance when it comes to interface, but it's powerful.

Most of the time these days I just use Shadow Copy to my FreeNAS box, though.

[Duce]

Any of the decent image based backup software offers a bootable CD/USB key recovery option.

In fact, ones like CloneZilla, it's really the only option.  Boot off the CD/USB stick into clonezilla, point it at the disk image you want to work with and go from there.  It doesn't install locally at all*.

* - There is a DRBL version of CloneZilla server available for large cloning operations, but not used much on the consumer end at all.