Recovering a PC to factory standards can be a life saver, but pretty lame when it doesn't backup your programs, internet connection and email setup.
I prefer to get a new PC all cleaned up (uninstall the Demo's, Trials and Spyware, like Wild Tangent Games) get my favorite programs installed, set up my internet connection and email and THEN do a full C: drive backup.
I use Ghost, but there are many other programs that will do a whole drive backup and can be had for FREE.
Just a thought,
Old Timer