TI 2009 question about new drive and saving programs

I apologize if this is posted in the wrong thread.

I have Acronis T.I. 2009 and have never used it at all. It is still in the wrapper.

Here is what I am trying to do.
-Make a clean install of XP OS, and Sony recovery disc on new drive, without cloning, and still be able to return programs without having to install each program-appliaction with an install disc.

a) I am concerned that if I just clone the entire drive, and reinstall it on a new drive, then all the corrupted bits and pieces that accumulate over the years will come along with the it.

b) I want to save programs-applications (Word Suite, Epson Printer Program, and things like that) and their files, and then reinstall them back onto a new drive, without having to go through the process of reinstalling each program (about 15 of them) by each disc. I already have documents and photos sitting on the external.

Q 1) Is there a way of doing that? I mean if I backup those programs to an external, does it mean I will not have to reinstall the original program on the new drive.

Q 2) Or is there a way to instead of cloning the entire drive that I can clone specific programs and their files using acronis?

Here are my resources and current actions.
-XP Pro disc
-Recovery DVD that I just made from the laptop.
-External USB hard drive
-Acronis TI 2009
-All of the original program-application discs.
-The original drive had been defrag'd and check disc preformed, virus checked, and I have deleted all unnecessary junk that I can idenitfy.

Q3) Am I being too cautious about the potential of carrying back over to the new drive, corrupted or bad data bits and sectors from the old drive?

Q4)Should I just Clone the darn thing? Again I hate to do that if there is a reasonable workaround and then I can be assured of having a clean and fresh drive by doing a clean install.

Your thoughts, comments, suggestions or even direction to a link that addresses this is greatly appreciated.

I am just trying to get as much information now as possible before hand, instead of blindly doing this and scattering for a solution(s)

Best Regards