What is the best way to backup windows xp home edition (new situat

Ok, here goes....new user here sorta...I got a pc from my ex, i'm basically
pc illiterate, i need to backup my system so microsoft says, before i install
my new service pack, how do i do that? i read the threads written for Ken's
question, but there's a problem...it recommended reading the owners manual,
and my ex threw it away and i dont have anything to go by and am totally
lost! Please help, as i dont want to lose a 6 and a half hour download
waiting to install the thing because i cant back it up....by losing it i mean
my pc overheats frequently and i am not at a point at the moment where i can
clean them....i need to get this done first so i dont lose it.
--
regalrose

Which Service Pack, SP2? You do not need to download it, for you
can get the FREE CD from Microsoft here:
Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD (Free
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...us/default.mspx

What to Know Before You Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...whattoknow.mspx

If you need your WindowsXP Product Key and don't know it, you
can find out what it is with this small app:
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.41
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
--
XP - WNP
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
If you find this response helpful,
rate it below.


"Rosey" wrote:

> Ok, here goes....new user here sorta...I got a pc from my ex, i'm basically
> pc illiterate, i need to backup my system so microsoft says, before i install
> my new service pack, how do i do that? i read the threads written for Ken's
> question, but there's a problem...it recommended reading the owners manual,
> and my ex threw it away and i dont have anything to go by and am totally
> lost! Please help, as i dont want to lose a 6 and a half hour download
> waiting to install the thing because i cant back it up....by losing it i mean
> my pc overheats frequently and i am not at a point at the moment where i can
> clean them....i need to get this done first so i dont lose it.
> --
> regalrose

Don't take care of your heat problem, it won't mater much what you do.

"Rosey" <Rosey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BC5B5ECA-635B-46EA-962C-D4041394C94A@microsoft.com...
> Ok, here goes....new user here sorta...I got a pc from my ex, i'm
> basically
> pc illiterate, i need to backup my system so microsoft says, before i
> install
> my new service pack, how do i do that? i read the threads written for
> Ken's
> question, but there's a problem...it recommended reading the owners
> manual,
> and my ex threw it away and i dont have anything to go by and am totally
> lost! Please help, as i dont want to lose a 6 and a half hour download
> waiting to install the thing because i cant back it up....by losing it i
> mean
> my pc overheats frequently and i am not at a point at the moment where i
> can
> clean them....i need to get this done first so i dont lose it.
> --
> regalrose

Acronis True Image and a USB hard drive are a favorite backup tool for me.

http://www.freecomputerconsultant.c...-success-1.html

Rosey wrote:
> Ok, here goes....new user here sorta...I got a pc from my ex, i'm basically
> pc illiterate, i need to backup my system so microsoft says, before i install
> my new service pack, how do i do that? i read the threads written for Ken's
> question, but there's a problem...it recommended reading the owners manual,
> and my ex threw it away and i dont have anything to go by and am totally
> lost! Please help, as i dont want to lose a 6 and a half hour download
> waiting to install the thing because i cant back it up....by losing it i mean
> my pc overheats frequently and i am not at a point at the moment where i can
> clean them....i need to get this done first so i dont lose it.