Backing up Windows XP

[Skii99]

Is there a way to back up all data on my C drive to a portable drive so
that I can reformat that drive, boot up with a floppy/CD/DVD and
restore the backed up file image without having to reinstal WIndows XP
and every program?

I've heard of programs like Ghost but understand that they don't work
well because of some files being in use. I also heard that they back up
the entire drive, even the empty bits. I only want to back up the data
(i.e. programs and data), which take uo about 10Gb of my C drive.

Also, I want to be able to transfer the image onto DVDs, so that after
a reformat, I just need to put DVD 1 in and follow screen instructions
regarding further DVDs, i.e. like laptop setup discs.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

I use drive image whic has now become part of Norton Ghost. I believe that
Norton Ghost is simply drive image with a new brand name. If this is the
case, i haven't personally use it, then it only images the data files not
free space. Therefore if you have a 30GB partition but XP and your data only
takes up 5GB then 5GB is all that it will image.
Other imaging software i have used include Acronis and Paragon. Both image
the data not the free space. I also prefer to use maximum compression.
However, 10GB of data will only 'squash' down to around 5.5 or 6 so you
won't get this onto a single DVD. If DVD's are spanned then, when you
re-image you will insert disc 1 and then, when disc 2 is required you will
be aksed for it.

Just remember that imaging 'images' everything. therefore if you have
problems with your pc at the moment then you will have problems if you
reformat and re-image the drive back.

My system is to do a complete re-install of XP and then install all the
programs i need. After that i go to windows update and update XP. I also
check for updates to all the software on my pc. Once everything is fully
updated i then virus check and then defragment the drive. After this i image
the drive to a DVD. If, at a future date, anyhting goes wrong, i can
re-image this 'good' copy back to the hard drive. All i then need do is go
to windows updates again and update the system with all the latest patches.
I then re-image again before starting to use the latest install.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
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of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this mail..

 

[Skii99]

I use drive image whic has now become part of Norton Ghost. I believe that
Norton Ghost is simply drive image with a new brand name. If this is the
case, i haven't personally use it, then it only images the data files not
free space. Therefore if you have a 30GB partition but XP and your data only
takes up 5GB then 5GB is all that it will image.
Other imaging software i have used include Acronis and Paragon. Both image
the data not the free space. I also prefer to use maximum compression.
However, 10GB of data will only 'squash' down to around 5.5 or 6 so you
won't get this onto a single DVD. If DVD's are spanned then, when you
re-image you will insert disc 1 and then, when disc 2 is required you will
be aksed for it.

Just remember that imaging 'images' everything. therefore if you have
problems with your pc at the moment then you will have problems if you
reformat and re-image the drive back.

My system is to do a complete re-install of XP and then install all the
programs i need. After that i go to windows update and update XP. I also
check for updates to all the software on my pc. Once everything is fully
updated i then virus check and then defragment the drive. After this i image
the drive to a DVD. If, at a future date, anyhting goes wrong, i can
re-image this 'good' copy back to the hard drive. All i then need do is go
to windows updates again and update the system with all the latest patches.
I then re-image again before starting to use the latest install.

Thanks, this may be what I am looking for and I will try the 15-day
trial.