backing up

[Bob Griendling]

As a new XP Home edition user, I just discovered that Home doesn't include a
back-up utility. Any recommendations for backing up program for XP Home
edition?

Bob

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

As a new XP Home edition user, I just discovered that Home doesn't include a
back-up utility. Any recommendations for backing up program for XP Home
edition?

The Home Edition includes NTBACKUP as well. However, if this is an OEM
version of Windows, the hardware manufacturer may have removed the
tool from the Windows installation. You have to buy third-party
software in this case.

 

[William J. Lunsford]

The backup utility is on the XP Home CD in the ValueAdd folder, if I
remember correctly.

 

[Bob Griendling]

Thanks for your comments.

Here's from a MS article that confuses me:

"Once installed you'll be able to use the backup utility by clicking on
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup. You'll be
launched straight into the Backup or Restore Wizard which will act as a
handy step by step guide if you're using the Backup Utility for the first
time. Alternatively, you can click on Advanced Mode and jump straight to the
program itself where you configure your backup manually. If you go for the
Wizard option the Windows XP Backup Utility will ask you to select which
items you would like to backup. You'll be able to choose from the following:

....All information on this computer - This option will create an Automated
System Recovery disk that will help to restore your operating system in the
event of a complete system crash. However, this option will only work fully
for those who use Windows XP Professional Edition, even though you will be
able to go through the motions of creating this within the Home Edition."

Reading this again, it seems it may be saying that I can't create a back up
that will restore my operating system, but that I can back up and restore,
docs, settings,etc. I can always restore the operating system to an early
point or reinstall XP. Am I right?

At first I thought it was saying I couldn't use back up at all. Yes, I was
directed to the Value add folder and found it...and just now installed it.

Bob

 

[Bob Griendling]

Well, of course it's never as easy as it should be.

I was OK thru What do you want to do? and What do you want to back up? But
when I chose drive D where my CD-RW disc was and whatever I named the file,
the message is always the same: The back up file name could not be used.
D;\backup.bkf. Please ensure it is a valid path and that you have
sufficient access.

What is that supposed to mean? The CD drive has a few music files on it and
a Word doc. When I try to erase them , I get a message that I can't because
they are read only files but that I can record on the disc and it will
overwrite those files.

Bob


I started the back up wizard, and after a few fits and starts I got to

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

I was OK thru What do you want to do? and What do you want to back up? But
when I chose drive D where my CD-RW disc was and whatever I named the file,
the message is always the same: The back up file name could not be used.
D;\backup.bkf. Please ensure it is a valid path and that you have
sufficient access.

See "Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315255).