Backup Disk Question

[Guest]

I bought my daughter an HP Pavillion desktop, but it didn't come with
any backup disks. I am uncomfortable with all the backup software
being on a 9GB partition on the HD. I am also uncomfortable not having
the XP SP2 license information in case of having to do a re-install.
Exactly what should I back up....files..., since the recover files are
about 8GB in locked files...a lot to copy...and how do I get the XP
license information?

Thanks for any pointers

Henry

 

[Guest]

Why aren't you asking HP?
Usually you either get a CD or you are suppose to make your own Recovery set!!

The Product key/license is supposed to be attached somewhere on the case!!!
Also, check your documentation that came with your HP or ask help from store
you bought it from.

Again, why don't you ask HP??
HP Free Tech Support
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/

 

[Jim]

There are lots of utilities to backup partitions, take your pick, Norton
Ghost, Acronis True Image, etc. I assume most will permit backup to another
HD or DVD/CD media, whichever you find most convenient and economical.
There are also some free backup utilities out there, just Google for them,
with varying levels of features, advantages/disadvantages. The XP license
information should have been provided w/ the PC.

Btw, one "sneaky" way to get a free backup is to use BootIt NG (
http://www.bootitng.com ), esp. if you're just looking at a one-time need.
You download the installer, create the floppy/CD, boot it, and when the
Welcome screen appears, hit Cancel. Now follow the prompts to the partition
manager. From there you can backup your partitions to internal or external
HD, DVD/CD, whatever you like. If later you need to recover, you simply
boot the floppy/CD and use the partition manager again. Of course, you
could just clone the entire contents of your HD to another HD, then if the
current fails, swap the clone in.

One of the nice things about the BootIt NG image is that is can be "viewed"
using their free TBIView utility. That means you can essentially "mount"
the image as a filesystem, and then view or recover individual
folders/files! That's really nice in case you simply need to recover a
single file or two, or folder. That's a feature I would definitely look for
in any commerical product.

But whatever way you choose, backing up your partitions is a good idea,
something I always do, and not particularly difficult given the wealth of
choices available.

Jim

 

[HeeroYuy]

I bought my daughter an HP Pavillion desktop, but it didn't come with
any backup disks. I am uncomfortable with all the backup software
being on a 9GB partition on the HD. I am also uncomfortable not having
the XP SP2 license information in case of having to do a re-install.
Exactly what should I back up....files..., since the recover files are
about 8GB in locked files...a lot to copy...and how do I get the XP
license information?

Thanks for any pointers

Henry

You can get the license info AND recovery disks free from HP, provided the
PC is in warranty. Otherwise, it's 20 smackers. Have thoses CD's as a backup
to the recovery partition ONLY (as there are about 20 CD's and requires you
to be there throughout the entire recovery process if you use the CD's). If
the HDD goes bad, then you have the CD's.

 

[Guest]

Well, I located the license info stuck between some pages in a manual.
Must have been sloppy when I opened the packages of materials.

As to why don't I ask HP? I just never get to the right people for
answers, so I avoid them...they waste my time. However, since the
DVDs ares much higher capacity than CDs, which I had forgotten, then
it makes sense to burn my own on a couple. Wasn't aware of the "free"
disks from HP...and I guess I resent having to stumble onto that. I
build my PCs and don't buy them just to avoid having to interface with
the big box companies.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Henry

 

[Ricky]

Some HP's give you the option to create backup disks..go to
start..programs..pc help and tools and see if the option is there.

 

[Guest]

Well...I'll be dipped??? Goes to show an old hardnosed dog can learn
something new. There it is, and is lets you use dvd's to write
to....only one set per customer, though. Sneaky but logical. I do
appreciate the pointer. I probably should troll through some of this
stuff and see what all is there instead of bellyaching about it.

Henry

 

[Ricky]

I have an HP too and found it by accident.

 

[Guest]

Well...I'll be dipped??? Goes to show an old hardnosed dog can learn
something new. There it is, and is lets you use dvd's to write
to....only one set per customer, though. Sneaky but logical. I do
appreciate the pointer. I probably should troll through some of this
stuff and see what all is there instead of bellyaching about it.

Henry