Backup function in XP Home Edition?

[catahoula lou]

Group:

I want to backup my computer on an external hard drive, but don't have the
backup right now, apparently because the default XP Home Edition does not
include backup. Supposedly, I can load it onto my computer from the CD, but
I get a warning, essentially saying I'll lose many files, etc. because I have
a newer version (SP2?) already loaded.

Can I cherry-pick the backup function from the CD and if so, how, without
losing current capabilities?

 

[Leonard Grey]

"How to Install the Backup Utility from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home
Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302894

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Group:

I want to backup my computer on an external hard drive, but don't have
the
backup right now, apparently because the default XP Home Edition does not
include backup.

That's not entirely correct.

OEM's are not required to include the XP Backup utilityu (ntbackup) on their
install CDs.

If you purchase a "generic" OEM version or a retail or upgrade version of XP
Home, ntbackup is on it.

Supposedly, I can load it onto my computer from the CD,

Only if it's actually *ON* the CD, but again, not all OEM CDs have it.

There are places you can download it and install it from.

but
I get a warning, essentially saying I'll lose many files, etc. because I
have
a newer version (SP2?) already loaded.

You're apparently not following the appropriate steps to install it.

What steps, exactly, are you taking?

Can I cherry-pick the backup function from the CD and if so, how, without
losing current capabilities?

Again, *only* if ntbackup is actually on the CD, and this is not guaranteed.

There are, by the way, much better choices than the XP Backup utility, and
in particular, ones that do not share the key limitation (and frankly, the
defect) of ntbackup on XP Home.

That limitation is that ASR will not work (though it's in the UI and there's
nothing to prevent you from starting into a process that *will fail*),
which means that you can not perform an "image" of the system. Because of
this limitation, you will still have to start a full recovery from a full
manual install.

Better choices include Acronis TrueImage, which will cost you around $50.

HTH
-pk