Backup vs. System Restore? Please help

G

Guest

When I go to Start, Accessories, System Tools, there isn't anything in there
called Backup. There is System Restore. Is that the same as backing up your
data? I followed the directions on the screen and did a system restore. I
want to install SP2 and want to make sure I have everything backup up
properly. Thanks.
 
A

Anando [MS-MVP]

G

Guest

Thanks for the reply, but as I said earlier, there is no "Backup" in my
System Tools. That's part of my question. Do you know why I have "System
Restore" instead?
 
T

Talahasee

When I go to Start, Accessories, System Tools, there isn't anything in there
called Backup. There is System Restore. Is that the same as backing up your
data? I followed the directions on the screen and did a system restore. I
want to install SP2 and want to make sure I have everything backup up
properly. Thanks.
Click to expand...


This is a non-technical answer, but I can get you started,
and hopefully, someone else can give you BETTER info.

When you go to "System Restore", you are given the option of
RETURNING your SYSTEM to a previous state... (select a
restore point on the calendar and the computer will restore
your system to a previous state.)

OR you are given the option of Creating a System Restore
Point.

That means you can choose "right now" that your system is
running just fine, create a "Restore Point" ( the system
dates/time stamps it), and if you do something that causes
you problems tomorrow-- or later today-- you can go back to
"System Restore" and "Restore your System" to the point you
have just created.

As I UNDERSTAND it, this has NOTHING to do with backing up
DATA. This has to do with the SYSTEM (Windows) files.


So, if you are now having problems, and you think, "Hmmmm.
seems like Monday (two days ago), everything was just fine."

You go to System Restore, and you go to the calendar (System
Restore) and look for a DARK date on the calendar. The light
dates are "no restore point available". The DARK dates are,
"You can restore your computer system to how it was on this
date." (and, in my example, if Monday doesn't make you
happy, you can hopefully go back to Sunday or Saturday or
Friday's System state.)

Obviously, if you are going to plan on using System Restore,
you are going to want do DELIBERATELY CREATE system restore
points.

Simply go into System Restore, choose 'Set a System Restore
Point" (however it's worded), and then you are given the
opportunity to label your restore point. The system
automatically time/date stamps it.

If you want to back up your whole system/data and all,
that's another matter.

I use an external hard drive attached via a usb port/cable.
It's an 80 Gb, and I "drag and drop" to it constantly. I
have roughly 5 complete backups of all my data. I also have
all my software on it, so I don't have to use my CD Rom
drive for installs very much.

Other schemes would include the "Files and Settings
Transfer" option in the Start Menu. I have had little
success with that, but you can try it.

Hopefully, others will jump in with a half-dozen other
programs you can use to "clone" your hard drive, etc.

I prefer the simple approach, and I frequently burn my
backups from my external hard drive to CD.


Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
G

Gerry Cornell

Anando gave you this link! He did not say look in System Tools!

HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302894

System Restore enables you to restore the Windows operating system to
what it was when the Restore Point was created.

Microsoft BackUp enable to backup your data files. It is not for use
with operating system files.

If you are installing the Windows XP SP2 update you do not need to
use System Restore. You only need to backup your data files.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
R

Rock

Eskimo said:
When I go to Start, Accessories, System Tools, there isn't anything in there
called Backup. There is System Restore. Is that the same as backing up your
data? I followed the directions on the screen and did a system restore. I
want to install SP2 and want to make sure I have everything backup up
properly. Thanks.
Click to expand...

System Restore is not the same as Ntbackup. And you don't have one
instead of the other. A standard install of XP includes System Restore
but does not always include Ntbackup. Ntbackup is installed by default
in XP Pro. For Home it is not though on retail CDs it is included in
the \MSFT\ValueADD\Ntbackup folder as ntbackup.msi. Double click on
that file to install it.

Some OEM installations do not include Ntbackup. That is the choice of
the OEM. If it's not on the CD it can be downloaded from here:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm#backup_home

System Restore and Ntbackup perform different functions. System Restore
saves certain system files and settings. It is designed to help you
recover from a bad software install or changing a setting that creates
problems and can't be undone. It does not save user data. Here is an
excellent resource for information on System Restore.
http://bertk.mvps.org/

Ntbackup is a good backup program but it has some limitations. It will
not backup to CD unless 3rd party packet writing software is installed
and even then it will only write to a single CD. It cannot span CDs.
Ntbackup cannot backup to DVDs.

There are several other approaches to backing up your system including
data, besides Ntbackup. Since you are looking into this issue now, it
would be a good time to think about and set up an overall backup strategy.

One is to use an imaging program. This makes an exact image of the
partition which can be saved on CD/DVD or to another drive - internal or
external. Imaging to an external USB 2.0 / Firewire drive works well.
Then occasionally burning an image to DVD gives you redundancy.
Restores can be done of the entire partition or individual files /
folders. These work well and make it easy to recover from a drive crash.
Examples of this are:

Norton Ghost 10
Acronis True Image
Terabyte Unlimited's Image for Windows
CasperXP

Another option is a traditional backup program such as Stompsoft's PC
BackUP or Sonic’s Backup MyPC. They are good tools. - and the evolution
of ntbackup. There are other good backup programs out there as well.
This can do a complete backup or backup individual files and folders to
DVD/CD and other drives.
 
W

Wesley Vogel

NTBackup is not installed with XP Home, but it's on the XP CD. Unless you
have an OEM CD. In that case read on.

See this for how to install...

HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;302894

If you have an OEM version of XP installed, NTBackup may not be included.

You can download NTBackup here:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi

System Restore and Backup are different things.

[[System Restore is a component of Windows XP that you can use to restore
your computer to a previous state, if a problem occurs, without losing your
personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history,
drawings, favorites, or e-mail). System Restore monitors changes to the
system and some application files, and it automatically creates easily
identified restore points. These restore points allow you to revert the
system to a previous time. They are created daily and at the time of
significant system events (such as when an application or driver is
installed). You can also create and name your own restore points at any
time. ]]

[[The Backup utility helps you create a copy of the information on your hard
disk. In the event that the original data on your hard disk is accidentally
erased or overwritten, or becomes inaccessible because of a hard disk
malfunction, you can use the copy to restore your lost or damaged data.]]

System Restore overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...cs/en-us/app_system_restore_hss_overview.mspx

How do I backup my files and folders in XP?
http://www.winxptutor.com/ntbackup.htm

HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308422

How to Use the Backup Utility to Back Up Files and Folders in Windows XP
Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320820

How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;309340

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
T

Talahasee

Thanks for the reply, but as I said earlier, there is no "Backup" in my
System Tools. That's part of my question. Do you know why I have "System
Restore" instead?
Click to expand...

If you are using "System Restore",

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System
Restore

then the options you are being given
are

- Restore my computer to an earlier time

- Create a restore point.

If you want to do a SYSTEM Backup (that is ALL this option
does)

Create A Restore POINT.

That means, if all is well at the moment, and-- should you
crash tomorrow-- you want to return the computer to its
current state as of right now---

you use System Restore to

Set a Restore Point for Right Now.

The system automatically sets System Restore points
periodically,

but you should not wait.

--


The Backup option you MAY be looking for is in the Start
Button Menu. It should be on the left side,

And it labeled

"Files and Settings Transfer Wizard"

Depending on the settings YOU SELECT, you can back up your
entire hard drive (programs and data/EVERYTHING) assuming
you have a large enough storage device to hold it all.
Since I have roughly 120 Gb of stuff on my C and my backup
drive (G) is only an 80 Gb, I can't do a "full backup".

But if you want to back up EVERYTHING, plug in an external
drive (usb port) that is LARGER than your C drive (or
whatever you wish to back up),

And then the

""Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" would be one option
for backing up.

Frankly, I have never gotten mine to work.

I prefer to drag and drop to my external drive, and then
burn my CDs from the backup drive.


Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
G

Guest

I do have the OEM version. Apparently, some people think I have pirated
software because I cannot correctly install SP2. Thank you for not jumping
to conclusions and assuming I have pirated software!!! I found the backup
utility on my computer and am using it as we speak!! Thanks!



Wesley Vogel said:
NTBackup is not installed with XP Home, but it's on the XP CD. Unless you
have an OEM CD. In that case read on.

See this for how to install...

HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;302894

If you have an OEM version of XP installed, NTBackup may not be included.

You can download NTBackup here:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi

System Restore and Backup are different things.

[[System Restore is a component of Windows XP that you can use to restore
your computer to a previous state, if a problem occurs, without losing your
personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history,
drawings, favorites, or e-mail). System Restore monitors changes to the
system and some application files, and it automatically creates easily
identified restore points. These restore points allow you to revert the
system to a previous time. They are created daily and at the time of
significant system events (such as when an application or driver is
installed). You can also create and name your own restore points at any
time. ]]

[[The Backup utility helps you create a copy of the information on your hard
disk. In the event that the original data on your hard disk is accidentally
erased or overwritten, or becomes inaccessible because of a hard disk
malfunction, you can use the copy to restore your lost or damaged data.]]

System Restore overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...cs/en-us/app_system_restore_hss_overview.mspx

How do I backup my files and folders in XP?
http://www.winxptutor.com/ntbackup.htm

HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308422

How to Use the Backup Utility to Back Up Files and Folders in Windows XP
Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320820

How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;309340

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Eskimo said:
Thanks for the reply, but as I said earlier, there is no "Backup" in my
System Tools. That's part of my question. Do you know why I have "System
Restore" instead?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
G

Guest

I do have the OEM version. Apparently, some people think I have pirated
software because I cannot correctly install SP2. Thank you for not jumping
to conclusions and assuming I have pirated software!!! I found the backup
utility on my computer and am using it as we speak!! Thanks!
 
J

Jonny

The generic OEM version is very similar to the retail version in respect to
the windows backup software. The backup software has to be installed
separately. The weblinks provided by other replies were appropriate for
these situations. Your OEM version, the OEM chose to provide the backup
program as part of the installation evidently.
Myself , I don't trust windows backup at all.
 
W

Wesley Vogel

You have *a* OEM version.

Why would I think that you have pirated software just because you have an
OEM version of XP?

VALUEADD and SUPPORT Folders Are Not Included on OEM CD-ROMs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311246

Glad you found it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Eskimo said:
I do have the OEM version. Apparently, some people think I have pirated
software because I cannot correctly install SP2. Thank you for not
jumping to conclusions and assuming I have pirated software!!! I found
the backup utility on my computer and am using it as we speak!! Thanks!



Wesley Vogel said:
NTBackup is not installed with XP Home, but it's on the XP CD. Unless
you have an OEM CD. In that case read on.

See this for how to install...

HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;302894

If you have an OEM version of XP installed, NTBackup may not be included.

You can download NTBackup here:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi

System Restore and Backup are different things.

[[System Restore is a component of Windows XP that you can use to restore
your computer to a previous state, if a problem occurs, without losing
your personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing
history, drawings, favorites, or e-mail). System Restore monitors
changes to the system and some application files, and it automatically
creates easily identified restore points. These restore points allow you
to revert the system to a previous time. They are created daily and at
the time of significant system events (such as when an application or
driver is installed). You can also create and name your own restore
points at any time. ]]

[[The Backup utility helps you create a copy of the information on your
hard disk. In the event that the original data on your hard disk is
accidentally erased or overwritten, or becomes inaccessible because of a
hard disk malfunction, you can use the copy to restore your lost or
damaged data.]]

System Restore overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...cs/en-us/app_system_restore_hss_overview.mspx

How do I backup my files and folders in XP?
http://www.winxptutor.com/ntbackup.htm

HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308422

How to Use the Backup Utility to Back Up Files and Folders in Windows XP
Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320820

How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;309340

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Eskimo said:
Thanks for the reply, but as I said earlier, there is no "Backup" in my
System Tools. That's part of my question. Do you know why I have
"System Restore" instead?



:

Hello,

How to Use the Backup Utility to Back Up Files and Folders in Windows
XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320820

HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302894

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


When I go to Start, Accessories, System Tools, there isn't anything in
there called Backup. There is System Restore. Is that the same as
backing up your data? I followed the directions on the screen and did
a system restore. I want to install SP2 and want to make sure I have
everything backup up properly. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

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