Mike said:
If I use the Windows XP backup utility in accessories, and
I choose to backup "everything," will I be able to format
my hard drive and then restore my computer to its exact
state from the backup file? Do I need to also save the
system state? Should I just use another program that makes
an image of the drive?
Thanks,
Mike
If you can image the drive, that's the easiest way. But it must
be a true "image", not just what you -think- an image is. e.g.
cmust be reated by a dedicated software which is not part of XP.
If you back up "everything", Yes, you'll be able to reformat and
restore, but ... you'll have to -start- the process by using your
XP CD to format then install the XP first; because once you
format, ntbackup is gone, so you need to get it, and some other
things back first.
Then run Restore and it'll put everything back as it was. As
long as you do NOT change anything like put in a smaller hard
drive, reletter the drives, etc.. That's also true of ghosting
software of course.
Yes, of course you need the System State! Check to be certain,
but the "everything" selection will include that. I usually
backup the system state whenever I back up my data; it's saved my
butt a couple of times over the years.
