Can't copy "Documents and Settings" Folder for backup

[Guest]

When I first checked out XP and noticed that Microsoft had grouped all
documents and settings in one folder, I assumed that this had been done as a
way to make it easy to back up the most important settings and data by
simply copying the "Documents and Settings" folder to a backup location,
like a CD-RW disk.

However, whenever I attempt to copy this folder, I get an error message that
says that certain dat and log files can't be copied because they are in use
and the copy process is halted before anything is copied. So, my questions
are:

1. Is there any way to copy this folder for backup?

and

2. Are there any backup utilities in XP Home or any simple way to backup
all the usual stuff like favorites, addressbook, e-mail messages, the
my-documents folder, etc.?

Thanks

 

[M. Rajesh]

Hi,

try to copy the individual files from each folder like
documents, pictures, music etc into seperate folders.
this way you dont copy the system files that are in use.

for favourites. use export option from IE to export the
favourites and then back up the file.

For address book, back up the pab file.

for the mail box back up the pst file.

Regards
M. Rajesh
www.winxpsolution.com

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

When I first checked out XP and noticed that Microsoft had grouped all
documents and settings in one folder, I assumed that this had been done as a
way to make it easy to back up the most important settings and data by
simply copying the "Documents and Settings" folder to a backup location,
like a CD-RW disk.

However, whenever I attempt to copy this folder, I get an error message that
says that certain dat and log files can't be copied because they are in use
and the copy process is halted before anything is copied. So, my questions
are:

1. Is there any way to copy this folder for backup?

Yes. Either use NTBackup, or else copy bits of it while logged on as
someone else - only the profile for the current logged on user (and
sadly 'all users') has locked items. Or, from outside XP (i.e. from
another OS, even another copy of XP) you can copy the whole thing. Much
simplest just to use NTBackup though.

Or you can use something like Ghost, and clone the whole drive.

and

2. Are there any backup utilities in XP Home or any simple way to backup
all the usual stuff like favorites, addressbook, e-mail messages, the
my-documents folder, etc.?

NTBackup is on the XP Home CD, but not installed by default. Look for it
on CD and install it (won't be there with some brands of OEM CDs or
recovery disks).

btw, everything you described is stored in c:\documents and
settings\<userx> folder, by default .. just log on as <usery> and you
can probably copy all of <userx>'s stuff wherever you want (subject to
it not having been set private).