SteveR said:
I've just bought a new desktop with XP already installed. I didn't get the
original Windows XP discs, so I need to make a backup of the operating
system. What files do I copy and where are they located? Also, this is XP
sp2(??) Is this the latest version of XP?
Yeah, been there, done that. Toshiba did give me a restore set of 3
CD's that will restore my laptop to as supplied condition - XP (SP1
only), reinstall all the useless OEM stuff Toshiba provided, and force
me to reinstall all my software, all subsequent Windows updates and all
my data. Not funny at all. Next time, I will only buy a laptop with a
certified bootable O/S on CD or DVD or something that will let me do a
windows repair without losing all my stuff!
But to answer your questions:
SP2 is the latest version but there are quite a few further updates you
need to install from the MS online update site.
You could try to make a slipstream CD of winXP from the windows i386
install folder that will be on your computer somewhere, downloading and
incorporating all the latest updates, but I don't think it will work.
I've tried three or four different ways and burned umpteen CD's but
can't reinstall or repair XP from any of them: I now believe that to do
an effective slipstreamed OS CD incorporating all current updates, you
have to start with the original OS CD.
You can (before you add too much other junk) get XP completely up to
date, install your major-use programs then burn a disk image using Ghost
or Acronis true Image or similar image backup program, which you can
then restore quickly if windows stuffs up. That's a pretty good option,
but you still need to reinstall all subsequent programs and OS updates.
I assume you backup all data frequently, and can restore that too.
You can keep making later images, but gradually XP will get loaded with
junk and start performing slowly, and restoring from later images will
not fix such problems.
Or you can say the equivalent of "Stuff you, Toshiba" and buy yourself
another copy of XP, and install that when and if you ever need to.
Again, not very satisfactory, but probably the least hassle option.
Whatever, if you do have to reinstall windows clean, there are a lot of
settings and keys and passwords that you need to have recorded somewhere
so you can restore them and get all your programs working - data backups
won't pick up many of these items.
Anyway, best of luck. I'm now, after 3 years of using my Toshiba P20,
debating whether to buy another copy of Win XP and do a clean install,
or just give up on it and get a new computer WITH an OS CD.
