how to use Windows Back-up which requires a floppy at the end??

[Guest]

Hello:

I am a longtime user (with Windows XP SP2) but I've never been able to
get Windows Back-up to work -- because it requires a "floppy" at the end, I
guess to create a boot-disk. I don't have a floppy drive, but I thought
Windows would accept a CD, so I left a blank CD in the drive - but
nonetheless, I got an error message saying that the "floppy" wasn't available
so the process couldn't be completed.
Would someone please explain this to me, and how I can get around it?
I've just unloaded all my troublesome Norton programs (including
Save+Restore) and want to give Windows a try. Also, are there any reasons
why I should NOT use the Windows back-up utility? Does it work reasonably
well? I notice that it doesn't compact my disk as much as Norton did. Any
other major differences?
Thanks.

 

[philo]

Hello:

I am a longtime user (with Windows XP SP2) but I've never been able to
get Windows Back-up to work -- because it requires a "floppy" at the end, I
guess to create a boot-disk. I don't have a floppy drive, but I thought
Windows would accept a CD, so I left a blank CD in the drive - but
nonetheless, I got an error message saying that the "floppy" wasn't available
so the process couldn't be completed.

With windows backup you cannot use a cd...
and though it would accept a floppy...one would be too small to hold a
backup of course.
You can backup to a tape drive or another partition...

However it's best simply not to use windows backup...
and either burn your data directly to cd or dvd

or else use soem third party backup software

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Uninstalling the Norton programs was a good idea. Now that you seen the
limitations of the Windows Backup utility you will likely want to get a
decent backup program. My personal choice is Acronis TrueImage
www.acronis.com

 

[Jim]

Hello:

I am a longtime user (with Windows XP SP2) but I've never been able to
get Windows Back-up to work -- because it requires a "floppy" at the end,
I
guess to create a boot-disk. I don't have a floppy drive, but I thought
Windows would accept a CD, so I left a blank CD in the drive - but
nonetheless, I got an error message saying that the "floppy" wasn't
available
so the process couldn't be completed.
Would someone please explain this to me, and how I can get around it?
I've just unloaded all my troublesome Norton programs (including
Save+Restore) and want to give Windows a try. Also, are there any reasons
why I should NOT use the Windows back-up utility? Does it work reasonably
well? I notice that it doesn't compact my disk as much as Norton did.
Any
other major differences?
Thanks.

Yes, NTbackup requires use of a floppy. It will not use any other kind of
device. The files on the floppy do not boot the computer. Instead, you use
the XP CD.
I got around the problem by buying a USB floppy drive.
Jim

 

[Guest]

Thank you, Jim. I will try using my USB floppy drive, as you suggest.
But I am still confused about something. When I use Windows Back-up to back
up my laptop, I send the backup to a Firelite USB external harddrive (only
80gigs, but small enough to carry with me on the road). Then, only at the
end of the back-up, Windows requires this floppy thing - I assumed it was
creating a boot disk, but you say that's not what it's doing. So what is the
purpose? And what will I use the floppy for if not as a boot disk in case of
a crash? Thanks.

 

[Jim]

Thank you, Jim. I will try using my USB floppy drive, as you suggest.
But I am still confused about something. When I use Windows Back-up to
back
up my laptop, I send the backup to a Firelite USB external harddrive (only
80gigs, but small enough to carry with me on the road). Then, only at the
end of the back-up, Windows requires this floppy thing - I assumed it was
creating a boot disk, but you say that's not what it's doing. So what is
the
purpose? And what will I use the floppy for if not as a boot disk in case
of
a crash? Thanks.

It has a couple of files on it. Sorry, I haven't taken the time to
investigate further.
You cannot use the floppy as a boot disk. You can only use it to recover
the backup files. You must use the Windows XP Cd to boot the computer and
restore the backup.
Jim