Lost MS Disc

[Guest]

I still haven't installed SP2. I figured it's getting about time to do it so
I thought I should backup my files.

I read where there is something called NTBACKUP on my Win XP Home Edition
disc so I decided to add it. But I cannot locate my Win XP Home Ed disc.

Is there a way to burn a copy of Win XP Home Ed. to a CD ROM?

Thank you,
m

p.s. I bought my computer from Dell.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll have to contact Dell and request a CD replacement.
You cannot burn your current Windows XP installation
to a CD....you need the Dell Reinstallation CD.

Welcome to Dell Support
http://support.dell.com/home.aspx

Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm#backup_home

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&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I still haven't installed SP2. I figured it's getting about time to do it so
| I thought I should backup my files.
|
| I read where there is something called NTBACKUP on my Win XP Home Edition
| disc so I decided to add it. But I cannot locate my Win XP Home Ed disc.
|
| Is there a way to burn a copy of Win XP Home Ed. to a CD ROM?
|
| Thank you,
| m
|
| p.s. I bought my computer from Dell.

 

[Justin Haygood]

No, but if you have a friend with an XP disk, you could install NTBACKUP
from that.

Also, SP2 doesn't really require backing up files, since it does this
itself, unless something goes terribly wrong, it *normally* fixes itself
if something happens that causes the install to fail (it simply undoes
the update, restart the computer, undoes changes, and comes back to your
desktop with no changes). if the install succeeds, and you want to go
back, you can uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs or System Restore.

--Justin Haygood

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Since your computer came from Dell and assuming Windows XP also came from
Dell, they is the source and who you need to contact for a replacement CD.
If Windows XP is Dell OEM, Microsoft can not help.

 

[Rock]

No, but if you have a friend with an XP disk, you could install NTBACKUP
from that.

Also, SP2 doesn't really require backing up files, since it does this
itself, unless something goes terribly wrong, it *normally* fixes itself
if something happens that causes the install to fail (it simply undoes
the update, restart the computer, undoes changes, and comes back to your
desktop with no changes). if the install succeeds, and you want to go
back, you can uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs or System Restore.

--Justin Haygood

Justin that's not good advice. It is always the best course of action
to have a full and complete backup, regardless of any intended OS
changes, but especially when making major changes to the OS, which SP2 is.

 

[R. McCarty]

The way you phrased the question, it isn't clear as to what you want to
do ? It's not possible to download & burn XP or are you asking if you
can burn a copy from someone who also has a Dell OEM Home disk ?

If your PC has a burner, you can make a "Core" backup without any
software. Most all your data is in your Profile directory. You can create
a second user, login to that account & then burn your profile tree to
CD-R. If content exceeds 670 Megabytes, you might have to do more
than a single disk. Profiles are stored at C:\Documents & Settings. But
Explorer, needs a couple of options changed so that you can view the
entire contents.

You'd be better served to invest in an Imaging program, like Ghost or
Acronis True Image. Use the software to image your machine on a
regular basis and occasionally burn the image files to CD-R/DVD-R
and keep off the computer, for additional safety/protection. Just make
sure you store them someplace where you can locate them.

 

[Guest]

Thank you all so much.

I'm going to start with Dell and see if I can get another disc from them.


I am very nervous about installing SP2 - do you think it might be worthwhile
to buy MS Win XP with SP2 on it? Money is not an issue.

If I were to do that, would I get around potential problems I could have by
d/l SP2 and installing it on my current Win XP SP1 system?

I'm not a computer expert so forgive me if this is a dumb question. (I once
asked a friend where the rewind button was on my CD ROM).

Thanks,
m

 

[Ken Blake]

In

No, but if you have a friend with an XP disk, you could install
NTBACKUP from that.

If you don't have an XP CD, you can download ntbackup.msi at

http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi

Also, SP2 doesn't really require backing up files, since it
does this
itself, unless something goes terribly wrong, it *normally*
fixes
itself if something happens that causes the install to fail (it

I completely disagree. Installing any service pack is a big step,
and before talking any big step, it's prudent to back up anything
you can't afford to lose. It's true that problems are rare, but
that doesn't obviate the need for a backup.

 

[Sleepless in Seattle]

Really, since when did XP backup data files and to where does it back them
up.

 

[Rock]

Thank you all so much.

I'm going to start with Dell and see if I can get another disc from them.


I am very nervous about installing SP2 - do you think it might be worthwhile
to buy MS Win XP with SP2 on it? Money is not an issue.

If I were to do that, would I get around potential problems I could have by
d/l SP2 and installing it on my current Win XP SP1 system?

I'm not a computer expert so forgive me if this is a dumb question. (I once
asked a friend where the rewind button was on my CD ROM).

Thanks,
m

Mischele, here are some links with information on what to do to prepare
for the SP2 install:

Installing Service Packs
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Pre-Install, Install, Cleaning Up Afterwards
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=45

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Get the Latest Updates and Information from Your PC Manufacturer Before
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=837783

Free Technical Support for SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&x=18&y=6&c1=509&gprid=6794&

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Justin;
What?
Are you sure?
Exactly what is backed up during the Service Pack installation?

Personal files?
Music?
Important documents?
Email?
NONE of the above.

How about system Files?
That's it, the same files Windows needs.
If there are catastrophic troubles, System Restore takes care of the system
files.
You will need to restore your own data using the back-ups you previously
created.
You should always have back-ups of all important data, not just during
updates, but all the time.

See this for more about System Restore:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mischele;
If Dell can not help, try Ebay:
http://search.ebay.com/dell_Operati...brftogZ1QQsocdpfcatZ11226QQsofocusZbsQQsojsZ1
Only after other sources fail, buy Windows XP retail.

You should have your CD available before you start SP-2 installation.

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

 

[John]

I still haven't installed SP2. I figured it's getting about time to do it so
I thought I should backup my files.

I read where there is something called NTBACKUP on my Win XP Home Edition
disc so I decided to add it. But I cannot locate my Win XP Home Ed disc.

Is there a way to burn a copy of Win XP Home Ed. to a CD ROM?

Thank you,
m

p.s. I bought my computer from Dell.

The CD key is the important part. Just burn a copy of a friend's XP disk
that is the exact same version as yours. Home to Home, Pro to Pro. OEM
is a little trickier, either the comps must be the same or the OEM disk
must be generic (purchased along with a piece of hardware).

John