non-diskette backups

[David]

I just spent a few days re-installing the OS, drivers, apps, etc on my
kid's laptop. I really don't want to have to do it again so I'd like
to completely backup the install using XP's native backup utility. It
seems, however, that I need a floppy drive to create a boot disk!?!?
How crazy is that in this day and age where many systems (most
laptops) are sold without floppy drives.

Is there a way to use the XP backup utility without the floppy? Why
can't I create a CD boot disk? What other (very) low cost alternatives
are there?

TIA,
David

 

[Jim]

I just spent a few days re-installing the OS, drivers, apps, etc on my
kid's laptop. I really don't want to have to do it again so I'd like
to completely backup the install using XP's native backup utility. It
seems, however, that I need a floppy drive to create a boot disk!?!?
How crazy is that in this day and age where many systems (most
laptops) are sold without floppy drives.

Is there a way to use the XP backup utility without the floppy? Why
can't I create a CD boot disk? What other (very) low cost alternatives
are there?

TIA,
David

NTbackup is written to use the floppy, and there is no way to change the
program. You of course could if you only had access to the source code .

I use Acronis True Image. Others use Ghost. Either one will do the backup
and will create a recovery CD.

I don't know what you consider "(very) low cost" hence
I can't comment.

Jim

 

[Malke]

I just spent a few days re-installing the OS, drivers, apps, etc on my
kid's laptop. I really don't want to have to do it again so I'd like
to completely backup the install using XP's native backup utility. It
seems, however, that I need a floppy drive to create a boot disk!?!?
How crazy is that in this day and age where many systems (most
laptops) are sold without floppy drives.

Is there a way to use the XP backup utility without the floppy? Why
can't I create a CD boot disk? What other (very) low cost alternatives
are there?

You don't want to do this with XP's native backup utility anyway. Get an
imaging program and an external hard drive. I prefer Acronis True Image.
You can create an image of the system as it is now and store that image
on the external hard drive. After you install Acronis, use the Bootable
Media Creator to make a bootable CD. If you want to restore your saved
image, boot with the Acronis CD you made and point it to the file on the
external hard drive. You can also do incremental backups with True Image.


Malke

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

That NTBACKUP is a really poor way to do this. What you really want to do is
an Imaging tool to create an image that you store on CD/DVD. BootIt NG has
such a tool, and for your one-time use it's free.

www.bootitng.com. Get BootIt, not Image. BootIt NG includes an imaging tool
that will work just fine. You download the app, run it to create a bootable
CD or floppy, boot to that, CANCEL the installation and then use Partition
Work. Highlight the partition, click Image, change to the CD drive and Paste
the image. It will span however many CDs or DVDs is required. When you want
to restore the image, you first delete the existing partition, then go to
the CD, click Image again, then back to the HD and Paste.

 

[David]

Thanks to all for the info!! :>

David

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Just remember to save all your personal data before doing a Restore.
Murphy's Law applies, especially since the storage media is CDs. Might even
make copies of the CDs using a disk copier. And try a restore operation
immediately after making the image. If it fails, all you'll have to do is
reinstall. Wouldn't want to do that after you've been using it a while.

 

[philosoph2b]

That NTBACKUP is a really poor way to do this. What you really want to do is
an Imaging tool to create an image that you store on CD/DVD. BootIt NG has
such a tool, and for your one-time use it's free.

www.bootitng.com. Get BootIt, not Image. BootIt NG includes an imaging tool
that will work just fine. You download the app, run it to create a bootable
CD or floppy, boot to that, CANCEL the installation and then use Partition
Work. Highlight the partition, click Image, change to the CD drive and Paste
the image. It will span however many CDs or DVDs is required. When you want
to restore the image, you first delete the existing partition, then go to
the CD, click Image again, then back to the HD and Paste.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/Userwww.grystmill.com



Ive made the disk. Rebooted. Ive cancelled the install and selected partitions and nothing has happened. what is going on? what am i supposed to do?-

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

What do you mean "selected partitions"? That you clicked on Partition Work
and nothing happened, or that you got into Partition Work and then selected
a partition (you can only select one)? Once you select a partition, you
choose a task to perform from the right column.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

Ive made the disk. Rebooted. Ive cancelled the install and selected
partitions and nothing has happened. what is going on? what am i supposed to
do?-

 

[David]

www.bootitng.com. Get BootIt, not Image. BootIt NG includes an imaging tool
that will work just fine. You download the app, run it to create a bootable
CD or floppy, boot to that, CANCEL the installation and then use Partition
Work. Highlight the partition, click Image, change to the CD drive and Paste
the image. It will span however many CDs or DVDs is required. When you want
to restore the image, you first delete the existing partition, then go to
the CD, click Image again, then back to the HD and Paste.

When I boot with the BootIt NG disk, I am asked whether I want to
continue with the install. I respond no and then am left in what
appears to be a desktop with numerous buttons. When I select Partition
Work, the desktop loses the button and there are three pullo-down
menus: Boot(It?) Utilities and Help. Nothing other than the mouse is
operational at this point. Can't access any menu via mouse or
keyboard.

Any thoughts?

TIA,
David