Question on using Windows Backup

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Jim

I plan to do a clean install of XP on my friends computer. He wants to
backup/restore most apps and all the data files. Not having used the Windows
backup utility before, do I then select "Let me choose what to back up",
check the C drive box and then un-check anything I don't want to backup?

I'm going to save the backup file to an external HD.

TIA
 
Jim said:
I plan to do a clean install of XP on my friends computer. He wants to
backup/restore most apps and all the data files. Not having used the Windows
backup utility before, do I then select "Let me choose what to back up",
check the C drive box and then un-check anything I don't want to backup?

I'm going to save the backup file to an external HD.

TIA
Click to expand...


Pretty much. But be advised that it would be utterly pointless to
attempt to backup and then restore any applications.

Once you've reinstalled the OS, you'll still also have to reinstall
(from the original media) each and every application, in order to
recreate the hundreds (possibly thousands) of registry entries and to
replace the dozens (possibly hundreds) of essential system files back
into the appropriate Windows folders and sub-folders.


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Bruce Chambers

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Jim said:
I plan to do a clean install of XP on my friends computer. He wants to
backup/restore most apps and all the data files. Not having used the
Windows backup utility before, do I then select "Let me choose what to back
up", check the C drive box and then un-check anything I don't want to
backup?

I'm going to save the backup file to an external HD.

TIA
Click to expand...


My advice would be to simply back up the actual data files as opposed to
relying on Windows Backup. Also, check to make sure the files can be
restored before wiping out your friend's current XP installation. Once
you've reinstalled XP and all programs you can go about restoring the data
files.

You might consider using the Files and Settings transfer wizard using just
the Settings option. Once again, I wouldn't rely on this program to back up
data files but I have had success restoring many settings as well as
favorites and email stores.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I should only backup the data files and
not the applications. I think I can re-install most of his apps.
 
Jim said:
I plan to do a clean install of XP on my friends computer. He wants to
backup/restore most apps and all the data files. Not having used the Windows
backup utility before, do I then select "Let me choose what to back up",
check the C drive box and then un-check anything I don't want to backup?

I'm going to save the backup file to an external HD.

TIA
Click to expand...
I'd go ahead and make that full backup anyway. If windows backup will
restore a file at a time, its safer to know you got the whole hard drive
backed up rather than find out later that you didn't backup enough. The
first few times I reloaded, I did it that way. Until I got confident
of myself and my system and learned where different files and settings
were that is.

I'd do a test run and see if you can backup a single folder and then
restore a few select files. Make a dummy test folder and some music
files or something. Better safe than sorry you know.
 
Jim said:
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I should only backup the data
files and not the applications. I think I can re-install most of his
apps.
Click to expand...

Make sure you also back up browser favorites and e-mail folders. If he
saved his downloaded application installation files, copy those, too.
 
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