Windows Backup Utility

[Edward W. Thompson]

I have never used the Backup Utility included with WINXP, I don't know why,
habit I suppose. I have always used an Imaging Program, Ghost, DI and now
True Image. They all have served me well. However, as the WIN XPprgram is
there I am wonderting why I don't use it. My question is , is what is the
downside to the Win Backup Program? I assume in the event of being unable
to boot into WINXP, you can restart using the CD then restore the system
using the backup, is this how it works? Thinking aloud, I guess you need to
restore from outside of Windows so would need a boot CD, similar to True
Image. Anyway, is there any reason why I should not use the WINXP backup in
preference to a third party imaging program?

 

[Harry Ohrn]

You can't do an ASR (Automated System Recovery) with the Backup program that
ships with XP Home.
If you have XP Pro the Backup utility will enable you to complete an ASR
however you will need a second hard drive or a tape drive to take advantage
of it because the utility doesn't split large files and it won't burn
directly to CD or DVD.
There is no valid reason to use it if you have better imaging software like
those you mentioned.

 

[Edward W. Thompson]

Thanks to both for your response. It seems that the third party imaging
software is the best bet.

You can't do an ASR (Automated System Recovery) with the Backup program that
ships with XP Home.
If you have XP Pro the Backup utility will enable you to complete an ASR
however you will need a second hard drive or a tape drive to take advantage
of it because the utility doesn't split large files and it won't burn
directly to CD or DVD.
There is no valid reason to use it if you have better imaging software like
those you mentioned.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

I have never used the Backup Utility included with WINXP, I don't know why,
habit I suppose. I have always used an Imaging Program, Ghost, DI and now
True Image. They all have served me well. However, as the WIN XPprgram is
there I am wonderting why I don't use it. My question is , is what is the
downside to the Win Backup Program? I assume in the event of being unable
to boot into WINXP, you can restart using the CD then restore the system
using the backup, is this how it works? Thinking aloud, I guess you need
to
restore from outside of Windows so would need a boot CD, similar to True
Image. Anyway, is there any reason why I should not use the WINXP backup
in
preference to a third party imaging program?

 

[tallyman]

Win backup gives the option for data backup or a full system restor
including a recovery boot disk. I've never had to use it so I canno
vouch for it's success, but if you're happy using another program
should stick to that. Incidentally, it's interesting to note tha
backup isn't included with XP Home version & it's not easil
installable - doesn't say much for Microsoft's faith in it, or do the
assume the average home user isn't worried about saving data


-
tallyma

 

[Harry Ohrn]

It is not that Microsoft isn't interested in the average user saving data
after all they did integrate CD Burning capabilities into XP. However the
NTBackup program is not designed for home use. It is designed more for the
professional user who uses a tape backup system and has a need to schedule
backups.