Windowsxp - Backup

[Abay]

Hello,

I normally back up all my data to an external hard drive, I have all the
original cd's for programs and had assumed that if a disaster happens and I
loose my hard drive and could recover all my data and re-install programs
as I have done in the past when I switch computers. Now unfortunately one
of my original cd's has cracked down one side, and cannot be read.

My question: how can I do a full backup of my system so that I can still use
the program on the cracked cd. Its something I should do anyway, but have
not felt the need to do in the past.

I checked the accessories thinking I would find something under System
tools, but no such luck.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

Abay

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello,

I normally back up all my data to an external hard drive, I have all the
original cd's for programs and had assumed that if a disaster happens and
I loose my hard drive and could recover all my data and re-install
programs as I have done in the past when I switch computers. Now
unfortunately one of my original cd's has cracked down one side, and
cannot be read.

My question: how can I do a full backup of my system so that I can still
use the program on the cracked cd. Its something I should do anyway, but
have not felt the need to do in the past.

I checked the accessories thinking I would find something under System
tools, but no such luck.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

Abay

You're talking about creating an image of your installation. Several
third-party products can do this, e.g. Acronis TrueImage.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello,

I normally back up all my data to an external hard drive, I have all the
original cd's for programs and had assumed that if a disaster happens and I
loose my hard drive and could recover all my data and re-install programs
as I have done in the past when I switch computers.

Yes, you ca do this. However note that many people have substantial
time and effort investing in customizing Windows and their
applications to work the way they like them. Having to reinstall and
recustomize everything can be a time-consuming task. For that reason,
I prefer to backup an image of the entire drive, not just data.

Now unfortunately one
of my original cd's has cracked down one side, and cannot be read.

My question: how can I do a full backup of my system so that I can still use
the program on the cracked cd. Its something I should do anyway, but have
not felt the need to do in the past.

There are several third-party programs that can do this. My personal
favorite is Acronis TrueImage.

I checked the accessories thinking I would find something under System
tools, but no such luck.

Also note that if you ever want to change or add a feature in this
program with the cracked CD, you may need it. Sometimes even program
updates require the original CD. Over and above the backup issue, If I
were you, I would contact the program vendor to see about getting a
replacement CD.

 

[Abay]

Many thanks for your reply ... unfortunately this is not possible as it was
issued some years back .. originally for win95 .. It is Microsoft original
Greetings Workshop Deluxe (not a serious program so to speak, but I use and
manipulate it a lot, find it superior to other later programs) ..

Abay

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Many thanks for your reply ...

You're welcome. Glad to help.

unfortunately this is not possible as it was
issued some years back .. originally for win95 .. It is Microsoft original
Greetings Workshop Deluxe (not a serious program so to speak, but I use and
manipulate it a lot, find it superior to other later programs) ..

Abay

 

[Paul Randall]

Hello,

I normally back up all my data to an external hard drive, I have all the
original cd's for programs and had assumed that if a disaster happens and
I loose my hard drive and could recover all my data and re-install
programs as I have done in the past when I switch computers. Now
unfortunately one of my original cd's has cracked down one side, and
cannot be read.

My question: how can I do a full backup of my system so that I can still
use the program on the cracked cd. Its something I should do anyway, but
have not felt the need to do in the past.

I checked the accessories thinking I would find something under System
tools, but no such luck.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

Now that you know that CDs can be broken (or lost or stolen), why not use
software like Nero or Easy CD Creator (you can sometimes buy a CD/DVD drive
containing Nero for $20 to $30 after rebate) to make working copies of all
your important CD/DVDs and put the originals in a safe place.

-Paul Randall