Windows XP back up

john432

Hi, great forum, first post.

I am using XP. I use the back up from the start menu to do my back ups onto a externel drive.
I use the option to "backup evertything". When I use this option does it backup EVERYTHING including the operating system, office and all my files? So, in the event of a hard drive failure, would I be able to use the restore option to put averything back onto a new hard drive? Would it automatically do it all, plus all my pc settings so that I can continue where I was from my last backup.

Your feedback would be appreciated, thankyou.

john432

Me again, has anybody got any experience of above, thanks.

The_Grandmaster

I'm sure someone who knows will answer your question soon!

Richie-from-the-Boro

CD's, DVD's, USB sticks, external caddy's did not exist in 2001 / 2003

- does your current puter have a floppy drive & do you have the floppy disk set from 2001 ?
- or a copy of WinServer 2003 CD

- if you have the above follow these instructions

It's a very long time ago, if my memory serves me wrong someone else please correct me. As I remember it the ASR [ MS / ntbackup ] has a typically stupid MS requirement for a floppy / or / server CD / insertion to check validity.

If you don't have either of the above once again my memories tell me you can't use ASR.

Even if you do have the above I'm not sure that you ' files ' are as you say backed up I think only the O/S file state is backed up which may include for example MS-Office etc but as I remember it does not include your document / pictures / etc.

To the O/P - Hope this helps your understanding, but you may have to use a third party prog
To all others, if I'm wrong correct me

john432

Thanks for your reply, but above is not relevent.
I am using windows XP. I use the "back up" option in, start, accessories, system tools. In the back up option their is a option to back up "everything". I use a externel drive to do the back up. You can then use wizard to do the restore.
I just want to know if the back up (ie everything) will enable me to retore back on to pc with ALL my software (ie operating system, docs, and settings etc) in the event of a hard drive failure.

Anyone got any info on above. Thanks in advance.

googler

I'm struggling to see how you'll copy the OS back from the backup drive onto your primary drive WITHOUT an OS in place ......

Do you have the original install disc(s) matching your version of XP?

I suspect you'll have to install the OS from these, THEN copy your data (and possibly some OS settings etc) back from the backup drive.

HoofeHearted

Have you read this.

It may give you some pointers.

I have never used ntbackup.exe myself.

Richie-from-the-Boro

john432 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, but above is not relevant.

OK my expert friend I'll sit in the background and wait! :rotfl:

REM : #1 & #5 - hard drive failure

Richie-from-the-Boro

closed wrote: »

It's easier with disk imaging software, macrium reflect free, maxblast, clonezilla, paragon etc, they come with a linux boot cd that will (hopefully) be able to see your external drive to enable a restore.

CD's, caddy's and DVD's were around well before 2001/3

They were, but I meant as a backup device, it was I think the advent of SP2 than made provision for auto-backup from within the O/S to anything other than a floppy.

Again, if I'm wrong please correct me.

Zanzibar

john432 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, but above is not relevent.
I am using windows XP. I use the "back up" option in, start, accessories, system tools. In the back up option their is a option to back up "everything". I use a externel drive to do the back up. You can then use wizard to do the restore.
I just want to know if the back up (ie everything) will enable me to retore back on to pc with ALL my software (ie operating system, docs, and settings etc) in the event of a hard drive failure.

Anyone got any info on above. Thanks in advance.

Hi, yes it backs up everything. Its pretty effective - have restored a few PCs like this. To restore you would first load a basic Windows XP installation in order to run the backup program so you could do the restore (you also need to load the same service pack you had) then the restore will overwrite the lot and you will be back to where you were.

Linbox

Ghost or some such - complete system up and running 30 mins max! Google hiren's boot disk - check out lifehacker-best-computer-diagnostic-tools
also see my post moneysavingexpert sorry cant help with the built in xp backup.