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Windows XP back up
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ZANZIBAR thankyou for your reply.
You mention service pack 3. Yes I am on service pack 3, but my original xp disc has service pack 2. So, when I do a restore from my backup ( ie everything ) will it restore service pack 3 from the back up.
Could you clarify that this backup "everything " option does operating system, office, settings and my own docs.
Thankyou.0 -
ZANZIBAR thankyou for your reply.
You mention service pack 3. Yes I am on service pack 3, but my original xp disc has service pack 2. So, when I do a restore from my backup ( ie everything ) will it restore service pack 3 from the back up.
Could you clarify that this backup "everything " option does operating system, office, settings and my own docs.
Thankyou.
Hi, The procedure would be:
1. Reload XP from wherever (even if its in trial mode)
2. Apply the service pack you were running (download it or install from CD or mem stick)
3. Run NTBACKUP and restore from your backup
You install the service pack or the restored Windows will crash as I have found out (though that was on Windows Server) - I'd be pretty sure it would be the same the XP as they updated the way things worked between service packs including backup so it should be the same as at backup time.
The backup program (NTBACKUP.EXE) runs in 2 modes Wizard mode - where it says 'Backup Everything..' or manual where you just tick every box to do the same. Indeed, everything (all files) are backed up - Data, programs, Windows and the System Sate (i.e. the important part that has the registry and boot configuration information).
The part that ensures a proper complete backup is the Volume Snapshot Service (VSS) the MS introduced with XP - this ensures a reliable backup even if files are open. Its the same as used on Windows Server and allows everything to be included on a backup. If you want to actually check what is in a backup file (*.bkf) you can read its catalogue - i.e. "Tools\Catalog a backup file.." then it lists exactly what is in a .bkf file in the Restore window.
It does actually have a default 'excludes' setting - this skips all temporary files, the page file plus other irrelevant files. You do not need these as they are recreated at boot time but you could save those too if you really wanted.
Note that NTBACKUP.EXE is not in XP Home by default and has to be copied off the CD to get it to run but you can use XP Home to restore an XP Professional backup if needed. Seagate wrote it and its actually pretty reliable.0 -
ZANIBAR, thankyou again.
Still need more info to make sure the back up will actually restore fully.
You mention in step 2 above about installing SP3 from cd / mem. stick.
How do I do this?
I have looked on the microsoft website, I can order a disc with the full version of SP3. Is this what I need?
Could you please reply, thanks.0 -
i agree disk cloning is better and faster to restore , i'd recommend clonezilla as powerful tool but does rather some reading before use but restore is fast and reliable0
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ZANIBAR,
Could you reply to post 15.
Thanks0 -
Ignore the network installer bit:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en
+1 for disk imaging and clonezilla. Much easier and quicker.0 -
ZANIBAR, thankyou again.
Still need more info to make sure the back up will actually restore fully.
You mention in step 2 above about installing SP3 from cd / mem. stick.
How do I do this?
I have looked on the microsoft website, I can order a disc with the full version of SP3. Is this what I need?
Could you please reply, thanks.
Hi again. Id agree with the 'clone' type programs as they are faster. I use Acronis myself but that free one is similar but haven't used it myself - it will be more cryptic to use as it not especially meant for ease of use - but its free.
As you say you can get a CD of Service Pack 3 - which is always useful to have. Downloading at the time of a restore is less practical as your would have to get your PC onto the Internet before you could download. To get it onto a memory stick you just download (as per link above) and save.
To be honest for the price of Acronis (or similar) - about £30 - its is less wasted time as it works straight away - just pop the CD in and select a few options to backup and thats it. Restores are the same.
If you only want to do occasional backups then NTBACKUP does definitely work, but its a bit slower if you have lots of data. The Clone type tools are essential if you need to restore the same set of software to multiple PCs - say in setting up a classroom or office.
Maybe try that free one - or download a month trial of Acronis or Ghost or quite a few others that are about.0 -
ZANIBAR & everyone else.
Thankyou for your input.0 -
To be honest for the price of Acronis (or similar) - about £30 - its is less wasted time as it works straight away - just pop the CD in and select a few options to backup and thats it. Restores are the same.
Maxtor:
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=MaxBlast_5&vgnextoid=7add8b9c4a8ff010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD
Seagate:
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=DiscWizard&vgnextoid=d9fd4a3cdde5c010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD
Western Digital:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119&wdc_lang=enStompa0
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