WinXP Back UP

[peshek77]

I have wanted to do this for a long time now. I want to set up my computer just the way I like it with ONLY the ABSOLUTELY necessary software(drivers, video codecs, Service Packs installed, etc.). After I do that I want to burn burn ALL of it on a DVD and if my PC starts acting up, I want to be able to just pop the DVD in and get my PC back to how it was when I was done with all the setup. I guess what I am asking is...First of all is this possible, and if it is what is the best way to accomplish it?

Thank you.

[TechZ]

Its very simple, you make an "image" of it once you have your pc setup the way you want.

I use Norton Ghost for it, one clean image, that withing 2mins I can go back to if I want.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/backup_recovery/ghost10/
Guide: http://ghost.radified.com/

[confus-ed]

There's more things can do this than Ghost .. maybe Acronis (http://www.acronis.com/) or paragon (http://www.paragon-gmbh.com/n_fm.htm) for me if I'm paying (depending just exactly what I'm doing, as all 3 'work'; just each better for some aspects if we have networks involved etc), & there are free utilities that can too (though the links for all the ones I have seem not to work anymore, I shall endeavour to find some ..)

BUT maybe you already paid for something that can do this ?, like say Nero which has the backitup (http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/Nero_BackItUp_Features.html) feature as a part of the full suite (this very often comes bundled in pre-built stuff), other burning software also now has 'system backup' type s/w bundled ;)

[peshek77]

So from those sollutions that you have offered, and I truly thank you for that, I can just format C:\, pop the DVD in and it will just transfer everything from it to drive C:\? And when I restart the PC I will be back to where I had everything working and setup fine?

I just have spending 3 hours every 6 months or so reinstalling WinXP and setting up all the programs I would like to use. I have BounceBackUp. Can it do something like that?

P.S.: I was away from home so thats why I am responding so late.

[confus-ed]

.. I have BounceBackUp. Can it do something like that?..

Depends which version, I think, looking at the documentation .. The 'pro' version, (this) (http://www.cmsproducts.com/product_bounceback_software.htm) looks to do exactly the kind of thing we have been talking about.

& on the other questions, well yeah in theory that's exactly how it should go .. :thumbs:

[Ferrit]

For me Norton ghost 10 is a very simple easy way to image what I want and it has the added feature of adding to the image updating as nessecary.
I image to a usb harddrive
USB case 25 bucks
80 gig harddrive 60 bucks
Cost of peace of mind Priceless

[peshek77]

For everything else there's... you know what :)


Thanks a lot people.

[peshek77]

I have recently found the wonder called PE (Preinstalled Environment). I have downloaded the UBCD4 and it is working great. There is a program there called Image Driv XML. It creates an XML table with all the files on a drive that you are backing up and also a .dat file with all the information contained on that drive. The best part is that you can browse the .dat file. You don't even need to have an OS installed to run this, it is all from the CD.

So... What I will do is set up everything how I need it to be, just make an image of my C: drive on any on my other 2 drives and when windows starts slowing down again -> Very easy

Step One
format c:

Step Two
inser UBCD4

Step Three
Run Image Drive XML and restore my C:

Handy huh?

[orbitalparadox]

I can only run XP home in safe mode and I am going to format my hard drive tonight and then install xp pro. What would be the simplest way of copying all of my files e.g. pictures and video.

[peshek77]

I can only run XP home in safe mode and I am going to format my hard drive tonight and then install xp pro. What would be the simplest way of copying all of my files e.g. pictures and video.

How many physical hard drives(not partitions) do you have?

If you have only one... tough luck. Not much you can do in this case except to burn them on CD/DVDs, or hook up your drive to someone elses PC ant temporarely store your files there. Another alternative is to get an external USB drive and copy the files there. I am not sure, however, if you can burn CD/DVDs in Safe More or if you can use USB devices.

I am sorry I couldn't be of more help, but my Safe Mode knowledge is very limited. I have never had to use it, at least not that I remember.

P.S.: If you haven't formated yet, try starting a thread and describe how your windows stopped working, maybe someone will be able to help you fix it without formatting. Thats unless you really want that XP Pro in, which I sincerely recommend :)

[geeksRus]

you can re-install Windows XP and not lose anything...this often fixes a variety of problems with XP. Try the method described HERE (http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897)