How To Backup Win XP?

[18rabbit]

The new laptop arrived today. This is the first computer I bought with a pre-loaded operating system, Windows XP. No Win XP discs or printed documentation is included, figure I should make a backup of Win XP before I start loading all the goodies/messing things up. Never done this before. To back up Win XP, do I go to:<br /><br />Start / Programs / Accs / Sys Tools / backup?<br /><br />Or is that utility only for data and not inclusive of the OS? Couldn’t find a clear explanation on MS website on how to create an OS disc that can be used to run the Recovery Console.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[vipzach]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Is this an HP laptop? Alot of the computers now days have been coming with a utilty on them to create a restore disk(s), but I have only seen this option come up when you turn it on for the first time.<br /><br />If you can't figure it out, let me know, I have a program that will create restore cd's for you!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

No, it's an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad. I believe the Win XP utility I listed above will/should create restore discs of data, but I don't know if it creates a restore disc with the Win XP OS on it, i.e. if I initialize my HD, how do I reload Win XP?

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Most mainstream manufactures provide recovery CD's these days. If you happen to blowup up PC the CD's are used to take the PC back to first power up. That is, the first time you powered up after opening the box. I would recommend that you load all the software that you would normally use, then make a image of the HDD. Once the image is made, start loading any other software that you maybe experimenting with. For example, make an image that contains the OS and somesort of Office suit. Having an image with just those two components will save you about 1 1/2 hours when it comes time to reinstall or rebuilding the computer. The most time consuming part is deciding what software you want in your base image. After the image is created, recoverey time is as quick a ten minutes to get the computer back up. Images are also good when you want to clean your machine. I am a computer tech. and I am constantly playing with software. I have to reimage my computer on a regular basis. Images save me a lot of time. There are a lot of great products that will image your computer, I just happen to us Ghost (not a plug...).<br /><br />As for the built in backup utility in XP, I wouldn't trust it. I haven't used it yet because I us other products, but if it works as good as the built in restore utility, I would recommend that you find another solution.<br /><br />Just my humble opinion.<br /><br />C04

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

I’m coming from Win 98. A ‘recover disc’ is a bootstrap that just gets the machine up to the point that I can use the Win 98 discs to either reload sw or ‘fix’ what’s on the hd. The recovery disc does not have the os on it, that’s my understanding based on my Win 98 experience.<br /><br />The Win XP ‘key’ (a billion random digits) is on a MS hologram sticker stuck to the bottom of the laptop. Should probably write those digits down since being on the bottom they will be the first thing to wear off. But I do not have a Win XP disc I can use that ‘key’ with!?!?!<br /><br />That’s my question, how do I make a Win XP disc? … essentially a backup copy of the OS that came preloaded.<br /><br />After I make a backup of the almost-virgin OS I will load Office 2003, Ghost, printer utilities, Micro Trend’s PC-illin, networking routines, etc, then make a more configured backup as you suggested.

 

[vipzach]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

You can't just make a cd like that from windows. Check and see what service pack came preloaded on your laptop, SP1 or SP2, then burn a copy of a friends xp cd with same service pack. IF you try and reload with the wrong copy of the cd, your OEM key won't work.<br /><br />The other thing you can do would be to call IBM and ask for the recovery disks or how to make yourself some.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Two words. <br /><br />NORTON GHOST.<br /><br />Creates bootable backup CD/DVD's (whatever burner you have) and reinstalls the image in about 10 minutes from scratch if you ever have to. <br /><br />Backs up everything on the disc to a perfect image. Your system is restored to the exact state it was in when you 'ghosted' it.

 

[vipzach]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Originally posted by Stiff Nibbles:<br /> Two words. <br /><br />NORTON GHOST.<br /><br />Creates bootable backup CD/DVD's (whatever burner you have) and reinstalls the image in about 10 minutes from scratch if you ever have to. <br /><br />Backs up everything on the disc to a perfect image. Your system is restored to the exact state it was in when you 'ghosted' it.

That is the program that I could let you borrow to make a backup (restore cds)

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

For 12 dollars...invest in a copy of Ghost from eBay. Since you don't have the XP cd, cloning is your only option unless you can obtain XP through other means. Saving the image now, before you load up all the extra software is a good idea but keep in mind the image will only be suitable for that a laptop with that specific hardware pre-installed.

 

[timfromfc]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

I have ThinkPad T42 and there is an application called "Create Rescue Media" that if installed on yours may help. If that doesn't work, check out their support site.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

18rabbit,<br /><br />Pretty big change from Win98 eh...<br /><br />I guess what I'm tring to say is that you can't make a WinXP cd from your current build on your new IBM. I took a look at the backup utility in XP. My understanding is that it will only backup data and additional software that you may have installed, not make OS CD's. The recovery CD's that are shipped with your new laptop when used will restore it to first power up state. Generaly speaking, the computer manufactures do not ship just OS CD's anymore. The set of recovery CD's contain an image of your computer as created by the manufacturer. In the image is the OS, drivers and proprietary utilities. As stated in a previos post, if you are wanting a installation CD of WinXP, you will have to search for it from another source.<br /><br />The CD Key will be necessary everytime you use the recovery CD's to reload you laptop. Generally, the image on the recovery CD has and installation of the OS that has been "syspreped". Sysprep is a MS utility that is run on a computer after a build is created for a particular model line. What it basically does is to remove any unique identifiers from the image ie drivers. So, when you first turn it on, the computer will go through a very quick setup. It will ask you for you "Key", do a search for devices and drivers and your done. It may seem that the computer did a full install of the OS, but in actuality, it was mostly install already.<br /><br />I don't know how far you have gotten with regard to loading software and data but this is a great time to experiment, blowup and then restore the computer from the recovery CD's. Just so you know what you maybe dealing with down the line.<br /><br />As for the licience key on the bottom of your laptop, the sticker is pretty tough. If you are really concerned about wearing it off, use clear packing tape on it. I bet it is safe to say that you will be taking pretty good care of you new laptop. I really don't think you have to worry about it.<br /><br />C04

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

In regards to Ghost. If you do decide to use it, make sure that at the very minium, you get a hold of ver.8 enterprise edition. There is ver 9.0 out on the shelves aimed at home users. From what I have tested, it works but is not as flexible as the enterprise versions. Using Ghost 8 you can back up your entire HDD via USB boot cd to a external HDD. So long as the external HDD is larger than you complete build on the computer and formatted using FAT32. A 10 gig HDD will do for the most part. Ghost can read NTFS but can't right to it (yet). I have tired other imageing software and have found them to be "Ghost wannabe's". They all achieve the same goal, just go about it differently. <br /><br />C04

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

It’s a ThinkPad T43. Called IBM tech support. IBM has their own routines for creating both a recovery disc and recovery media disc. Between those two disc, Win XP and all data files are backed up such that Win XP and all factory loaded sw can be restored. That’s what I need. However, there is a soft key in the Win XP that only allows me to make one set of recovery discs. Will go buy Ghost locally this morning.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for the help/input. Fwiw, Win XP, the stuff on this machine, is about $35 for an OEM copy from online retailers. Ghost costs more than that (locally) but Ghost will allow me to maintain the hd over time.<br /><br />EDIT: Colorado04 – thanks for the info on Ghost on the IBM recover routines. Haven’t done much with the laptop yet, haven’t loaded any sw, want to make clean os backups first, then I’ll proceed to destroy the integrity of the sw on the little feller.<br /> <br /><br />When I first turned the machine on it said “built with FAT32, reformatting to NTFS.” I didn’t have a choice; it did it on its own. What’s the diff between the two, why do I care (other than the Ghost app you mentioned)? Fwiw, I didn’t need to enter the OS key when first turned on it. The system did pretty much as you mentioned in your post.<br /><br />Vipzach – thanks for the offer of the “loaner” sw. It doesn’t cost that much and may be quicker to just buy it locally. Besides, it’s something I want to use regularly.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Fat32 and NTFS are methods of formatting or structuring the HDD for use. FAT32 is the most commen and most compatable file structure used on computers. NTFS however is a proprietary file structure that is unique to WinNT and higher. Fat32 offers the most basic of security features ie, you can share a file, folder or drive to everyone or not. NTFS on the otherhand meets or exceeds US Gov. requirements of C2 security levels. Meaning that you can be very specific as to what and to whom you wish to share data.Right down to specific users and custom permissions and encryption. Without special software, FAT32 is limited to a maximum HDD size it can recognize/create. I forget exactly the size, but I know it is less than NTFS. Using NTFS in WinXP you can create a single volume on the HDD of up to +/- 137 gig. When I got my Maxtor 300 gig USB HDD, I had to to use the Maxtor software to initialize the drive. After that WinXP was able to see all 300 gig. Futher than the basic differences, you start to get into addressing, block sizes etc. blaa blaa blaa. Way too many numbers for me to remember. <br /><br />As to why you might care. I guess it depends on how secure you want your laptop to be. Some say that NTFS is a more efficient file system. Personnally, with the speed of computers these days and the size of HDD' s that are out, that aspect dosn't seem all that important to me. <br /><br />If you are interested in looking deeper into the WinXP OS, Microsoft has a great book out by the name of "WindowsXP Inside and Out". I live by it. It also comes with a CD that will install majority of the info in the book to your computer. Great for quick referencing. I paid about $50 CDN for it at Chapters.<br /><br />If you have question, let me know. I am very fortuate to have the company of some very knowledgable people.<br /><br />C04

 

[ae708]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

I was gonna ask vipzach about what program he had to make restore cd's but I see that he's talking about Ghost.

 

[vipzach]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Originally posted by ae708:<br /> I was gonna ask vipzach about what program he had to make restore cd's but I see that he's talking about Ghost.

I was talking about Norton Ghost, but I have another program made by power quest called easy restore. It works alot like ghost, it makes bootable cd's for you, you just turn on the pc with the disk in and it does the rest.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

As it turns out there is Ghost and then there is Ghost. Probably what Colorado04 was talking about. Norton, Symantec, same company, but Norton Ghost is the consumer product, currently v10. Symantec Ghost is the ‘enterprise edition’ intended for multiple licensing inside corps, don’t now what the current version of it is. I bought Norton Ghost, the consumer product for a couple of reasons; I just need something to do backups and hopefully any issue with FAT32 vs NTSF will be resolved. And because Norton Ghost is a $70 product that was available from Amazon.com for $10 off, or $60. But Symantec offers a $20 rebate if you’ve ever used a Symantec product in past, that brings the price down to $40. But, if you bought Ghost by Nov 5 on Amazon Symantec offered a special add’l rebate of $30, that brought the cost of the product down to $10, with free shipping.<br /><br />Colorado04 – I bought a copy of ‘Windows Xp Inside and Out’, also got ‘Office 2003 Inside and Out’. Any book that has a CD tape inside it scares me, but the shiny blue covers are pretty to look at. Thanks for the tip.<br />

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

No worries....anytime.

 

[4poco]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Norton Ghost works well for me

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: How To Backup Win XP?

Make your one set of recover cd's that is allows..then burn 3 copies of each. If one set gets scratched/lost you will have backups. Imaging is great also. XP also has a restore point feature that..before installing software, run program to set the restore point...if new software "breaks" anything..you can restore your system back.<br /><br />-JMW