Backing up Windows

[elty]

Hi, this is what I want to do

I want to backup Windows, and if my Windows go crap for some reason, I can use it as a bootup DVD and it will automatically "fix" windows for me

Anyone know if some software can do that?

For other normal types of back up I think I will just use nero to drag and drop.

[v00d00]

Norton Ghost.

[jollyeskimo]

ghost does this, acronis trueimage does it as well

[siriuskao]

ghost. I hardly swap out any components on my pc so I keep a dvd image with XP SP2 + software I use regularly, beats reinstall everything.

[.iNiz]

ghost. I hardly swap out any components on my pc so I keep a dvd image with XP SP2 + software I use regularly, beats reinstall everything.

How do yo ukeep a dvd image with XP SP2 + Software?...with Ghost?..I have ghost...just take a iamge of the WHOLE drive..or is there some other process?

[Headhunter]

How do yo ukeep a dvd image with XP SP2 + Software?...with Ghost?..I have ghost...just take a iamge of the WHOLE drive..or is there some other process?

Install Windows, service packs and whatever else on a partition, then make an image of that partition.

It takes a whole image of that drive (partition, not physical drive), so clear out anything unnecessary before using Ghost or a similar product.

[.iNiz]

I getcha!.....Thats cool...

Ok is it possible to create a windows partition now?...if i'm to late..because i Have windows and all my program files in one drive....

is it possible to create two partitions..one for everything else and one for windows?..or am I too late?

[Cafe_333]

Ok is it possible to create a windows partition now?...if i'm to late..because i Have windows and all my program files in one drive.... is it possible to create two partitions..one for everything else and one for windows?..or am I too late?

To move your program files? You're too late since it's all close to the beginning of your partition. But why bother seperating it? I would keep Windows and all program files on the same partition. It's better and faster for your harddrive when there's less head movements. I usually partition my harddrive one for Windows/Program Files and one for core data like personal stuff, downloads, multimedia content, etc.

[Headhunter]

To move your program files? You're too late since it's all close to the beginning of your partition. But why bother seperating it? I would keep Windows and all program files on the same partition. It's better and faster for your harddrive when there's less head movements. I usually partition my harddrive one for Windows/Program Files and one for core data like personal stuff, downloads, multimedia content, etc.

Exactly, the whole idea is that upon restoring an image, you can do whatever you want out of the box.

By clearing out anything unnecessary, I was referring more to miscellaneous multimedia files, installed games (back up your save files and maps/bonus packs!), and things of that nature.

[IVNP]

I have a question related to this topic so I thought just ask it here instead. Is there some way to make your own restore CD for notebook like those from the makers?(well used to I suppose since now alot of them use those hdd restore deal.) The notebook I'm using doesn't have optical drive in the unit except via those dell media cable thingie(have floppy and cdrom drives) so can't figure out how to boot from those with USB device enabled without having to go to the OS.
I want to be able to restore not under windows because the problem I had before happens in windows, some thing(virus or something I guess.) weird happened and the cursor and system would go very very slow or half in windows(so using ghost under windows to restore would be very hard to do unles I want to waste alot of time to get it selected and run...etc.) and sometimes I can't even load windows 'cause the WinXP loading(the bar with blue blocks...) would go very slow and then stop even for safe mode. I thought it might be bad ram but did the memtest few times and turned up nothing.
So now I just do a fresh install of win2k. Is there a program would do what I want? I might even settle for some program that would let me clone my hdd/data completely via USB to another hdd so I can swap it when crap happens and format the one with problem again to make backup. Thanks in advance.

[gthorley]

Install Windows, service packs and whatever else on a partition, then make an image of that partition.

It takes a whole image of that drive (partition, not physical drive), so clear out anything unnecessary before using Ghost or a similar product.

Will Ghost allow just a partition? I thought the boot info and other stuff was located outside the partition on your disk. Acronis makes you mirror the whole disk. Ghost would make life simpler for me if it works like that as I have dual boot system.

[RideGuy]

You could make an unattended Windows disc. I made one that has WinXP SP2, basic Office2003, tons of drivers (video, audio, chipset, storage, etc), windows updates, and tons of programs. And it all fits on a 700meg CD. It's amazing the amount of crap you can cut out of WinXP and Office2003.

The disc is completely automated, all the information is pre-done. Just put in the disc and walk away. Come back later to have Windows and all your programs installed automatically. The best part is you can use it on any hardware. So if your components change it still works unlike a ghost image.

www.msfn.org for info.


RideGuy

[Bskll]

different concepts here,

winxp unattended install, is a fresh install of XP like you would with any other OS, except you can preconfig Win XP and add in some software.

Ghost/True image copies sector by sector data of any partation/disk you pick and skips the page file.

so in essence, with an imaging software, you could have you pc formatted, install with unattended install, install games, browsers, programs, acro reader, and update them all. then you image the partation, take the image and store it on anything you want, be it external hard drive or DVD. and if you comp of fubar on you as bad as the hdd completely unusable, you could buy a new hdd, partation it any size and restore the image and be up and running in less than 30 min,(minus shopping time to get hdd).

plus, imaging saves like everything on the hdd or partation you pick, like the pron you have , saved games, documents, cookies, anything.

but best idea is to have your personal media/install programs/saved games/pics/videos/isos/tv shows backed up on a seperate partation. and install all programs to c: drive. then image c: and restore as needed.