Automated System Recovery (ASR) Program: Where Located, Please ?

Question

Hello: Brand new XP user. Have a new 4700. a. Heard that it's a good idea to use that ASR (Automated System Recovery) program periodically in case the system crashes. Can't seem to find it. Where is it located, please ? b. Any other things I should do in case the system crashes, like creating emergency boot disks, etc. ? c. Read also about: 'Copy the Ntldr and the Ntdetect.com files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP Setup CD-ROM' Is this something to do, too ? Any place to get these files without going to the Setup CD, which came in a sealed package from Dell. Sort of hate to break it open, but will certainly do so if you advise that it's something very worthwhile to do ? Thanks, Bob

BigBrother · Answer

BOBRRR,

The following information is in the Help and Support documentation included with Windows XP using a search for "ASR":

To create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup

Open Backup.
The Backup Utility Wizard starts by default, unless it is disabled.
Click the Advanced Mode button in the Backup Utility Wizard.
On the Tools menu, click ASR Wizard.
Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

*********************

To recover from a system failure using Automated System Recovery

Make sure you have the following items before you begin the recovery procedure:
- Your previously created Automated System Recovery (ASR) floppy disk.
- Your previously created backup media.
- The original operating system installation CD.
Insert the original operating system installation CD into your CD drive.
Restart your computer. If prompted to press a key in order to start the computer from CD, press the appropriate key.
Press F2 when prompted during the text-only mode section of Setup. You will be prompted to insert the ASR floppy disk you have previously created.
Follow the directions on the screen.

*********************

Additional information is available from the MSKB. Check these links which were found by searching for "ASR":

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299526

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299044

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818903

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Steve

BigBrother · Answer

BOBRRR,

With MSKB, you sometimes have to browse through 25 or more articles to find the few that you need. I figured that the extra info from MSKB might be more than you were asking for, but it should come in handy. Glad that I could get you what you needed.

Steve

BOBRRR · Answer

Hi,

I did try there, honest. It didn't come up ?
Some MS KB articles came up, that spoke a little about it, but that was it.
Honest.

What you wrote is exactly what I was looking for.
Much thanks; appreciate it.

Happy holidays,
Bob

Dietmar · Answer

ASR is part of XP Pro, but it is not included in XP Home.

BOBRRR · Answer

Hi Steve:

Hate to appear dumber with this than I am, but are you sure
that the ASR Wizard is part of XP HOME ed. ?

I still can't find it !

It's not in System Tools in my program listing, and clicking
on the button and link you were nice enough to include
give me an error msg. that says: "ms its is not a registered protocol"

Have the feeling that it's not in the Home ed., only in the Professional.
One or two of the MS KB articles also seemed to allude that this might be the case, but not sure ?

What do you think ?

Bob

BigBrother · Answer

BOBRRR, Do you have 'backup' in your system tools?  I have XP Pro, and 'ASR' itself is not listed in my 'system tools' either.  I have to start the Backup utility first to get to the ASR wizard. Steve

JRosenfeld · Answer

You can install backup from the XP Home CD, but as Dieter says ASR does not work for XP Home http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302894 Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 12-24-2004 11:44 PM

BigBrother · Answer

JRosenfeld, Since the backup utility can be installed for Windows XP Home, then the ASR procedures should be available to the XP Home user afterward. Steve

BigBrother · Answer

JRosenfeld,   That is a very unfortunate circumstance for XP Home customers.  It is another supporting reason to do regular backups of important data to CD or other media.  In the event of a catastrophic OS failure, having a current backup of important information is the only way to avoid catastrophic data loss.   Steve

JRosenfeld · Answer

Sorry, but no. You can use backup, but not ASR for emergency recovery

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302700/EN-US/

states, amongst other

The ASR Wizard may create the floppy disks and a backup file (Backup.bkf). The floppy disks, however, cannot start the ASR process in Windows XP Home Edition if they are used after a catastrophic system failure.

GreyMack · Answer

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard might be a good idea also to backup configutation settings in addition to user data, and/or imaging software to backup an entire drive or partition. With imaging software it may be convenient to put the bulk of user data on a separate partition and back it up separately, keeping the image of the operating system, drivers, utilities, and applications from growing unweildly as the collection of user data grows.

GM

Windows General

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