BOAZF - The link I gave is for a re-install. Did your system come with DDSL from Dell? This might be a problem if it is an older system. I know NOTHING about laptops. My system is very new. I haven't heard anything from folks with older machines trying to in stall it.

Jeff :emotion-22:

Hey Jeff,

Thanks a lot for your quick answer.

Do you know, by any cahnce, of a similar software - capable of bacup+creating bootable cd such as Dell's DataSafe?

Thx

BOAZF - Try the backup built into Windows XP.

Jeff

One of the Dell moderators gave me a link to download the trial version of Datasafe so I could see how it works and maybe give some support on the forum for Datasafe.  It wouldn't instlal on my home built PC because it's not a Dell.  But it wouldn't install on my Dell Dimension E510 either and gave an error about partitions not being created (the E510 was before Datasafe).  Thus I couldn't install the trial/free version.    It looks like unless the PC came with it and was setup for it, it can't be installed.  

I, and most of the techies here, use Acronis True Image software for backups.  I make periodic full hard drive (all partitions) backups to a second hard drive (mine is internal but an external USB drive will work as well).  With the full hard drive backup, if either the Operating System partition is corrupted or if the hard drive fails, I can restore the PC to the state it was in from the last backup.  The time to do a complete hard drive restore will depend on the amount of data but generally about an hour.  I do full backups, not incremental as that can be slower and confusing if a restore is needed. 
And, backups are not for "if" they are needed, they are for "when" they are needed.

Thanks a lot for the information.

I wanted to use Datasafe in order to create a full backup, before reinstalling WinXP. As my inspiron 6000 became slower and slower over the years, I would like to start  from scratch, meanning restoring the computer to its original state.

I'm familliar with several backup software but my main concern is for the drivers. Should I backup drivers seperatly?

And more - my computer won't let me create a bootable CD. I tried using Dell's application which came with my Dell's. It stops in the middle of the process and suggesting reboot - which doesn't help.

Like to hear your advise,

Thx,

Boaz

Thx Jeff, I will.

If you don't have the Dell discs (Operating system and the Drivers and utilities disc) and you are in the US you can request a set   HERE  There is a minimal charge (I think $11.00) for the discs but that is cheap.  You must be the registered (registered with Dell) owner.

If you have the Dell Windows disc you can download whatever drivers you need from the Dell downloads   www.support.dell.com  

All you need to backup is the user data such as wordprocessing files, spreadsheet files, music, photos, e-mail address book, etc.  You can't backup "drivers" and you can't back up programs as they require "install" using the programs install procedure. 

The correct and required install is (1) Install Windows (2 Install Dell Desktop or Laptop system software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including video, sound, ethernet, etc.  Do no skip the motherboard chipset drivers as they are key to a successful install.

Thx,

Boaz

If you don't have the Dell discs (Operating system and the Drivers and utilities disc) and you are in the US you can request a set   HERE  There is a minimal charge (I think $11.00) for the discs but that is cheap.  You must be the registered (registered with Dell) owner. If you have the Dell Windows disc you can download whatever drivers you need from the Dell downloads   www.support.dell.com   All you need to backup is the user data such as wordprocessing files, spreadsheet files, music, photos, e-mail address book, etc.  You can't backup "drivers" and you can't back up programs as they require "install" using the programs install procedure.  The correct and required install is (1) Install Windows (2 Install Dell Desktop or Laptop system software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including video, sound, ethernet, etc.  Do no skip the motherboard chipset drivers as they are key to a successful install.

The bolded and enlarged font is what I want to point out on this. He is correct about programs to a certain extent (some older programs can be transferred over but we are talking OLD from the time that Christ himself walked the earth), and completely incorrect about drivers. You can back-up the drivers. You DON'T need an install file with it either. If you have them backed up all you need to do is blow the computer away, load up the OS, right click My Computer and then go properties, then you want to go to Device Manager.  In there you will see all the drivers that aren't installed on your computer (they will have a yellow exclamation mark). Right click one and then select Update Driver Software.  From there you will go to Browse my computer for driver software, select the folder with all your drivers in it, and it WILL install the driver no problem. I do this on a regular basis as I am a Dell Technician.  This post wasn't meant to insult Fireberd at all, just wanted to make sure that someone didn't come by and read this post and be misinformed.