Harleybutch,

 

1.  There is no real need to back up individual registry keys. 

 

2.  System Restore is an automatic process managed by Windows.  You can create a restore poing anytime you wish.  Here is some info from Windows -> Help:

 

To create a Restore Point
Access the System Restore Wizard through Help and Support Center.
Click Create a restore point, and then click Next.
In the Restore point description box, type a name to identify this restore point. System Restore automatically adds to this name the date and time that this Restore Point is created.
To finish creating this restore point, click Create.
To cancel restore point creation and return to the Welcome to System Restore screen, click Back.
To cancel restore point creation and exit the System Restore Wizard, click Cancel.
 Notes

To access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, and then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click Run the System Restore Wizard.
Creating a restore point can be useful any time you anticipate making changes to your computer that are risky or might make your computer unstable.
To view or to return to this restore point, from the Welcome to System Restore screen of the System Restore Wizard select Restore my computer to an earlier time. Then select the date when the restore point was created from the calendar in the Select a Restore Point screen. All of the restore points that were created on the selected date are listed by name in the list box to the right of the calendar.

 

 

 

Be sure that System Restore is enabled and it will create restore points automatically  Here is some useful info from Windows -> Help:. 

 

To change System Restore settings

You can change System Restore settings by:

Excluding a non-system drive so System Restore does not monitor or restore it
Resuming System Restore monitoring
Allocating more disk space to System Restore
Turning off System Restore
Turning on System Restore

 Notes

System Restore is enabled on all drives when you first start your new computer or when the operating system is installed, unless you have less than 200 MB of available space on the hard disk (or the partition that contains your operating system folder).

If you do not have enough disk space available when your operating system is installed, then you must turn on System Restore, using the preceding steps, after you have made sufficient disk space available.

If you run out of disk space, System Restore becomes inactive. When you have made sufficient disk space available, System Restore is automatically activated, but all previous restore points are lost.

When System Restore is turned off on a partition or drive, all restore points stored on that partition or drive are deleted. Changes that are made on an excluded partition or drive are not reverted during a System Restore.

 

3.  A "Last Known Good" system state is automatically maintained by Windows.  You do not need to do anything at all for this to work.

 

 

Backing up your important data is the most important backup process that you can do on a regular basis.  Important data on your computer usually includes your "My Documents" folder, any tax records, medical records or information, e-mail accounts, address books and e-mails, photos, and any other stuff that you have on your computer that you cannot replace or reinstall.  Programs, including Windows itself, that can be reinstalled from CD do not need to be included in your backup routine.  You can also use a program such as Norton Ghost or another program to make a complete copy of your hard drive on CD or DVD.

 

Steve

You seem to know what you're talking about.  Assume I have very little technical knowledge, but am rather pleased with myself for making a backup (15 CDs) before replacing my Dell hard drive.

 

Problem is, how on earth do I now restore my backup on to the same Dell desktop PC (Win XP) since all my original folders will have gone?

 

Thank you.

Login Not Previously Used,

 

If your backup process which created the 15 CD's retained the folder structure of your original hard drive, then restoring that backup will also restore the folder structure.

 

This will be true if you used a program such as Norton Ghost or a similar program to create an "image" or an exact copy of your hard drive spanned across the 15 CD's

 

Steve

Thank you Steve,

 

Sounds hopeful, but then how do I physically restore my backup to the new hard drive.  Do I need to purchase the software you spoke of or is there a simple process to follow and if so what is it?  I've spent several hours reading Dell and Micosoft FAQs and the Win XP help pages, but cannot identify how to restore from CD to a new hard drive.

 

Thanks again.

Login Not Previously Used,

 

What software did you use to do the backup?

 

Steve

If I recall, it was Norton, which of course I don't have any more because the programme is one of many I backed up!

 

The Norton Anti Virus programme was purchased and downloaded on line and, not anticipating a hard disk failure, so is are my Norton Account details.

 

Thanks again Steve.

Login Not Previously Used,

 

You may need to purchase Norton again.  If you do, consider burning the installation file and your account details to CD to help avoid future frustration.  You may also be able to talk to the folks at Norton (Symantec) to download it again for free or for a small fee.  If you know of someone who has the program that you used to do your backup, you can contact him/her and ask to borrow it do do your restore.

 

Steve

I'll do that Steve.  Thanks for all your kind support.

Login Not Previously Used,

 

You are welcome.  Good luck on your quest.

 

Steve