How to back up operating system?

Question

i'd like to reformat my hardrive.  how do i back up the windows xp operating system?

BELL BOY · Answer

Assume you don’t have a WXP installation CD?

To “back up WXP OS” you would have to use imaging software & only use it if your existing system is working without any problems/errors?

Products most recommend are, Acronis True Image, Symantec Ghost or click on DriveImage XML (never used it but it’s free), read web site FAQ links

A bit more complicated than your issue but see this thread

Message Edited by BELL BOY on 09-30-2007 07:30 PM

mombodog · Answer

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457074.aspx#ECAA

Also read "What Gets Migrated?" near the top

I recommend using an external usb hard drive to back up to, not floppy's or CD/DVD's

This does not back up all your files, if you have any data in folders you made yourself, back them up by using copy and paste to the external hard drive. This does not back up programs either.

Backing up your OS using image software should be done before problems start, does no good to do it afterwords, you will have all the same problems if you do.

Message Edited by mombodog on 09-30-2007 10:01 PM

grantrich · Answer

Correct,  I do not have a WXP CD.   My laptop did not arrive with any disks.   Was i supposed to b/u the operating system onto cd after i bought it?   i have a usb hard drive, and can use that.    i am familiar with b/u'ing my data, and do this often.   i have all the needed software disks and codes and can reload.   What 'm trying to do is get my laptop to run faster.  it's been slowing down.  i'm getting more memory installed today.   i was advised to reformat the harddrive but don't have windows xp on disk.   how do i unload wxp from laptop?

mombodog · Answer

Please post your model of Dell.

grantrich · Answer

Dell Inspiron 700m

mombodog · Answer

'Was i supposed to b/u the operating system onto CD after i bought it?'   No, your Laptop should have this feature, when used it restores the Laptop to as shipped condition, but it erases all data on the C partition during the process of restoring it.   http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=DC493DC313321A9BE030A68F27281E82&c=us&l=en&s=gen   If you are backing up, you are good to go for now.

BELL BOY · Answer

Even if your 700m has a working Dell PC Restore by Symantec a.k.a. Dell System Restore (DSR) utility And you use it (procedure here) to restore the OS partition, you should still ask for original OS installation CD, click here Edit: oooooops thought mombodog’s link was to the 700m e-doc manual – ooooohhhhh Message Edited by BELL BOY on 10-01-2007 05:12 PM

Windows General

How to back up operating system?

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