Tips to Backup Windows XP Home Edition

How to use the Perform a Full Backup feature in Windows XP Home Edition?

To perform a backup, choose Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup to open the Backup Utility.

Remember: If you don’t find Backup listed in System Tools, use this option: double click on the file name ntbackup.exe in the Windows\system32 folder.

You will see a “Backup or Restore Wizard”, click on the “Advanced Mode” link. In the “Backup Utility” dialog box, choose the “Backup” tab and set the checkbox next to the drive to backup (c:) and set the checkbox next to “System State”.

Now you will see a “Backup media or file name” text box, you can enter the path to the file for the backup. Click on the “Start Backup” button.

In the “Backup Job Information” dialog box will appears, set up the radio button next to “Replace the data on the media with this backup”. Click on the “Start Backup”. Now the “backup Progress” dialog box will appear.

Even when you backup to relatively fast media like hard disk, the process can take at least 30 minutes or longer depending upon how much data is on your main computer drive.

Once the backup is complete, turn off the computer and you should remove the data and power cables from the backup drive. You should not leave the backup drive connected because if the cause of a failure is a power spike, it will take out both drives and next time you want to backup you’ll need to reinstall the cables.

Tags: Accessories, Computer, tips, Windows, Windows XP