Windows XP Recovery - To Unload Point

[Chuck001]

I currently have a

Windows XP Media Center Edition

system that I purchased from Dell.

Dell provides me with an XP recovery CD

that, in case of a disaster, will allow

me to restore the system to its original

factory condition.

Note also that Dell does not supply

me with the original Windows installation

CD.

I am looking for something that will allow

me to restore the system to something more

current. I believe that I need procedures

and/or or OEM software that will allow me to:

1. Backup the entire hard drive (i.e. LocalDisk)

to an external USB drive (NTFS Format)

(compression is desirable)

I suspect it must also be capable of unloading

files that Windows thinks are in use.

2. In case of a disaster, restore my

hard drive (i.e. LocalDisk) to the image that

was saved on the external USB drive. This is

a complete restore. I do not want errors

indicating that the file was in use and

could not be restored.

Does anyone have:

-any procedures they can recommend?

-any OEM software recommendations?

-any other suggestions on how to accomplish

my goal?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

[dman]

You could use MS Backup to make an "Automated System Recovery" backup. It is installed by default in XP Pro. It's on the install disk of XP Home but not installed by default. Don't know about media center, or if Dell has bothered to include it on their restore disk.

Else you could use a partition backup program like Symantec Ghost, or the freeware Digital Dolly

[Chuck001]

As I understand it, the problems with MS backup are:

1. It does not backup every file

2. I still have no way to restore the files. Until I have a working system, I cannot access the USB drive. If I have a working system, MS Backup will not restore all the critical files because Windows thinks they are in use.

Is there a way around these shortcommings?

[the-matrix]

I think this may what you need i have not used it myself but people i no have used it with luck

MaxBlast 4

ATA/IDE hard drive

MaxBlast 4 is a one-step, ATA/IDE hard drive installation utility. MaxBlast 4 makes hard drive installations and upgrades hassle-free for novices and professionals alike by automatically identifying, partitioning, and formatting any Maxtor ATA or SATA hard drive, making it data-ready in minutes. MaxBlast 4 replaces all previous versions of MaxBlast and MaxBlast Plus.

Compatible Operating Systems: Windows 2000,Windows 98,Windows Me,Windows XP Home Edition,Windows XP Professional

Creates a bootable MaxBlast 4 installation diskette.

Compatible with Windows 98SE, Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

Breaks the 528 MB, 2.1 GB, 4.2 GB, 8.4 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 137 GB capacity barriers.

Supports both FAT32 and NTFS drive partitions.

Easy to use, Graphical Interface (GUI) with mouse and printer support.

Supports up to four ATA devices in the same system*.

The copy feature lets you make an exact duplicate of your existing hard drive.

Fast ATA and Serial ATA compatible.

The installation tutorial option allows you to view the installation process before physically installing your Maxtor ATA hard drive.

Note: There must be at least one Maxtor ATA Disk Drive installed in the system for MaxBlast 4 to run.

Download the file MAXBLAST4.EXE diskette creator to your Windows Desktop. Note: The MAXBLAST4.EXE file is too large for download to floppy diskettes.

To create the Bootable MaxBlast 4 Floppy Diskette:

After downloading, double click on the MAXBLAST4.EXE diskette creator icon. Insert a new formatted floppy diskette into the A:\ drive.

When the program opens select Continue

http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/m...s&downloadID=57

Edited June 14, 2005 by the-matrix