How to Backup Windows XP Home Edition

Written by Stephen Bucaro


Continued from page 1

Windows XP Home Edition doesn't installrepparttar Backup utility by default. You'll need to install it manually from your Windows XP CD-ROM.

1. After insertingrepparttar 107662 CD-ROM, open Control Panel's "Add or Remove Programs" utility. Inrepparttar 107663 "Add or Remove Programs" utility", click onrepparttar 107664 "Add New Programs" button, then click onrepparttar 107665 "CD or Floppy" button.

2. Inrepparttar 107666 "Run Installation Program" dialog box that appears, navigate torepparttar 107667 VALUEAD/MSFT/NTBACKUP folder onrepparttar 107668 CD-ROM and selectrepparttar 107669 file NTBACKUP.MSI. Click onrepparttar 107670 "Finish" button. The Backup utility will be installed.

Perform a Full Backup

To perform a backup, select Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup to openrepparttar 107671 Backup Utility.

Note: If you don't find Backup listed in System Tools, double click onrepparttar 107672 file name ntbackup.exe inrepparttar 107673 Windowssystem32 folder.

Inrepparttar 107674 "Backup or Restore Wizard", click onrepparttar 107675 "Advanced Mode" link. Inrepparttar 107676 "Backup Utility" dialog box, selectrepparttar 107677 "Backup" tab and setrepparttar 107678 checkbox next torepparttar 107679 drive to backup (c:) and setrepparttar 107680 checkbox next to "System State".

Inrepparttar 107681 "Backup media or file name" text box, enterrepparttar 107682 path torepparttar 107683 file forrepparttar 107684 backup (example E:Backup.bkf). Click onrepparttar 107685 "Start Backup" button.

Inrepparttar 107686 "Backup Job Information" dialog box that appears, setrepparttar 107687 radio button next to "Replacerepparttar 107688 data onrepparttar 107689 media with this backup". Click onrepparttar 107690 "Start Backup" button. The "backup Progress" dialog box will appear.

Even when you backup to relatively fast media like hard disk,repparttar 107691 process can take 30 minutes or longer depending upon how much data is onrepparttar 107692 main drive.

Whenrepparttar 107693 backup is complete, turn offrepparttar 107694 computer and removerepparttar 107695 data and power cables fromrepparttar 107696 backup drive. It doesn't make sense to leaverepparttar 107697 backup drive connected because ifrepparttar 107698 cause of a failure is a power spike, it will take out both drives. Next time you want to backup you'll need to reinstallrepparttar 107699 cables.

How to Perform a Restore

Inrepparttar 107700 unfortunate event that your computer crashes and you can't get it back by any other means, you'll need to reinstall Windows XP fromrepparttar 107701 CD-ROM. (Automated System Recovery is not supported in Windows XP Home Edition.) You'll need to re-installrepparttar 107702 Backup utility. Then you'll need to shut downrepparttar 107703 computer to installrepparttar 107704 data and power cables torepparttar 107705 backup drive. Restartrepparttar 107706 computer and userepparttar 107707 Backup Utility to restore Windows XP fromrepparttar 107708 backup file.

When using this backup method, it's important to be careful not to break any pins when you are removing and installingrepparttar 107709 data cable ofrepparttar 107710 hard drive. And if your computer doesn't use "cable Select", don't forget to changerepparttar 107711 jumper onrepparttar 107712 main hard drive back to "Single".

---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money onrepparttar 107713 Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp ----------------------------------------------------------

To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp


Mr

Written by Olu Odeniyi


Continued from page 1

Some providers only offer email or “web” support. Others don’t offer phone support beyond a certain level of expenditure. The better providers offer web, phone and email support and remote dial in support. It is easy to see why remote dial in support isrepparttar best – an expert is at hand to ensurerepparttar 107661 best possible configuration / trouble shooting.

Make sure you find out whether support costs extra or is included. Some providers do charge extra which can be a way of showing an artificial storage price – support is recommended for all users otherwise your service may be compromised and peace of mind disturbed.

Finally as users are charged forrepparttar 107662 amount of data they are backing up, it is very useful to know how much space you have onrepparttar 107663 server. Providers will automatically move users torepparttar 107664 next charging level so keeping in contact withrepparttar 107665 amount of data stored at will helps users manage their accounts. Doesrepparttar 107666 provider you’re considering offer this facility?

Contract – how long are you tied in for? As with all subscription based services, users will either be tied in for a minimum period or will be able to cancel with one months notice. Not much more to be said than make sure you have readrepparttar 107667 small print and understandrepparttar 107668 terms and conditions.

If you are not happy withrepparttar 107669 service or your situation changes do you really want to be tied in for 12 months?

Incremental backup This feature is also essential and most providers offer it. However, not all providers offerrepparttar 107670 latest Fast Binary Incremental Technology (FastBIT) for incremental backup. Using FastBIT will ensure you receive a highly efficient service rather than a clunky inaccurate operation.

Being able to configure howrepparttar 107671 FastBIT incremental backup operates is also highly desirable. Flexibility is key for tailoringrepparttar 107672 service to your requirements.

Retrieving Several File Histories This feature really separates professional from low end services –repparttar 107673 ability to retrieve a file from a previous backup session which you no longer have on your PC/laptop/server.

For example, suppose you create a file called “joe.doc” and save it on day 1. You then make changes on day 2, day 3 and day 4 – each time savingrepparttar 107674 file under its original name. A professional service offering multiple file history retrieval will enable users to recovery copies of joe.doc as saved on day 1, day 2 up to and including day 4. As a large amount of data is deleted accidentally or corrupted by viruses etc this feature is extremely useful for ensuring maximum protection and minimum disruption.

Do be careful of providers who store file histories for long periods in order to charge more for storage. Each file history takes up a finite amount of storage –repparttar 107675 more you storerepparttar 107676 more storage used,repparttar 107677 more you pay. Fourteen days is a good compromise. A good provider will enable this figure to be tailored to individual needs.

Web Based Restore This feature allows users to restore their data from any computer connected torepparttar 107678 internet inrepparttar 107679 world. It has proved to be very popular for travellers and those who work from home or various different offices.

Web based restore works by downloading users data after correct entry of username and password. It’s that simple. A group of users or a department can share an account and hold common files in one place with common access.

Others have used web based restore to transfer data from one place to another without copying onto more risky media such as CD/DVD/etc.

Some providers don’t offer web based restore at all while other charge extra. Make sure you know what you are / aren’t getting atrepparttar 107680 outset and any additional costs for web based restore.

Encryption Encryption is performed on all your data before it leaves your PC/server/laptop. Encryption is pretty standard although some services don’t offerrepparttar 107681 highest level of encryption at 448 bits.

Back Office Storage Centre You won’t normally get to seerepparttar 107682 back office but you should ask where it is and be confident that physical security as well as multiple storage industry standard disks are being used. The chances are thatrepparttar 107683 back office is an order of magnitude less likely to suffer loss than your own PC/laptop/server.

Also ensure that size ofrepparttar 107684 data link intorepparttar 107685 server isn’t going to be a bottle neck. This shouldn't be an issue but it is always worth checking.

An acceptable back office will be equipped with uninterruptible power supplies and environmental control mechanisms such as temperature and humidity etc.

CD / DVD Archiving Archiving is an additional service which enables CD / DVD copies of your data to be mailed to you. Many users who have web based restore don’t need to use CD / DVD archiving or they can producerepparttar 107686 CD/DVD themselves. This service is normally always an additional cost – around £15 - £20 forrepparttar 107687 first CD. Subsequent CDs should be a few pounds less.

Hope this comprehensive article is of use. Whilst “good value” and “bad value” services always exist, inrepparttar 107688 end you’ll probably get what you pay for. The purpose of online data backup is to offer a higher level of security for your data than traditional CD/DVD/Tapes/etc – without which you, your business or your customers might suffer. This article aims to ensure you are a little more aware of what to look for if and when choosing such a service. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

Best wishes,

Olu Odeniyi

www.newprospect-bs.com




Olu Odeniyi is a business leader and strategist who has gained acute technical and commercial experience working with blue chips and smaller companies. Having exceeded objectives working for companies such as British Aerospace and Nortel Networks, Olu has consistently demonstrated his tenacity for achieving results in applying technology to real world problems.




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