Backup only windows files
I thought True Image could back up only Windows. I wanted to make a backup of only Windows XP files and configs including all Windows updates. Is there a way to do this?
Thank You Scott
Reason I wanted only Windows XP with updates as a backup is if I have hard drive crash I will still be able to use XP after MS stops supporting XP updates. Also every year or so I like to reformat. Would be nice to start clean by restoring Windows XP without having to reinstall, redownload updates and reconfigure.
Guess I can do that next time I reformat, then do a True Image disk backup after reinstalling XP and updates.
What you really want is to make an XP install CD that includes the updates, at least SP3. You can "slipstream" sp3 onto a fresh install CD. You can google for directions -- might seem complicated but just go step by step and it's a breeze. Basically you need your origianl install CD, the sp3 update, a fresh CD, and the directions.
IF you don't have an install CD for XP and your XP came on your PC, then it very very likekly isn't transferrable to another PC anyway since OEM licenses usually limit the instance of XP to just the one machine. So in that case, not having an install CD doesn't matter as the XP isn't going to run on another machine anyway.
I like to make a backup of a new PC as soon as I get it set up so I can, if for any reason I need to, go back to the original setup and start over. Never used one of those "first" backups, but I still make them. I've restored lots of times but I always want as recent a backup as I have on hand.
By the time MS stops supporting XP you'll probably want to upgrade to a newer OS, whether MS, linux or Apple. The advances in security and other features will leave XP looking rather archaic.
There are always programs that work fine for my purposes on an existing OS. I update to an OS with bells and whistles I do not need and a changing interface that I have to learn and adjust to then there are problems with programs, games or peripherals that worked fine before. Want to make sure when I do update to Windows 7 that I have a backup of XP with updates that I can run if needed. First thing I set on an "updated" OS is for performance. If I wanted "fancy" I would hire an interior decorator. If the OS does what I need why do I keep updating to the next OS? Guess would be nice to be able to use all 6gb of ram. Thanks again Scott.
Barry Kane.
You may want to dual boot XP and Win 7. See http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=1728&tag=nl.e064. I did this before moving completely to Win 7.
Saved the dual boot instruction link to my favs. That is what I want to do when I am ready to install Win7. Thank You thomasjk.
lol, a argument for sticking with DOS there. ;)
Just kidding, use what suits you, but the improvements in OSs is not just comestic or bells and whistles. XP was a real improvement in many ways over prior Windows and W7 (Vista fixed) a step up, especially in security features. Saying if it works, don't fix it, if one means by that, don't ever change, then that commits one to no improvement. Some folks don't want improvement and that's fine for them. Most of us come along sooner or later -- there is so much room for imporvement in software, it often pays to keep an eye on progress, as well as trying to avoid all the bad turns in the road.
There are always programs that work fine for my purposes on an existing OS. I update to an OS with bells and whistles I do not need and a changing interface that I have to learn and adjust to then there are problems with programs, games or peripherals that worked fine before. Want to make sure when I do update to Windows 7 that I have a backup of XP with updates that I can run if needed. First thing I set on an "updated" OS is for performance. If I wanted "fancy" I would hire an interior decorator. If the OS does what I need why do I keep updating to the next OS? Guess would be nice to be able to use all 6gb of ram. Thanks again Scott.