Backup essenstial data

[neillsmob]

Can someone pleez tell me how to backup my data on win XP home as i dont now how to do it, and i now how important it is.thx for any response.

[Siliconjunkie]

By backup data do you mean your profile information (My Documents/Desktop/Email) Or do you mean application data?

You can try installing the Windows backup off of the XP CD:
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/e.../kellyxp02.asp

I use a 3rd party program: http://www.genie-soft.com/products/gbm/default.html

[osprey4]

Backing up essential data is not important.

Until your hard drive crashes, then it's really important. Of course, then it's too late.

What I do is try to keep all my important stuff in the My Documents folder. Then I use my CD burning software to make a copy of that directory about once per week.

[neillsmob]

Is that were you keep your MS updates,or do you keep them in your Doc's as well,and how do you backup all the drivers and such.thx in advance. :-)

[Siliconjunkie]

It really isnt worth backing up data like MS Updates because you can always get them again. You want to back up things that you cant replace easily.

[Peter M]

Since XP Home doesn't have Disaster Recovery, backing up the system installation makes little to no sense.

Stupid as it is, many many applications keep user configuration and even user data in their program directories - so unlike on Linux, where backing up /home/ gets all the user data, you'll end up having to collect your stuff from many places.

For those doing real backups with tape drives and the likes, the XP Home installation CD has the NTBACKUP.EXE application well hidden somewhere.

[SPEEDO]

I use ghost 2003 and back up everything on my hard drive once a week to CD's....

[neillsmob]

thx for all the response guys,so what your saying if the (HD) failed, I could get the config and user data from some of the programs installed on my computer :-(

[neillsmob]

Speedo can you use ghost 2003 with XP home