Backing up a Windows XP partition.

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Is there a way to make a full backup of a partition with Windows XP installed
on it. I have tried to "Select All Files" and copied all files/folders onto
an external hard drive, but the copy is never completed. I always get some
error message that some file is in use or inaccessible and the whole copy
process is cancelled. I don't even get an option there to skip that file and
continiue, the whole process is stoped. I have treid to do this in fail-safe
mode and I get the same result. I would like to make a 100% copy without any
error messages, or that it just skipes the files that it cannot copy without
cancelling the entire process.
 
If you want everything as-is for the day all hell breaks loose, then you should use an imaging/backup application susch as:
Norton Ghost.
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/ghost_personal/

Acronis TrueImage
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/choose-trueimage/


If you don't care for imaging which IMO is the only way to fly, you could try Stomps PC Backup (formerly Backup MyPC):
http://www.stompsoft.com/prod_page.html



--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
nugen said:
Is there a way to make a full backup of a partition with Windows XP installed
on it. I have tried to "Select All Files" and copied all files/folders onto
an external hard drive, but the copy is never completed. I always get some
error message that some file is in use or inaccessible and the whole copy
process is cancelled. I don't even get an option there to skip that file and
continiue, the whole process is stoped. I have treid to do this in fail-safe
mode and I get the same result. I would like to make a 100% copy without any
error messages, or that it just skipes the files that it cannot copy without
cancelling the entire process.
Click to expand...

Further to using one of the imaging products suggested
by the other respondents, you could also boot your
machine with a Bart PE CD, then perform the copy
process from there.
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/#download
Note that making such a CD takes a few hours.
 
nugen said:
Is there a way to make a full backup of a partition with
Windows XP installed on it. I have tried to "Select All
Files" and copied all files/folders onto an external hard
drive, but the copy is never completed. I always get some
error message that some file is in use or inaccessible and
the whole copy process is cancelled. I don't even get an
option there to skip that file and continiue, the whole
process is stoped. I have treid to do this in fail-safe
mode and I get the same result. I would like to make a 100%
copy without any error messages, or that it just skipes the
files that it cannot copy without cancelling the entire
process.
Click to expand...

NTBackup will do that for you and you already have it. On the
Pro version it's already installed, on the Home Edition it's not
installed by default so you have to install it separately.

It uses "shadow copy" so it can back up the files in use and that
are denied by a regular copy process.

Or, if you have the cash, some of the other programs already
mentioned might be easier to use but NTBackup will work fine for
you. I use NTBackup to backup my system partition and Winzip10's
batch jobs to backup the rest of the data partitions and drives.
Usually a "ghosting" program is best for backups, but not
necessarily required.
I had to repartition/format two weeks ago: All went
flawlessly with the exceptio of a corrupted Favorites file which
I had also backed up elsewhere anyway.

HTH,
Pop
 
POP said:
NTBackup will do that for you and you already have it. On the
Pro version it's already installed, on the Home Edition it's not
installed by default so you have to install it separately.

It uses "shadow copy" so it can back up the files in use and that
are denied by a regular copy process.

Or, if you have the cash, some of the other programs already
mentioned might be easier to use but NTBackup will work fine for
you. I use NTBackup to backup my system partition and Winzip10's
batch jobs to backup the rest of the data partitions and drives.
Usually a "ghosting" program is best for backups, but not
necessarily required.
I had to repartition/format two weeks ago: All went
flawlessly with the exceptio of a corrupted Favorites file which
I had also backed up elsewhere anyway.

HTH,
Pop
Click to expand...

Perhaps you could tell the OP how you restored your system
partition after repartitioning. It is well-known that you cannot
use ntbackup.exe for restoration unless you have a functioning
installation of Windows. A repartitioned disk has nothing.
 
my computer starts to boot and goes blank, i tried reboot installation from
floppy disk but at the last installation nothing happens.

what can i do to fix the problem?
 
my computer starts to boot and goes blank, i tried reboot installation
from
floppy disk but at the last installation nothing happens.

what can i do to fix the problem?
Click to expand...

You need to provide more information about the original problem and what you
tried. Where does it go blank in the boot up process? What changes were
made to the system right before the problem started such as hardware or
software? Did you try safe mode or any of the other options on the Advanced
Options menu? What reboot installation from a floppy disk? XP's CD is
bootable and installations are done after booting from that.

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Northerntravel.net and Northerntravel.co.uk is a premier online travel
planning and flight-booking site. You are able to purchase airline tickets
onlinen, find vacation package and make hotel and car reservations, find
maps, destination information, travel news and more. Don't forget to use
discount code 149395. We can also be reached by calling either 800-780-5733
in the U.S. and Canada or 00-800-11-20-11-40 in Europe.
 
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