Backup file compatibility 98 to xp to xq?

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Ellis
  • Start date Start date
D

David Ellis

It was a shock to find the XP restore would not process files created
by the the win98se backup utility. If I use the XP backup utility, am
I going to have the same experience when I convert to the successor
OS? Does Microsoft have a policy on this?
--David
 
Hi David,

There is no solid answer to this. The only answer is: no one knows.

Functionally, WinXP and Win9x are two very different OS's based on entirely
different kernels. The way programs run under them is very different. The
backup utilities are not part of the OS, but rather are extensions of a
third party program from a different provider. All new OS's are being based
on the NT kernel (same as is used on WinXP), so there is a chance that
subsequent OS's may be able to handle the .bkf files made in WinXP, but then
again maybe not.

Fact is, I would recommend that you use a third-party program for most
backups to avoid these scenarios. The downside here is if the backup program
vendor decides not to support their product under the next generation OS,
you may again run into the same problem.

Me, I copy important files to floppy or CD, and do non-OS dependent images
for a system backup. Then it won't matter what OS is in place to recover
lost files.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
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