Hard Drive Failure -- System Backup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scott
  • Start date Start date
S

Scott

Since Dell is not willing to provide even minimal
assistance ... I am hoping that this group can provide
some:

My hard drive is going to be replaced tommorrow (maybe)
and I need to get the neccessary data/system files
tranferred. I assume that this has been posted before so
any assistance will be appreciated. In general:

1) Is there an easy way to backup the files created within
the last year?

2) How do I restore the files from #1?

3) How do I permanently delete this information from the
old harddrive?

Thanks for your help,

Scott
 
1. Create a new folder on your Desktop and name it.
2. Open XP's Files and Setting Transfer Wizard
3. Select "Old Computer"
4. Select "Other" and Browse to the Desktop folder you created
5. The Wizard will create a file in the folder. The file is named "USMT2.UNC"
6. Record the "USMT2.UNC" file to a CD
7. After you have installed XP and your programs, open the
Files & Settings Transfer Wizard and select "New Computer"
8. Select "I don't need the Wizard Disk......"
9. Browse to your CD Drive and insert the CD containing the "USMT2.UNC" file.
10. Your Files and Settings will begin installing on the new drive.


Visit www.iolo.com and download the free 30 trial version
of DriveScrubber....it works great!


--
Nicholas

------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Since Dell is not willing to provide even minimal
| assistance ... I am hoping that this group can provide
| some:
|
| My hard drive is going to be replaced tommorrow (maybe)
| and I need to get the neccessary data/system files
| tranferred. I assume that this has been posted before so
| any assistance will be appreciated. In general:
|
| 1) Is there an easy way to backup the files created within
| the last year?
|
| 2) How do I restore the files from #1?
|
| 3) How do I permanently delete this information from the
| old harddrive?
|
| Thanks for your help,
|
| Scott
 
scott,

my first computer was a dell computer. my son brought

home a computer virus after i had the dell running for one week.

i called dell and explained my problem. the next tuesday a dell

service technician knocked on my door and he brought me

a new hard drive.

.... but the hard drive was not empty. dell had loaded all the

programs on the new hard drive that my computer was delivered with

so i was a dell convert ... and i still am convinced that dell

computers are the way for a new user to go.

when i learned that i wanted certain components on my next

computer i went to a local company which built my new computer

to meet my requirements. ... so you might ask dell if the new hard drive

will be delivered with any software pre-installed ... then your concerns

may be answered ...

good luck

stafford collinsworth
 
1) Is there an easy way to backup the files created within
the last year?

Which version of XP do you have if you are using Pro then the backup program
in the accessories menu will help. If you are using HE then you must install
it.

If you have a burning program then copy the files to a cdr.

Another way is the files transfer wizard.

2) How do I restore the files from #1?

Again if you are using the built in backup utility then the restore option.
Transfer or copy the files from the cdr to the new hard drive.

3) How do I permanently delete this information from the
old harddrive?

The ONLY way to permanently delete files from any hard drive is to destroy
it and do not let anybody tell you different. Even if you delete, fdisk and
format there will be remnants of some files on the drive and if someone
really wants to retrieve your important stuff a pro can do it.

but if you are not paranoid a simple format will do for home use.
 
Thanks to all for the advise. When using the transfer
wizard -- is there a way to minimize the file types (and
know which ones to transfer)? It appears to be copying
most of the hard drive for a total of approx. 950 MB which
exceeds the capacity of the CD.

Is there any downside to copying the same file to another
computer on the network?

---
Stafford - thanks for the advice after speaking to two
supervisors - Dell finally agreed. The pain is all of the
data/programs loaded and updated since the original
purchase.


Scott
 
Thanks to all for the advise. When using the transfer
wizard -- is there a way to minimize the file types (and
know which ones to transfer)? It appears to be copying
most of the hard drive for a total of approx. 950 MB which
exceeds the capacity of the CD.

Is there any downside to copying the same file to another
computer on the network?

---
Stafford - thanks for the advice after speaking to two
supervisors - Dell finally agreed. The pain is all of the
data/programs loaded and updated since the original
purchase.


Scott
Click to expand...

When running the FAST wizard, you reach a screen where you can choose
exactly what is and what isn't placed in the FAST archive. You can run
this tool several times, choosing different items each time through.
This will create smaller files that will be more likely to fit on your
CDRs or CDRWs. To restore, you will of course have to run the FAST tool
multiple times too. Each time restoring from a different disk to the
same account.

Here's the URL to FAST reference written by MVP Gary Woodruff that you
might find useful: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

Sharon F
MS MVP [Shell/User]
 
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