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Help backup and restore user data on WinXP

post #1 of 8
12/5/05 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 
Help!

I need to save all user data and settings on WinXP,
re-initialize the hard disk and restore.
Network is not working at all.

Which is the easiest / most convenient way of doing this?

This pc has a problem with the network which I can not solve
http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=116832

I called the manufacturer and the only thing they recommend
is re-initializing the hard disk.

I have 4 users and about 10Gig of data, projects. etc. on it.

The options I think I have are

(a) put the data on a set of CDs

(b) connect an external USB hard disk and save on that

Is there any other option?

I have another pc with WinXP running available.

Any way of saving data on that pc, say using
usb cables and an usb hub?

What exactly should I save? Especially for user settings?
If I connect an external disk, should I do a xcopy from C:\
then how do I restore?
all files that are not on the newly imaged disk?

Is there a tool built into XP for doing this?

Thanks for your help.
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post #2 of 8
12/5/05 at 7:17pm
You can use Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost to save all the data and settings
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post #3 of 8
12/5/05 at 7:35pm
Fastest, cheapest way: take out the funky hard drive, put it into your other box. Download a copy of Ghost For Unix (google for g4u), it's a great open source for cloning that's based on NetBSD. It runs off a floppy (if you don't have a floppy drive, I think there's also an ISO floating around the net too). Image over to another drive.

Good luck

P
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post #4 of 8
12/5/05 at 10:16pm
How big is the hardrive?

If its big enough, u can partition the drive, create an image of the drive as it is (for safe keeping, even move it onto an external drive until u r certain you don't need to keep it around anymore, don't worry, they are compressed heavily), anyway, then copy the user data onto one partition, re-install WinXP on the original partition and then move your data over to the new Win XP install.

You have a lot of options. If u give us more info on your setup, what kind of data you are trying to salvage etc., I'm certain we can sculpt a very maneageable and easy recovery process for you.

Cheers.
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post #5 of 8
12/5/05 at 10:24pm
Btw, Windows XP has a files and settings import/export wizard that does a pretty decent job of moving files and all different user settings etc.
Its under Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools.
and if you work with MS Office, that suite also has a wizard just for MS Office files and settings. Its available in MS Office XP and Office 2003, not sure about the earlier versions though.
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post #6 of 8
12/5/05 at 11:09pm
Second on Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Saves most everything, except executables.
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post #7 of 8
12/6/05 at 1:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions !

It is an Averatec C3500, a tablet pc with 60 GB disk.

The machine is still under warranty, so I don't want to take out the hard disk.
The machine came with a set of 3 CDs which will only do a full system
reset back to factory settings, I don't have the Windows XP Tablet PC edition CD set.

I am not sure whether a full disk backup is what I should do.
Something is wrong in some OS file or setting, so probably
restoring the hard disk may not solve the problem.

I think I'll try the transfer wizards, save things on
CDs or an external usb disk, then reset the OS, re-install the Office
etc.

Any other ideas?

Thanks again.
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post #8 of 8
12/6/05 at 10:47am
Get Partition Magic or Acronis and partition your drive into 2 partitions 30gb each. Run the wizards and save the resultant files and any other data files that the wizards don't capture on the new empty partition u just created.
When I suggested a drive backup, it wasn't for restoring your drive, it was insurance in case you forget to copy something after you wipe out your drive.
You can restore individual files from a full drive backup, its not an all or nothing type deal .
But anyway, this way you won't need to use an external drive.

Then like I said earlier just run your restore cds on the main partition to restore your lappy to out of box condition and then move all your files and settings back to the main partition and delete the new oartition or just leave you data files on the new partition (makes it easier to manage and sync file sbetween your laptop and your desktop or work computer etc.

Cheers.
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