i want to make a back up of my system but i have never done it before. where do i start?

What, just System Restore? If so, go to All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore - Create a Restore Point.

However, System Restore isn't perfect, and if you're playing with the registry (as another one of your posts indicates), I would right click on the subkey you're about to change/delete and select Export, then call it what you want. That way if something goes wrong, you just double click on that back-up and it'll restore that subkey to how it was when you backed it up.

sorry i didnt make this more clear, my bad i want to make a back up on disc.

I am also interested in a reply to this. Preferably with an answer that can be understood by a 5 year old so I have no trouble following the instructions!

sorry i didnt make this more clear, my bad    i want to make a back up on disc.

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LOL! I was thinking exactly the same thing, but didnt want to ask! :hug:

I am also interested in a reply to this. Preferably with an answer that can be understood by a 5 year old so I have no trouble following the instructions!

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oops, meant to quote hazlenut, not mphandler. :cuddle:

lol...no problem. i had a free 30day backup software that came with my laptop when i first bought it but when i opened it up a few days ago it was all jacked up

I'm sure I asked something similar to this, but I can't find the thread.

Anyway, if I remember right, Tarun suggested nlite, but I never got round to doing it.

http://www.nliteos.com/index.html

I think some of the things I would like to know are,

1. can I do it with xp and a dvd or do I need a prog. download.

2. what can I backup, music photos, setup exe's. ?

3. If I manage to make one, how to I put the things back from the disc ( drag and drop? )

Is another ( better alternative?) to use a usb flash drive/memory stick, and keep what I need on there.

I'm sure I asked something similar to this, but I can't find the thread.

Anyway, if I remember right, Tarun suggested nlite, but I never got round to doing it.

http://www.nliteos.com/index.html

That's for making an ISO/CD of Windows, for a clean/fresh install.

You can use XP's lame software to burn cd's or DVDs for data backup; other programs such as EasyCD Creator, Nero's stuff can make data backups.

In my desperate search to get one of the famed "butterflies" to give me an msn live invite, I stumbled across one of microsofts betas which allow you to make selective backups. The beta is called windows onecare live; I never got around to testing its backup capability but the other scans ran smoothly and I recommend you guys to give it a try and tell everyone what you think about it.

In regards to the question at hand, I believe onecare does have backup capabilities but I'm not sure if they're any more improved from the built-in system restore program.

Oh yeah, just adding this on, I know Nero, your favourite burning utility (or at least mine anyways) has a program built in called Nero Backitup which I heard is quite a nifty little program, but once again I myself have never backed up my system, just important files.

Your friend,

Ryan

I am not sure the original question MPHandler asked was answered , but IMHO backup onto a CD , DVD is better ,more room on media , using the backup program that came with WinXP..or another backup software..Nero..ex..

To use the system backup goto:

Start=>programs=>accesories=>system=>backup.

I used this backup on my old Win98 OS and did just fine to backup on my C drive but I never backed up on a CD ...Not sure it will do this....Worth a look though...

However I have Nero on my new system w/WinXP and I will use this as a backup media when the time comes...I would not recommend the System Restore for backup because it only RESTORES to a certain point....and does not actually backup on CD or DVD.......

To use the system backup goto:

Start=>programs=>accesories=>system=>backup.

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it's not there. i do not have backup anywhere. even if i search for "backup wizard"

oh..wish my manufactuer did that for my laptop..meanwhile i should get over my laziness and check out nliteos.com

thanks

i googled some stuff backup up software but i do not know what exactly to look for as far as features go and what not