Re: MS DOS computer startup

"mfabien" <michelfabien@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1165941837.435243.229800@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rock,

I'm looking into Acronis True Image and because I have a lot of room on
my HDD (used 25 GB with 111 GB free, on the 120 GB disk), which I'll
never use, am waiting for an answer from Acronis on how simple or
difficult it is to have their program create a new partition on my HDD
to have the Image berthed taking into consideration that the OEM has
stored a Restore area of 979 MB for Windows (replacing a Windows CD).

Upon receiving the Acronis answer, Iwould expect to download their True
Image 10 Home program.



Rock wrote:
"mfabien" wrote

> Thank you Wesly. The following:
>
> "How to use System files to create a boot disk to guard against being
> unable
> to start Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314079 "
>
> works. I created a floppy from the above and restarted the computer.
> The net effect of the floppy with copies of Boot.ini, Ntldr and
> Ntdetect.com makes Windows XP start as if there was no floppy in the
> drive. It is a seamless start.
>
> I repeat, this exercise is a precaution step only. My Windows XP has
> never failed.
> Now that this is done, should I, as one suggested, get in touch with
> Cicero (computer manufacturer) for a Windows CD rather than relying on
> the files stored on the HDD and recovery done by pressing F9 at
> startup? As far as you know, can recovery, from these files or from the
> CD, repair damaged files, or, is the only recovery essentially a new
> install with complete data loss?


You'll have to check the documentation or talk to the computer
manufacturer's tech support to find out how the recovery process works.
Sometimes it can allow for both non destructive and destructive recovery,
but many times the only option is non destructive. A compressed image of
the drive is stored in the recover partition and for recovery this image is
restored, in essence making the system as it was when it came from the
factory, loosing all data and other installed programs.

It certainly is a good idea, I consider it essential, to have an XP
installation CD, not just a recovery CD or partition. The vendor may or may
not be willing to supply at a cost.

You might also want to look into getting a drive imaging program to backup
the system. These can create a compressed image of the drive which can be
stored on external media such as DVD or even better on an external USB hard
drive. If something bombs the system restore the most recent image.
Restores are usually relatively fast. It's like the recovery partition
discussed above, but one which you update so it's current. I use this style
as my main backup and it has saved me several times. Make an image
regularly and before making and significant system changes.

One such program that does this, and is highly regarded these days is
Acronis True Image.


It isn't of much benefit or protection to keep a backup on the same drive. The purpose of the backup is to protect against failures. If the drive dies you loose the backups as well. Putting them on a second internal drive is a bit better, but still subject to a total system loss. Better yet is to place the backups on removable media. The easiest, if you're not networked, is an external USB hard drive. DVD media is also ok though slower and if the backups are larger than the capacity of one DVD, then it's cumbersome.

The safest is to have redundant backup media with one version stored off site.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: System Recovery?
    ... But Windows ... I went ahead and did a system recovery by pressing F10 before I boot. ... I had two separate user profiles, and there is a folder with my ... Always have a full and complete backup of important data. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: System Recovery?
    ... But Windows ... I went ahead and did a system recovery by pressing F10 before I boot. ... You suffered a malware problem but there are any number of things that can happen which lead to data loss. ... Always have a full and complete backup of important data. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: MS DOS computer startup
    ... I'm looking into Acronis True Image and because I have a lot of room on ... stored a Restore area of 979 MB for Windows. ... As far as you know, can recovery, from these files or from the ... If something bombs the system restore the most recent image. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: systemd
    ... I looked around and found some instructions to repair the error ... Start the recovery console from you Windows setup disk by selecting C, ... this did not work so I had to rely on the backup. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.general)
  • Re: Viewing registry on old drive
    ... >>1) backup completely the current registry using ... >>2) Ensure you have backup copies of the static recovered ... you can try various recovery techniques on the old installation ... > Windows Explorer or Recovery Console, ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.registry)