Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?


"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eRw2uUQHJHA.3668@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Carrie wrote:
"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e$$uimOHJHA.1304@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've changed your post format to plain text (not HTML) format, which is
customary for newsgroups, Carrie (it's an option in OE). I had a
couple
of suggestions:

Oh, it says rich text (html) in the format?
I didn't set it that way on purpose. Usually if I click to reply
to
a post that's in that mine tries to respond the same and a box comes up
asking if I want to send it that way and I click NO and it changes back
to
plain text.
So, if it got sent in html (rich text) I have no idea why.

Well, just make sure it's only set that way for the OE News option (you
probably won't want it that way (plain text) for the Mail option).


1) You can get Acronis True Image (ATI) to make partition backups (using
imaging) to another drive, as an excellent system backup (or restore)
plan. Much better than simply using CDs or DVDs, I feel (plus it has
nearly unlimited space, and is much faster)

And if you buy this (ATI) in the package, it already comes on a bootable
CD, which can be handy sometimes.

2) In addition to using System Restore (if needed), you can also use a
freebie program called ERUNT, that backs up (or restores) the registry -
it works just like scanreg /restore did in Windows98.

3) If your Dell is like some other Dells, as a last recourse, there is
always the fallback option of using the Dell System Restore option to
roll
the entire system back to the state it was in when the computer was
shipped, but this is a pretty drastic restoration method (you'll lose
everything added since). (It's hidden on your hard drive in a hidden
partition, and can be invoked at boot up by hitting the right keys).

I thought here was something like this, but I didn't know where it was
or
how to find it.
With the WIN 98 ones I've had I either used a boot up floppy or restore
CD.
When I got this Dell, I had a floppy drive put in and have never used
it
(LOL) I thought I could go over my old floppies and save stuff, put it on
CDs but they don't seem to pick up or open in this.

On my Dell desktop computer, if I boot up while pressing the Ctrl-F11
keys, that option appears. But again, it's last resort measure, as
you'll lose everything added since the factory shipped it. You can
check and see if it's there, just don't go through with it!

Thanks
I know, it's a last resort meature. One of my previous ones (HP Brio) had
Win 98 SE and one time I restored it, and things wouldn't set up right
(drivers, etc) so I did it several times over a few days.
It finally came on right (I know, another time and other problems)
I was so used to 98, and went from that (well 98SE) to XP I haven't paid
much attention to this, unless something doesn't seem right, like recently
with the modem not working.
With 98 you could remove I.E. and get an option to repair it, I don't think
they have this now in XP?
Most of the time I just leave it alone and hope it takes care of itself,
and most of the time it does (LOL)





"Carrie" <starchild@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OlhzhjMHJHA.4564@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Just spent the last few days getting an error message on dialup (I wrote
about in another post, resolved by putting in a new modem) but got me to
thinking...
When I got my DELL XPS 400 (has Win XP "media edition" I think is
"professional"?) I didn't get a restore or backup WIN cd with it.
Apparently they stopped giving them with it, and said you don't need it,
the restore files are built in.
After having the problem with error message, involving a system file
(though replacing the modem fixed it, the file involved was in drivers
IN
the system files) I'm wondering if and how I can save the system files?
I had tried this before, the folder i386. It's too big for a cd so I
saved
it on a DVD.
But, the past few days when I got the error message, I dragged it from
the
dvd and replaced it and nothing changed (okay, I know, I needed a new
modem but I didn't realize that then, I was trying everything)
My question is, I have the folder with i386 saved on a DVD, is this
something I could use to replace files at some time in the future?
When I had WIN 98 (I actually got so I knew a little bit about) there
was
a scan one could do, showing if any of the window files were bad and
needing replacing. If so, you could put in the WIN 98 cd and point it
and
it would fix it. Or, go online and find the file as a download and
replace
it. There were also system files on the harddrive (Cab files?) I
remember
learning on a computer help board how to reinstal Windows (98) throught
the cab files and not the restore CD (which was faster, and you didn't
lose your program files, etc)
Anyway, is there something I can do, to make sure I have needed WIN XP
files I might need? Is the folder I have saved (i386) enough? Should it
be
saved as a folder (which is what I have) or openned up and saved on a
DVD
that way? Is there a scan I can do that checks the WIN XP files on my
computer, and if any are bad/missing I could use the DVD to replace them
(or find them somewhere as a download online)?
Hope my question(s) make sense, I'm not always sure I really know
what
I want or mean (LOL)
In a way it amazes me that I can even "talk" computer.
I was thinking of contacting Dell and asking if I could buy a restore
CD for Win XP (my computer) but I know someone who tried to get a part
(a
fan) for her computer from them, and they wouldn't sell itto her because
her guarantee/warrenty had run out and she'd have to renew that before
they'd sell her a part.
If I can make a backup DVD ( cds are apparently too small) of my
system
while it is working, that might be the same?

Thanks,
Carrie




.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?
    ... as an excellent system backup (or restore) ... If your Dell is like some other Dells, as a last recourse, there is ... the system files) I'm wondering if and how I can save the system files? ... it on a DVD. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?
    ... I didn't get a restore or backup WIN cd with it. ... the system files) I'm wondering if and how I can save the system files? ... the folder i386. ... saved it on a DVD. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?
    ... One of my daughers got a Dell computer a year before me and got a CD with it. ... Most image backup software also allows you to extract a file or folder back to your Windows partition. ... After having the problem with error message, involving a system file (though replacing the modem fixed it, the file involved was in drivers IN the system files) I'm wondering if and how I can save the system files? ... It's too big for a cd so I saved it on a DVD. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?
    ... but one of my daughters has a Dell and they wouldn't sell ... You can use "Image Backup" software to make a complete backup of your ... DVD drive as the ... (Trial does not allow you to create a Bootable Restore CD AFAK) ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can I save my system files on a DVD?
    ... Dell is not perfect, but you generally get more PC for the money from them. ... You can use "Image Backup" software to make a complete backup of your Windows partition (usually the ... saved to a DVD or optionally during the Image backup you can specify the DVD drive as the ... (Trial does not allow you to create a Bootable Restore CD AFAK) ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
Loading