Backing up XP configuration

[Bodine]

I recently had a hard drive failure and had to reformat and reinstall XP pro on one of my systems. It wasn't that big of a deal, since the only thing on the primary drive was my OS and recordings of TV shows from my PVR card. But it was annoying to have to reinstall all of my apps and reconfigure all of my personal settings.

It would seem there is an easy way to back up my XP configuration, but after more than a little googling I'm coming up blank. Since all of my program files are on D:\, it would seem all I should have to do restore my registry to get my system back to a "snapshot" state after FFRing. Is that all I need to do (backup my registry)? If so, what's the best way?

BTW, I can't really use Ghost or imaging sfw (which I've seen suggested a lot in my searches for a solution) b/c it's a big drive (250GB) to store all the TV recordings. I don't really care about losing the recordings, but do care about having to install 20+ apps and applets, some of which (like the PVR card setup) are a pain to reconfigure.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Phoenix86]

Partition the drive so the OS & apps are on one partition, and the data (movies) are on another. Preferrably, use two different drives. Then use imaging software like has been recommended.

 

[nweaver]

if you use an imaging solution, and take the image after the fresh install/configure (no movies on the drive yet) the image will only be as large as the data, so less the 2GB I would suspect. If you move your movies to another partition, you can restore just the os partition and be back and running, plus you can do images at different times.

SO as a recap, ghost does not make a 250GB image just because the drive is that big, it will be as big as the data (roughly) so delete the unwanted movies before making the image!

 

[Bodine]

Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

 

[nweaver]

Not sure if a reg export would do it, never tried.


A reinstall of OS + apps plus a reg install (risky) would take 3-4 times as long as imaging from a dvd/multiple CD's/Network.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: nweaver
Not sure if a reg export would do it, never tried.


A reinstall of OS + apps plus a reg install (risky) would take 3-4 times as long as imaging from a dvd/multiple CD's/Network.

No, a reg export won't do it. You would want to back up at least c:\windows, the system state, and all files in the root directory, plus anything in c:\program files and c:\docs & sets. You can do all of this from within Ntbackup, included with the OS. Works great, less filling. However, Ghost is an easier solution, with your movie data on another partition.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Bodine
Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

Sure, but while you're at it, want to re-invent this?

Just kidding. There are solutions with backup devices (tape drives) that will let you backup (or in this case exclude) certian folders. I would still consider imaging as it's cheaper/faster/better in this case.

 

[elkinm]

Have you tried the Files and Settings transfer wizard in XP. It is not perfect but it does back up most useful settings as well as any files and is much faster and takes up much less space then a full image or backup.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: elkinm
Have you tried the Files and Settings transfer wizard in XP. It is not perfect but it does back up most useful settings as well as any files and is much faster and takes up much less space then a full image or backup.

..but won't help with the installed (or, in that case, not installed) programs.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Bodine
Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

Sure, but while you're at it, want to re-invent this?

Just kidding. There are solutions with backup devices (tape drives) that will let you backup (or in this case exclude) certian folders. I would still consider imaging as it's cheaper/faster/better in this case.

...or just back up to a hard drive..... (meaning using NT Backup to back up to a file on the hard drive.)

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Bodine
Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

Sure, but while you're at it, want to re-invent this?

Just kidding. There are solutions with backup devices (tape drives) that will let you backup (or in this case exclude) certian folders. I would still consider imaging as it's cheaper/faster/better in this case.

...or just back up to a hard drive..... (meaning using NT Backup to back up to a file on the hard drive.)

*admits ignorance on NTBackup*

Is NTBackup selective in the directories? How does he restore in the case of a reformat, is there a boot disk or something to restore from nothing, or do you need to install windows to restore the backup?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Bodine
Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

Sure, but while you're at it, want to re-invent this?

Just kidding. There are solutions with backup devices (tape drives) that will let you backup (or in this case exclude) certian folders. I would still consider imaging as it's cheaper/faster/better in this case.

...or just back up to a hard drive..... (meaning using NT Backup to back up to a file on the hard drive.)

*admits ignorance on NTBackup*

Is NTBackup selective in the directories? How does he restore in the case of a reformat, is there a boot disk or something to restore from nothing, or do you need to install windows to restore the backup?

It can select directories, files, or entire disks. You need to reinstall Windows. You can run NT Backup just by going to start/run and keying in "ntbackup". If you have Pro, you'll have it already. If you have XP Home, you can copy the required files from your XP Home CDROM.

Reinstall the core OS, then restore from backup. He'll get all of his programs back, all of his registry settings - everything.

He could also use NTBackup's ASR feature to automate and simplify the restoration:
1. Use NTBackup's ASR feature to backup all of C: (yep - all of it; no other choices). You can put your backup media onto any local hard drive or tape media, plus a single floppy disk will be required to write a little bit of backup data.
2. <disaster strikes - system restore is required>
3. Boot from XP CD. Hit F2 about 30 seconds into the boot process when prompted. Insert floppy disk that ASR backup created for you from step #1. Point ASR Restore wizard to backup media. Go away, come back in 2-3 hours, all your data will be restored and OS will be just as you left it when you backed it up.

But Ghosting to a file on another hard drive is easier.

 

[milleron]

Originally posted by: Bodine
Thanks for the replies, but I'm really more interested in backing up my config rather than imaging. 4 -5 GB isn't that much, but surely there's a way to backup the config without imaging, no?

You seem to be looking for an easy way to get your system up and running again in the event of another HD failure if I'm interpreting your question correctly. There is NO EASY WAY to do that other than imaging or comprehensive backups made with programs like Backup My PC or Dantz Retrospect. Imaging would be a BEAR to run with 250GB of saved TV shows on the same drive. The good backup programs would require a tape drive, a second HD, or a DVD burner, but they could backup the system without backing up all the media files. Backing up your registry or even your System State won't do you any good at all in the event that you have to reformat and reinstall. Unless you have a backup image or a backup file stored on separate media from which to restore your system, you're going to have to install Windows and then every bit of software just like you did the last time.

You really need to reformat and repartition so that you can install your operating system and your applications on a partition or logical drive small enough to use imaging software like Ghost or True Image on a regular basis. I've found it much more reliable than backup programs.

Ron

 

[Phoenix86]

dclive, thanks for the info.

With the whole reinstall windows just to be able to restore kinda kills it as a good method (as opposed to ghosting). However it is free...

 

[mdubrow]

dclive, would NTbackup work if you were replacing your hard disk altogether? For example, remove old drive (let's assume that t died), replace with a new drive, format, install XP Pro on new drive, then run NTBackup?

Thanks!

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: mdubrow
dclive, would NTbackup work if you were replacing your hard disk altogether? For example, remove old drive (let's assume that t died), replace with a new drive, format, install XP Pro on new drive, then run NTBackup?

Thanks!

Sure. That's what backup software is made for - drive failure issues just like what you describe. You'd just restore from backup - no problem.

 

[mdubrow]

Thanks. I just wasn't sure how the system would react if some of the hard disk drive parameters had changed.

 

[corkyg]

Just clone your HDD to a duplicate HDD - and if one fails - swith to the other - no restoration need. A simply cable switch. I have three systems, and each has a "reserve" drive - including my laptop. I clone 'em every Saturday.

BTW, partitioning the drive won't help a bit. When a drive fails, all partitions on it fail.

 

[milleron]

Originally posted by: corkyg
BTW, partitioning the drive won't help a bit. When a drive fails, all partitions on it fail.

No, partitioning the original poster's drive was suggested in order to get a logical drive or partition small enough to use drive imaging, with baseline and incrementat backups, efficiently. He started with a 250GB drive, mostly full of old TV shows that he didn't really care about backing up, but that drive would have been slow and terribly inefficient to image on a daily basis. Hence repartitioning was suggested as part of the overall strategy.

Ron

 

[corkyg]

OK, Ron - but if the drive fails (mechanically) how will one access that partition?

 

[milleron]

Well, that's what the imaging is for. If it fails mechanically, you replace it with a new one and then restore the image of the old one.