Windows Backup I have Windows XP and I am trying to backup my system, but when I go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools I don't see ''backup'' or ''backup wizard.'' Can you tell me if there is another way to backup my system?

Determine how much space you need.

The first step in backing up your hard drive is to figure out how much space you will need to back up all of your files.

You can do this in a couple of ways.

Find out how large the hard drive is on your computer first to see if you can back up the whole thing. Click on "My Computer," right-click the "C" drive and select "Properties."

This shows the approximate size of your hard drive, how much space is actually taken, plus the space used by your operating system.

If your hard drive size is manageable (the space actually taken), back up the whole thing.

Your second option is to create a file called "Backup" and copy all of your important files into it.

Right-click on the folder once everything is copied over and choose "Properties" to find out the size of the folder.

This is how much space you will need to back up your important files only.

Choose a backup method. Choose either an external hard drive, data disks (CDs, for example) or use an online backup service.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all.

An external drive is convenient because you can plug it into other computers and immediately transfer or copy files without needing the Internet or having to worry at all about security.

However you have to carry the drive with you and always face the remote possibility that both your computer and the hard drive would break.

Data disks provide the same advantages and disadvantages as external hard drives: portability, but the possibility of theft or breakage.

You can also use an online backup service.

These services range in price depending on the amount of storage.

The advantage of an online service is that you can access your files from anywhere there is Internet, and it is generally cheaper, especially for small amounts of service.

Also, you don't need to carry or store another piece of equipment.

The disadvantage is your backup is stored on the service's external server, so security is a potential issue.

Back up your files. Once you have chosen your method of backup, do not forget the most important step: back up your files.

For external media, go into "My Computer" and double-click the "C" drive to open it.

Select all the files if backing up your entire hard drive, or select your "Backup" folder if just backing up your important files.

Holding your "CTRL" key, drag your selected files to your back up source, either your external hard drive or data disk drive.

Release your mouse button and "CTRL" key and allow the files to be copied onto your backup media.

or

click start control panel system security tab in that back up my computer in windows7or click start all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp

depending which operating sytem you are using this may vary
click start control panel you should see system security tab in that back up then windows will ask for a back up DESTINATION location you can select either dvd or another device in windows7

click start all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp after the back up finishes windows will tell you your computer back up was successfull also you could right click on the back up file select properties this will tell you how many GB were used

hope this helps

http://download.cnet.com/easeus-todo-backup-free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html

Its Disk Cloning feature will help you migrate your operating system and data to a new hard disk when it's time to replace the old one

1. Back up your PC. It's essential to perform regular backups of your PC, particularly if you'll be using utilities and tools that make software changes. Unfortunately, Windows XP Home Edition doesn't come with a backup utility. See Utilities To Back Up Your Data for downloads that will do the job. The built-in backup utility in Windows XP Pro is more robust than earlier versions, but it won't back up to a CD-R. It does work with CD-RWs, hard drives, and removable storage.
Log in to XP Pro with Administrator privileges, select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Backup. Step through the various dialog boxes and follow all directions. In the 'What to Back Up' dialog box, choose the All information on this computer option if you haven't done a backup before. This will create a floppy that you can use to boot your PC and to restore the backup after a crash.
2. Check hard drives for errors. It's wise to do a thorough check on the status of your hard drives occasionally. Go to Start, My Computer, right-click the icon for your C: drive, and choose Properties. Then choose the Tools tab and click the Check Now button. Repeat this step for your other hard drives.
Applications and files must be closed in order for error checking to fix the problems it finds, so XP will often report that the disk check will run the next time you restart your system if you've checked 'Automatically fix file system errors' on the next screen.
Note: Finding and recovering bad sectors can take hours if you have a large drive.
3. Defragment hard drives. The more you use your PC, the more some files become broken into disparate parts scattered around your hard drive. Defragmenting rearranges each file's pieces into a single continuous block for faster access.
You'll need to be logged in as the Administrator to run XP's Disk Defragmenter. First select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Highlight the drive that you want to check, and press the Analyze button. XP will tell you whether the drive needs to be defragmented. If XP does recommend defragging, click the Defragment button.
4. Sack any spyware. A free program like Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware can get rid of any freeloading spyware that makes its way onto your system.
5. Clean out unneeded files. Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup, and select the drive you want to clean. XP will analyze your files and show a list of which ones can be removed. Check the boxes next to the categories you want to discard.
The More Options tab offers you several more cleanup choices. The System Restore cleanup option, in particular, can clear lots of disk space by erasing old restore points.
6. Back up again. Once you've finished tweaking your system and you're sure that everything is running well, it's a good idea to back up everything once again. That way, you'll always have a clean, fully optimized starting point that you can return to in case a disaster befalls your system.
Any doubts you can contact a technician through the website

www.thebestpcdoctor.com

Toll Free: 877 407 8229

click start control panel system security tab in that back up my computer in windows7or click start all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp
depending which operating sytem you are using this may vary click start control panel you should see system security tab in that back up then windows will ask for a back up DESTINATION location you can select either dvd or another device in windows7or all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp after the back up finishes windows will tell you your computer back up was successfull also you could right click on the back up file select properties this will tell you how many GB were used
hope this helps

depending on your operating system this may vary click start control panel you should see system security tab in that back up then windows will ask for a back up DESTINATION location you can select either dvd or another device in windows7or all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp after the back up finishes windows will tell you your computer back up was successfull also you could right click on the back up file select properties this will tell you how many GB were used
click start control panel system security tab in that back up my computer in windows7or click start all programs accessories system tools you should see back up in xp
hope this helps

If you already are running XP with SP2 you do not need to reformat, just download and install SP3.

You can format it directly from Windows XP going in My computer then right click on your drive icon and hit format. Don't change anything in the fields but put a check in quick format.

For your backup needs, Acronis are making very good data management softwares.

Use this free program to help you to backup your computer.
http://download.cnet.com/Paragon-Backup-amp-Recovery-Free-Advanced-Edition/3000-2242_4-10972187.html?tag=mncol

There is a Backup in XP but its well hidden - go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and you will find it there. If not, it may not have been installed when XP was loaded on your system.

If you want to try something else, Google on " Free backup programs" - that should turn a few up.

Try starting in safe mode (press f8 on start up) once in safe mode use system restore to restore your operating system to a earlier point.
For XP
Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
For Vista
Start - all programs - maintenance - backup and restore center

there is no recorvery disc comes under with windows xp cd. you can restore the data while you are using the windows xp, go to start menu, programs,accessories and system tools and system restore and there you can the date which the system is take the backup by the date. there date is highligted and click the data and restore the data for the go to the previous install and you have no data which you are saved before the date which you are giving to backup