Backing up complete system in XP

[bigseb]

I know this is a Windows 7 forum but perhaps someone here can help. My wife has given me permission to use her laptop to experiment with Ubuntu and Ubuntu variations on the condition that when she gets it back it will exactly as she left it. So... is there a way to back up the entire OS with installed programs, settings, personal files, etc? I know about dualbooting but in case something goes awry it would be handy to just be able to pop in a disc(s) and replace everything where it was. Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My wife has given me permission to use her laptop to experiment with Ubuntu and Ubuntu variations on the condition that when she gets it back it will exactly as she left it. So... is there a way to back up the entire OS with installed programs, settings, personal files, etc?

Yes. It's called "imaging".

You can do it with Windows 7 built-in imaging or with other applications such as Macrium Reflect Free Edition, Acronis True Image, or EaseUS Todo Backup Free.

You need to store the image file somewhere other than the C drive--typically to an external drive. After you make the image, you can later "restore" it, which returns the system to the state it was in on at the time the image was made.

It works pretty well, but isn't foolproof. You are best advised to make a separate backup of your wife's data files.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Second the recommendation for Macrium Reflect. Have used that personally for years and never had it fail me.

They have a free version you can download. Be sure to use the option to create a Linux boot CD. That way, when you go to restore, simply hook up the hard drive with the backups, boot from the CD, run the restore -- and the PC will be back to the state it was when you made the backup.

 

[bigseb]

Cool. Will it work on XP Pro too?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Cool. Will it work on XP Pro too?

I'd certainly think so--never heard that it wouldn't.

Mark Phelps is right about the Linux recovery disc. You can't restore the image without it. You make the Linux disc within Macrium. Be sure to test the recovery disk to ensure that it boots and finds your image file and partitions.

 

[bigseb]

So this Macrium creates a Linux recovery disc? Or is that a separate thing altogether? Does it create the backup image of the XP system?

Sorry if I sound a bit dense but a basic step by step would help.

Thanks again.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

You could just run Ubunta off of a cd/dvd or usb stick to get the feel for it then install if you like what you see. Instructions are at the home of Ubunta & are easy to follow.

 

[carwiz]

I'll say one thing for Ubuntu, you'll be learning a whole new language.

 

[bigseb]

Hipster and Carwiz:

I am familiar with Ubuntu, been running it on/off since 9.04 but the latest one is quite different visually, I want to see how much I can do with it, particularly regarding Wine. Can't do that while running off the disc...

 

[carwiz]

Well, all I can say is your brass is shinier than mine. I gave up on it way back. Seemed every time I turned on the machine, there were 140GB of updates. And I was on dial-up back then. :shock:

 

[Hipster Doofus]

I've only started playing with it today & already given up. Off the cd it was OK but every time I use wubi to install it I get stuck at the reboot screen & it wants me to chkdsk /r all the time. Even tried on a second drive, same result. I'll give it another go in a few years.

Wubi is something you could try. Installs along side windows as software but it's an OS. Removed through the control panel when you've had enough or want to put it on it's own partition.

 

[marsmimar]

Just another positive comment for Macrium. It's always worked for me. Macrium uses CNET as their official download site.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

My suggestion (FWIW) is to install Macrium on your wife's XP machine. Follow the instructions to create the Linux recovery CD. (You'll be given a choice for the Linux CD or a WindowsPE CD. I'd stick with the Linux as being friendlier.) You'll need one blank CD to make the recovery media.

Once the CD is created, you'll need to test it. Make sure the computer is set to boot from the CD/DVD drive as first option (you may have to enter the BIOS to make the change, or depending on who made the computer you may have a "one time" option to press F2 or some other key at boot to enter startup.)

Once you're satisfied the recovery CD work, you can make a system image of the entire hard drive. As previously stated, when you eventually return the computer to your wife you can restore it to the exact condition it was in when you made the system image. You might want to look through the Macrium tutorial to get an idea of what's involved (particularly the How To section.) And you may want to look at the tutorial made by one of the Forum members. I believe his tutorial was made for version 4.2 but it should still be good for the latest Macrium version 5.

Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging and Backup - Help

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html