whats the simplest way to back everything up on new drive?

[flightsimmer747]

Hi

I'm really stupid when it comes to simple things with computers, to back up my whole computer is it as easy as drag and drop as long as the space on the backup drive is the same or surpasses my other drive?

I know programs will need to be reinstalled but the bulk on the hard drive is what i want to backup at once and not waste time on digging around for what I may need I just want to put it all there?

Is this what is called imaging?

Anyways the main reason is I have such a busy schedule and have no time to pick and choose, and all this because I would like to reinstall windows to get sp2 working which does not work/install on my illegal win xp pro installation.

Thank you.

[noell]

You say you are going to re-install windows and re-install programs. That being the case, all you really need to back up is your data.

You can simply copy everything to another drive and then, after you've re-installed XP and your programs, just copy your data back to your applications. Its all a pretty time comsuming activity whether you pick and choose what you need to back up now or pick and choose what to copy back after you re-install. The advanatge, of course, of copying it all in advance is that you won't find yourself wishing you had backed up something you didn't so its probably the safest thing to do.

Just copying all of your files, BTW, is not "imaging". Imaging transfers everything as well as essential XP files (that can't be simply copied) over to a new drive which then becomes the boot drive with the operating system. Imaging is often done with software such a Norton Ghost or
Acronis True Image.


....Noell

[flightsimmer747]

But Noell, I might keep this as the backup drive with illegal XP since there is way too much for me too back up, this can be considered my backup drive its a good western digital drive for a back up but a new drive with a new installation of legal XP can simply be my new drive, then I copy out what I need like example FSX demo.

The problem with me getting a new retail xp version seems like a waste of money since vista is nearly here and a new hard drive or PC is in my mind. Point being I may just have a hard drive with xp illegal and new drive with VISTA LEGAL of course.

I'm so confused I read that purchasing just the license will do and that there is an update tool somewhere that can fix my current illegal XP version. This would solve all my problems considering I don't have to reinstall anything nor purchase a retail xp cd more expensive than just the license nor buy a new hard drive since FSX will be playable here for now and I will benefit off USB 2.0 which I don't have without SP2.

Any idea, it's not so much the money but if something can be done simple not requiring much money I'll do it. Since I may just upgrade everything in the future.

Also since I feel i already got screwed buying an illegal version of xp makes me feel more and more i don't want to put in more $$$ for xp since VIsta is floating around.


Thanks sorry for long post but this is the only way to really explain and make sense of what I'm trying to accomplish.

[noell]

First and foremost, I not about to tell you what you should or should not do with your illegal copy of XP.

A note on Vista - its months and months away. So, IMO, doing whatever you have to do to end up with a legal copy of XP would not be money wasted. That way you can get all of the service updates and security fixes which I think are pretty important for all the obvious reasons. Again, just my opinion.

As for backup, you either (A) get another drive and take the time to decide what data is important to you and then copy it to your backup drive (here's a great, free program for doing that http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...SyncBack.shtml

or, (B) if you want a full image, you get an additional drive and the required imaging software.



....Noell

[flightsimmer747]

Ok thanks I understand but have you heard anything about the key update tool and aquiring a license to update the current installation?

Thanks for the freeware.

[noell]

I know I read about it on a computer news website some time ago but now I can't find the original item.

However, maybe this is what you are looking for:

http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=34593



....Noell