| Your computer cost you from hundreds to | | | | your Windows XP CD-ROM. |
| thousands of dollars, but the computer itself is not | | | | 1. After inserting the CD-ROM, open Control Panel's |
| the most valuable part. The data on the hard disk is | | | | "Add or Remove Programs" utility. In the "Add or |
| the most valuable part. How many hours of work did | | | | Remove Programs" utility", click on the "Add New |
| you put into creating that data? One little event, like | | | | Programs" button, then click on the "CD or Floppy" |
| a power line spike from a lightning strike, and all that | | | | button. |
| work could be lost. Unfortunately, backing up with | | | | 2. In the "Run Installation Program" dialog box that |
| Windows XP Home Edition is not as simple as it | | | | appears, navigate to the VALUEAD/MSFT |
| should be. | | | | NTBACKUP folder on the CD-ROM and select the file |
| The first step is to choose a backup device. You | | | | NTBACKUP.MSI. Click on the "Finish" button. The |
| might choose a tape drive or a DVD drive, but those | | | | Backup utility will be installed. |
| devices might require drivers to be installed before | | | | Perform a Full Backup |
| you could restore from them. The simplest option is | | | | To perform a backup, select Start | Programs | |
| to install a second hard drive in your computer. | | | | Accessories | System Tools | Backup to open the |
| The second hard drive doesn't have to be equal to | | | | Backup Utility. |
| your main hard drive. You can use an older, smaller | | | | Note: If you don't find Backup listed in System Tools, |
| hard drive as the backup device, as long as the | | | | double click on the file name ntbackup.exe in the |
| backup drive has more "Free Space" than the main | | | | Windows\system32 folder. |
| hard drive has "Used Space". | | | | In the "Backup or Restore Wizard", click on the |
| Install a Second Hard Drive | | | | "Advanced Mode" link. In the "Backup Utility" dialog |
| When installing a second hard drive in your computer, | | | | box, select the "Backup" tab and set the checkbox |
| it's important to configure the drives correctly. Your | | | | next to the drive to backup (c:) and set the |
| motherboard should have two ATA (sometimes | | | | checkbox next to "System State". |
| called IDE) connectors. The primary connector should | | | | In the "Backup media or file name" text box, enter |
| have a cable with two drive connectors. The end | | | | the path to the file for the backup (example |
| connector should go to your main hard drive, the | | | | E:\Backup.bkf). Click on the "Start Backup" button. |
| middle connector can be used for a backup hard | | | | In the "Backup Job Information" dialog box that |
| drive. The second motherboard ATA connector | | | | appears, set the radio button next to "Replace the |
| should go to your CD-ROM. | | | | data on the media with this backup". Click on the |
| On the back of each hard drive is a jumper. The | | | | "Start Backup" button. The "backup Progress" dialog |
| jumper on your main hard drive should be set to the | | | | box will appear. |
| "Master" position. The jumper on your backup hard | | | | Even when you backup to relatively fast media like |
| drive should be set to "Slave" position. Most modern | | | | hard disk, the process can take 30 minutes or longer |
| computers use "Cable Select", so you can set both | | | | depending upon how much data is on the main drive. |
| jumpers to the "Cable Select" position. Don't forget | | | | When the backup is complete, turn off the computer |
| the power connector for the second drive. | | | | and remove the data and power cables from the |
| When you restart your computer, the second drive | | | | backup drive. It doesn't make sense to leave the |
| should be automatically recognized and be designated | | | | backup drive connected because if the cause of a |
| with the next drive letter available, usually E: (D: being | | | | failure is a power spike, it will take out both drives. |
| used for the CD-ROM drive). | | | | Next time you want to backup you'll need to reinstall |
| Format the Second Hard Drive | | | | the cables. |
| Generally, you will want to re-format the second hard | | | | How to Perform a Restore |
| drive after installation to remove any previously | | | | In the unfortunate event that your computer |
| installed operating system and to remove any | | | | crashes and you can't get it back by any other |
| previous file access rights. To format the drive, | | | | means, you'll need to reinstall Windows XP from the |
| select Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administration | | | | CD-ROM. (Automated System Recovery is not |
| Tools | Computer Management. In the "Computer | | | | supported in Windows XP Home Edition.) You'll need |
| Management" window, under "Storage", click on "Disk | | | | to re-install the Backup utility. Then you'll need to shut |
| Management". | | | | down the computer to install the data and power |
| Right click on the backup disk's drive letter. In the | | | | cables to the backup drive. Restart the computer |
| popup menu, select All Tasks | Format... In the | | | | and use the Backup Utility to restore Windows XP |
| Warning dialog box that appears, click on the "Yes" | | | | from the backup file. |
| button. In the "Format" dialog box, in the "File | | | | When using this backup method, it's important to be |
| system" drop-down list, select NTFS. Click on the | | | | careful not to break any pins when you are removing |
| "OK" button. Again, in the Warning dialog box that | | | | and installing the data cable of the hard drive. And if |
| appears, click on the "Yes" button. | | | | your computer doesn't use "cable Select", don't |
| Install the Backup Utility | | | | forget to change the jumper on the main hard drive |
| Windows XP Home Edition doesn't install the Backup | | | | back to "Single". |
| utility by default. You'll need to install it manually from | | | | |