Chapter 9: Backing Up Your Files with the Backup Utility

Backing Up and Restoring System Information Using Automated System Recovery

Automated System Recovery (ASR) is available in Windows XP Professional, but not in Windows XP Home Edition. ASR enables the Backup Utility to back up key system information--what partitions are on your hard disks, how to start up, and other information--onto a floppy disk. You can use this floppy disk to restart your computer in the event of a disaster.

The ASR may appear to make a backup in Windows XP Home Edition, but restoring from it won't work, because Windows XP Home Edition doesn't support setups from ASR disks. You should be able to reinstall Windows XP from your Windows XP CD-ROM, and then restore the rest of the files from your backup.

Automated System Recovery doesn't recover all your files--it doesn't include all your program files or any of your data files. You need to make regular backups to have up-to-date copies of your data files. You can restore your program files from the program installation CDs or floppies.

Making an ASR Disk

Follow these steps to create an ASR floppy disk. You'll need a blank floppy disk as well as your usual backup medium for backing up the rest of the files you choose. If you plan to back up your system files to a tape, choose a blank tape or one that can be erased: the backup can't be appended to a tape with existing backups.

1. Run the Backup Utility. If the Backup Or Restore Wizard runs, click the Advanced Mode link to display the Backup Utility window.
2. On the Welcome tab, click the Automated System Recovery Wizard button (or choose Tools | ASR Wizard from the menu bar). The Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard starts.
3. Click Next to display the Backup Destination window.
4. Set the Backup Media Type to File or another destination (such as a tape drive), and specify the filename or tape.
5. Click Next and then Finish to start the backup. The Backup Utility backs your system files up on the destination that you chose. If the tape already contains backups, you see a message asking whether it's okay to overwrite the existing backups. Choosing No aborts the backup.
6. When Backup prompts for a blank, 1.44MB formatted floppy disk, insert it drive A and click OK.
7. When Backup is finished creating the ASR it suggests that you take the floppy out of the drive and label it. Click OK and then Close.

Keep the ASR floppy disk and backup tape (or disk with a file) in a safe place in case you need them to recover from a Windows boot failure. You can append other backups to the ASR tape.

Recovering Using an ASR Disk

If your Windows XP Professional installation won't start up, you can use the ASR floppy disk to restart Windows and restore the system files you backed up. You also need the tape or disk on which the rest of the ASR backup was made, and the Windows XP CD-ROM. Follow these steps:

1. Put the Windows XP CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Set your computer's ROM BIOS setup to boot from a CD-ROM. Check your computer's documentation: this step usually requires pressing F2 or some other key during system startup.
3. Restart the computer. To start from the CD, you may need to press a key or choose from a menu: consult your computer's documentation. The Windows XP installation program starts.
4. Watch for a prompt that tells you to press F2, and do so.
5. When you see a prompt to insert the ASR floppy disk into drive A, do so. Then follow the directions on the screen to restore your system files.