how to make backup of the whole drive?

[pietrzyk]

Hallo,

Can someone tell me how I can make a backup of the whole drive (so that I could backup Windows installation, all other software and my data), an a bootable recovery CD(DVD). I have Windows-XP-home and I think there is no proper software installed there as a standard. I probably have to buy sth, but what and where? I was trying to use Acronis software (I've downloaded demos of DiskDirectorSuite9.0 and TruImage8.0) but because of some mistake in my installation I have now disaster on my laptop, I can't boot into Windows, it seems all installation and data on my hard-drive will be lost because I will have to reinstall everything from the beginning. I would like to avioi such problems in the future.

Thanks in advance,

Monika

[trackrat]

I had a similar problem when I first used Acronis.

What I did was used the XPCD to repair the MBR (master boot record) and was able to boot into windows again.

It is worth a try and you can follow the user guide from powerless.

If you can't get it up, print it out from a friends computer.

This is the link to the user guide.

http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10374

Have just read your other post on this subject, are you entering the BIOS to make the CD or DVD drive the first boot .

[pietrzyk]

I had a similar problem when I first used Acronis.

What I did was used the XPCD to repair the MBR (master boot record) and was able to boot into windows again.

It is worth a try and you can follow the user guide from powerless.

If you can't get it up, print it out from a friends computer.

This is the link to the user guide.

http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10374

Have just read your other post on this subject, are you entering the BIOS to make the CD or DVD drive the first boot .

Thanks a lot for your advices! I am slowly trying to understand everything :-(

Sorry for stupid question, but what you mean by 'user guide from powerless'? What is 'powerless'?

[-pops-]

Referring to your other thread and a comment you made there:

I did the installation in the most stupid way!!! I was watching TV and just clicking 'yes' to every question which appeared during the installation. I was even not cerafully reading the questions.

Can I respectfully suggest that EVERY time you install any software, any at all but, especially that which can make fundamental alterations to your system such as the Acronis which is now causing you problems, that you take very careful notice of what you are responding to when it asks questions.

Sorry, re-reading that makes it appear a bit harsh - it's not meant to be, it's just good advice offered with the best of intentions.

Now, to your immediate problem. I use Acronis and have installed it in a number of machines without any difficulties. One of the big plus points I've found about this software is how easy it is to use. So, please don't be put off too much by your initial bad experience.

Follow trackrat's advice and use the WF/powerless guide (which I had a small part in preparing as well :) ) and you should soon be back on course.

Don't forget - be very careful about all installations :) - for safety's sake as well - you could find yourself signing up for something you most definitely don't want by not taking enough notice of where and when you click on the mouse.

[trackrat]

powerless is the guru on this forum for user guides

[andsome]

powerless is the guru on this forum for user guides

He's a very clever bloke, but not as good looking as me.

[r4may]

Use Norton Ghost to backup the whole disk, on multi CD's /DVD's if you wish and the you can recover indiviual files from the backup once you have sorted out your system.