[Denisejm]

Hi,

I have Windows XP Pro X64.

I have to format my pc at least every 6 months because problems pop up and, even though I run a battery of tests for malware, it turns up nothing. When I format again, can I copy the Windows folder and save it to an external hard drive, delete the one in C: and copy and paste the one I saved on an external hard drive?

Can I also do it with my registry?

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No.

A far better solution is to build your fresh installation, make an image of it onto an external drive and then when you want to rebuild the system, just clone it back. Programs such as Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost will do this.

[Neil Jones]

No.

A far better solution is to build your fresh installation, make an image of it onto an external drive and then when you want to rebuild the system, just clone it back. Programs such as Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost will do this.

[Denisejm]

There's a program in my pc named "Shadow Copy." Will it do the same thing Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost ?

[Neil Jones]

Shadow Copy is a variation on System Restore that you find in XP by default - it is effectively the brain for System Restore under Vista. As System Restore depends on a working Windows in the first place, unfortunately it will not be suitable for your needs.

[Denisejm]

Hi Neil . . . I'll look into Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost and see which one I like the best.

Thanks for your advice.

[Ztruker]

There are also free backup software programs available. I use DriveImage XML which has worked well for me. It doesn't backup directly to CD or DVD though. You have to backup to another hard drive then burn the data to CD/DVD if you want a "safer" backup.

To restore DIXML, you need a bootable CD like UBCD for Windows which has DIXML on it.

Another I've seen mentioned several times is Cobian Backup. I've not used it myself though.

Acronis True Image seems to be the backup software most often recommended, but if you're "careful" with your money like I am ...

[Denisejm]

Thanks for your reply also, Rich
.