Hi\nI recently had to reinstall windows xp home edition from a system restore disc(i did not get an xp disc) and as i bought the computer over 3 years ago i had to start all over again installing service pack 2 etc as i have never backed up my system.. Now i have all my security programs etc installed a friend told me to back up my system while it is clean, The instructions he gave was START-ALL PROGRAMS-ACCESSORIES-SYSTEM TOOLS-BACK UP,Which would be fine but i do not have the back up option in system tools,can anyone tell me why not? \nany help would be much appreciated
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Kansas is correct...XP Home does not include the Back-up Utility by default. But it is easy to install it. look here:\n\nhttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302894\n\nSince you do not have a full copy of XP, you will need to download a copy of the installer (ntbackup.msi) which is availible here:\nhttp://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm\nScroll down to "Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version".
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Are you running windows XP or ME? if so, go to start>programs>accesories>system tools>System Restore. Follow the steps and you'll be there in no time.  If you are pre-windows ME, unless you backed it up 3 days ago, you are screwed.  Give us more feedback, so we can help you!\n\nWell, you can try to re-install the windows system instead of a restore.  If I were you, I'd back up my valuable files, wipe the computer clean and install a fresh copy.
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Should have come with your software. Unless of course you bought a pirated copy :( I believe I read something about XP and future editions of Windows will be configured to become inoperable on the host computer if the key is entered into another computer (like if you buy a new computer and load your copy of xp on it, it will become inoperable on the old computer)
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STOP!  DO NOTHING!\nYou will have to pass the computer to someone who knows what they're doing...\nYour machine is currently dual boot, 98 and XP.\nWhen you startup, a menu is presented with the choice of which OS to use.  The details of available operating systems are held in a file (boot.ini) on the C: drive - which is where the W98 is...\nIf you clear/format this drive your PC won't know how to start.\nIf you rid yourself of the W98 partition (so that you can use the space for XP....  screwed again!  All the software loaded under XP (including XP itself) will expect to find XP on the D drive, but it will be the C: drive now.  Nothing will run.\nI recommend that you leave it be!  If it ain't broke don't fix it.\nThere are options in the boot.ini which can cause the XP to be selected as default, and for the menu to chose the default after a certain number of seconds - try setting this to 1.\nBUT FIRST.  Start up W98. use Control Panel to unload all software except W98.  defrag the drive. now you can use any remaining space from XP - for backups perhaps...\n\nBE CAREFUL.  This is a dangerous forum in which to seek technical assistance.  \n\nThe link below gives more about boot.ini\n\nBe Lucky!
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what do u mean by recover.i have an XP.u go to the control panel in the start menu then go to account..you'll see what u need there for sure
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When I try to use System Restore in XP, I click a date, but it tells me I cannot restore. How do I fix this?\nA:\nSo, you're trying to use the XP System Restore feature, but get the message: "Cannot restore the computer to an earlier restore point, no changes have been made to your computer." Am I right? Well, I can't tell you how to get your old restore points back, but I can tell you how to fix this problem so you can use them in the future. \nRight click on the My Computer icon, choose Properties, then click on the System Restore tab.\nPut a check in the box for "Disable Restore on all drives." Click OK and reboot your computer\nAfter you reboot, go back to the System Restore tab and uncheck the box. Click OK.\nNext, go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then click System Restore. Choose Create a Restore Point and give it a name like Reset as a reminder.\nNow, go ahead and try to use the restore again, using the new point and it should work properly for you this time. \nJust in case you're not even sure how to use the System Restore option in Windows XP, read here before you complete this tip\nIt has helped someone before good luck
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go to start/program files/accessories and look for system restore. now restore your computer to a point (date) before you erased your folder and follow the instructions through. your system will automatically do the rest and if you did it correctly it will reboot with your control panel in place. if not, then i must inform you with regret, reinstall xp. make sure you backup all your important stuff first. good luck.
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If you delete EVERYTHING, you won't have the programs needed to log into the computer or bring up Windows when you start it. And did you back up just files, or the actual programs as well? I suggest you get a computer geek to help you so all is well in the end.
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I am sorry to hear what happened, your friend should have told you what he was going to do.  If you do not have a installation cd you will have to get one, from the manufactor and let them know what happened because when you install xp you have a code that Microsoft limits to every individual cd, that prevents the installation software from being redistrubited.  (if you do have a cd let them know immediately before reinstalling) You must know exactly what you are doing before installing the OS, if you do not, critical errors may occur, some OS cannot be placed on top of others.\nGood Luck
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Did you get the PC recovery discs with the computer? If not can you burn a set of them? You are only able to do this once, so if the previous owner burned them and did not give them to you, you may not be able to do this. If you do have your backup disc then you should format your computer. First copy everything that you need to keep to discs. (files, music, programs) Then when you have everything backed up, put the recovery discs into the drive and restart. You want to select format, but keep in mind that this deletes everything from your computer(sort of). The recovery discs will reinstall your operating system, but you have to reinstall all of the programs(word, excell, music players, etc.). This will take a few hours to do, but in the process you will be given steps to rename your pc so it has your info and not the previous owner's. Once you have reinstalled your programs, simply load your files back into the programs using your discs that you copied them to. If you are not very comfortable doing this, have a friend do it, if they know computers a little better. Or there is always the Geek Squad if you want to pay for it. Once you're done, it will be like a new computer! Hope this helps
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If you have an installation disk for Windows, you should be able to format your computer and make a fresh installation of Windows in place of your existing one.\n\nThis will delete all your settings and current files, and will be replaced with an original copy of Windows. So you should backup all your files onto a CD before you proceed.\n\nYou can't reverse this process, but it will do the job, and will give you a clean install of Windows to work with.\n\nIf you have a Dell or other branded computer, it may have a utility which can clean reinstall Windows for you.
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in tradition al system back up means  even the system failure u can recover data\n\nback ups available are\n  1) through cd or dvd\n  2) through storing files in some network space
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Go to this website, and it will explain, what you need to back up..I hope this helps you..Good Luck..\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/backup.mspx
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This link will tell you how to reinstall system restore.  You will also see a link for a free system repair.\n\nhttp://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairsr.htm
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Microsoft is getting tough on people who use pirated software.  If the XP doesn't pass the validation scan MS offers an electronic Product Key for $149 USD (XP Pro) or $99 (XP Home).\n\nThere are several legal merchants who sell the software for a lot less.  Try www.edirectsoftware.com and they had XP Pro SP2 full install disks for about $100 USD.\n\nIf you purchase a full install CD you don't have to do a reinstall.  You can do a repair.  That let's you overwrite the existing XP, repair or replace any corrupted or missing files, register the new Product Key, and you don't lose any of your settings or other applications.  You will have to visit the update site to reinstall patches and fixes.
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If you insert the windows cd, there will be option for for formating/clean install and recovery from back up called known good configuaration.\n\nbut I recommend it slightly differently. To be safest, create partition in hard drive. then back up your previous installation there. Install fresh in other drive.
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If you can't actually get anything to come up - by that I mean that you never even see the initial Windows logo, you can run the Recovery console from your Windows XP Installation CD.\n\nThis article: Windows XP Crashed? Here's Help gives a step-by-step overview of the process. This also applies if you didn't install the recovery console beforehand.\n\nRegardless of how you got there, the recovery console will allow you to copy files, perhaps undo a recent installation, or fix the master boot record, should that have become corrupt.\n\nIf that doesn't work perhaps maybe hardware problem: Default/Old  Hard drive, Ram, Video Card.....