What is the difference between using back up software and  performing a system restore?
116500
System restore puts your "system" back to where it was at a prior date. Great for trying to fix virus and spyware infections once you clean those out. Backup actually backs your data, My Docs and such, to a location so you can restore those as needed.
371063
Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then click on backup. Follow the instructions from there.
213884
If you are running XP, just go Start>AllPrograms> Accessories>System Tools>Backup. Just follow the directions from there.
258106
If it is capable of hardware compression it should be automatic.  It depends on what software you are using on whether or not u use the compression.  Most backup software gives you the option of using hardware compression, software compression if it doesn't exist, or none.
69082
Can you back up to a system restore point?  You could try this, if you have WinXP or WinMe.\n----------------------\nSorry that wasn't the silver bullet. From a distance, I can't think of anything else you should try.
619042
use the system restore function.
527063
programs - accessories - system tools - system restore
1061199
Your tunes should be backed up as part of your backup routine.\nUse a remote computer share or removable drive such as a USB caddy so you can have separation beween your computer and backup. Windows backup will provide incremental backups so you don't have to backup evrything each time. Norton ghost 10 is an excellent way to backup your system.\n\nFor more details on a robust backup policy you sould read this article :http://www.dbnetsolutions.co.uk/articles/backup.aspx
57848
I use a program called norton ghost, When I got my new laptop for Christmas, the first thing that I did was to put the laptop the exact way I wanted it, then back it up.  With norton ghost it allows you to create a boot cd that will install your stuff to your computer, essentially reverting your hard drive to that point.  You will still have to run backups of your data that you create, but Ghost will be able to schedule that so that it is essentially a set and forget backup policy.
106764
Have you got system restore enabled and also have you got a system restore point for the date when you first got it ?\n\nIf not then the only way would be to use the recovery disc(s) or the windows xp disc and re install the operating system from scratch ( Obviously MAKE SURE to back up any data you have that you want to keep ) before you carry out this procedure.\n\nIf you need any other help please post back.
380774
if u did a back up disc on a pc running xp it does not back up the xp operating system, just your personal data,files etc. you need the xp disc.
585016
with "safe mode" you can either run the "System Restore" in safe mode or start Windows in safe mode. most of the time you might use the "safe mode" options after a bad defragmentation of the registries. I guess you meant to make a back-up before defragmenting just in case you might need to restore to a previous point when everything was fine! any registry defragmentation software comes with a back-up and restoring solution. \n    if you only want to make a HDD defragmentation you don't need a back-up. \n   just in case something goes wrong you can : \n -access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, and then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click Run the System Restore Wizard. \n  -While the computer is in safe mode, System Restore does not create any restore points. Therefore, you cannot undo a restoration that you performed when the computer was in safe mode. \n   -You can use System Restore to restore your computer to any restore point while in safe mode. If you cannot start the computer in standard mode, you can use System Restore to restore to a time when you could start the computer without errors. \n    -To restore to a time when your computer started without errors, select a restore point as close to the time you remember it last started without errors. \n    -If System Restore is suspended because of insufficient disk space, you cannot enable it by making more disk space available while in safe mode. You must restart the computer in standard mode and make more disk space available. \n    I hope it was somehow usefull for you.
644153
can you do a system restore to an earlier time?
914512
Use your restore option under system tools.
422150
It's a backup of all information, including data, programs and operating system, so if your system crashes, you can fully restore it.  Symantec Ghost is a program that can create these kind of backups.\n\nA regular backup would only keep your data and configuration files.
15853
I would disagree with the other person.  Sure, it doesn't work all the time, which is why I recommend backup or imaging software, but it does work often enough to make it worth your while.\n\nFor example, yesterday, my system stopped being able to access the Internet.  Used system restore to go back to the restore point in the morning, and it worked fine.
531007
it depends, are you talking about a cd that is labeled 'system restore' or the software that windows comes with?\n\n{in response to your response): these guys are all correct, a system restore basically 'rolls-back' your programs and system settings to a previous state w/o killing your docs