system image for XP

Repa,

Do you have win xp?. Do you use imaging software for it?

I still have my old xp computer as a backup. I no longer have the windows xp cd. Last time I had a hard drive crash, the place I took it used a cd they had - they said they could do that since the sticker with the winodws key was still on my case.

It would be nice if I could create an image of it- just in case it has a problem again. I don't think XP has a tool like 7 does.

Just thinking.

Fay

You can create a slipstream cd for windows xp by borrowing a windows xp cd from a friend since you have the windows key on your tower for the OEM Windows XP installation. You can also use the friend's cd to reinstall XP if you don't want to go though the process of creating the slipstream cd since you have the windows key for your system - that would be your easiest option.

You can find instructions for creating a bootable slipstream cd here:

For Windows XP with SP2: http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

For Windows XP with SP3: http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm

Repa,

I have never heard of a slipstreamdcd before. I'll have to read your links more closely.
But one thing I was hoping was to have an image of the way the computer is not, so I would not have to re-install and re-confgiure sutff if I have another crash. Not quite sure if this would do that or not. Also, not sure there is anyone I can get the disk from - guess I would probably just take it back to the shop and let them do it agian if the need arises, but then I am back ot having to re-install and re-confiugre.

Thanks for the information.

Fay

Not for sure yet, but considering the possibility of maybe buying some igaing software. I have tried to read a little about some of them - but just get really confused.

Fay

I went ahead and posted at bleepingcomputer to see what they might have to suggest for imaging softwared for XP.

Here are the suggestions I have gotten so far:
paid versions:
Acronis TrueImage
Norton Ghost
Terabyte Image for DOS
free version
Macrium Reflect


Repa, I think you said that you had read some not so good reviews about Acronis. And I think mentioned: DriveImage XML as a free one.

I guess I'll have to do some checing on them. I don't know anything about any of them but have heard of eveything except the Terabyte one. Acronic and Norton may be more than I want to pay. I did a quick goggle search on the Terabyte one and found some good reviews but that was a very quick look.

I found both Acronis and Norton on Amazon for what seems to be a pretty good price. But then both seemed to have a lot of bad reviews.


Tying to read a little on the DriveImage XML that you mentioned. So far I have found a number of good review but it mentions having to create a BartPE CD, I don't know what that is. Also, I think is said something about the disk you were resoring to had to be partitioned, don't know how I would do that if I was having to install a new DISK to use for the OS disk. Guess I will will have to do some more looking.

I am confused again.
Not sure what I'll do.

Fay