Windows XP Backup and Recovery

Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
This MSDN Online article discusses the System Restore feature of Microsoft Windows XP, which enables you, in the event of a problem, to restore your PC to a previous state without losing personal data files.

The Six Deadly Backup Sins
Learn how to avoid a disaster-recovery nightmare. Source: Windows 2000 Magazine (April 2000)

How to automate Windows desktop backup tasks
Admins can certainly automate the Windows desktop backup process -- all they need to do is choose the right tool. Source: SearchWinComputing.com (Nov. 21, 2007)

How to create Multiple CD-ROMs from a Set of Files in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 305600 - This step-by-step article describes how to create multiple CD-ROMs from a set of files in Windows XP. With Windows XP, you can easily use writable CD-ROMs to store files in a secure medium for later recovery, archiving, and so on. 

How to install Backup from the Windows XP Home Edition CD-ROM 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 302894 - The Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. 

How to use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308422 - This article describes how to back up files and folders on your computer by using the Backup program that is included with Windows XP. 

How to use Backup to Restore Files and Folders on Your Computer 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 309340 - This article is a step-by-step guide to using the Backup program in Windows XP to restore files and folders on your computer. 

How to configure Recovery Techniques in Windows XP
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307973 - You can configure the actions that Windows takes when a severe error (also called a fatal system error, or stop error) occurs. You can configure the following actions: 

How to Set up and Use Automated System Recovery in Windows XP
This article describes how to set up and use Automated System Recovery (ASR) in Windows XP. ASR is a two-part recovery system consisting of ASR backup and ASR restore.

How to recover from Failed System Drive with Non-Default %SystemRoot% Folder  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 235478 - When you install Windows XP or Windows 2000 by booting from either the Windows installation CD-ROM or the four Setup floppy disks, Setup does not prompt you for or allow you to change the target installation folder name. The default installation folder is \Winnt. 

FEATURED ARTICLES:

* If XP crashes, consider Device Driver Rollback as restore option
When it comes to restoring a faulty Windows XP system, many admins instinctively reach for System Restore. Maybe they should look at the Device Driver Rollback utility instead. Source: SearchWinComputing.com (July 6, 2006)

* Options for recovering data with Data Protection Manager
Having backups of your data won't do you any good unless you know how to restore them. Here are some options for restoring data through Microsoft's Data Protection Manager. Source: SearchWinComputing.com (June 20, 2006)

OTHER ARTICLES:

How to Disable the System Restore Configuration User Interface  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 283073 - This article describes how to locally disable the System Restore Configuration user interface to prevent users from modifying System Restore settings, or from turning this feature on or off for the system and non-system drives. This is the only way to disable configuration changes and leave the filter and the service on. It may be particularly useful for computers with multiple users or for multiple-partition computers.

How to re-Create a Missing Automated System Recovery Floppy Disk 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 299526 - This article describes how to create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) floppy disk from the media that stores the ASR backup. During an ASR backup operation, a copy of the Asr.sif and Asrpnp.sif files are backed up to the backup media. In the event that the ASR floppy disk is not available, both the Asr.sif and Asrpnp.sif files can be extracted from the ASR backup set, and then transferred to a floppy disk to be used for an ASR operation. 

How to restore the Operating System to a Previous State in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 306084 - This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous working state. System Restore takes a "snapshot" of critical system files and some program files and stores this information as restore points. 

How to start System Restore Tool from Command Prompt 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 304449 - Windows XP includes the System Restore tool, but you cannot start the System Restore tool from a Recovery Console prompt. Because of this, it may be useful to start the System Restore tool when you are unable to start your Windows XP-based 

How to Use the System Restore Utility with Windows Management Instrumentation 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 295299 - This article describes how you can use the System Restore utility to create, enumerate, and restore previously created restore points by using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). 

System Restore Scripting Samples
Download script samples for configuring and operating System Restore (locally and remotely) on computers running Windows XP Professional.

Windows XP's System Restore
Learn how to use Windows XP's System Restore to recover your system and protect your data. Source: Windows & .NET Magazine (Sept 2002)

How to install the Windows XP Recovery Console
What happens when you can't use Safe Mood to fix an OS that won't boot? Try the Windows XP Recovery Console. Microsoft MVP Brien M. Posey explains step one -- installation.

How to use the Windows XP Recovery Console
Once you install the Recovery Console, you have to familiarize yourself with the new command prompt -- and how it differs from the one within the OS itself.

Regaining lost functionality in the Windows XP Recovery Console
The fact that so many features are disabled in the Recovery Console can be frustrating for admins. Fortunately, workarounds can help restore access to most of those functions.

A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 291980 - This article discusses the bootcfg command and its uses. The bootcfg command is a Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console command that manipulates the Boot.ini file.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314058 - This article describes the functionality and limitations of the Windows Recovery Console. The Windows Recovery Console is designed to help you recover if your Windows-based computer does not start properly or does not start at all. 

How to access the Recovery Console During Startup
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article  Q307654 - If Safe mode and other startup options do not work, you can consider using the Recovery Console. This method is recommended only if you are an advanced user who can use basic commands to identify and locate problem drivers and files. 

How to add More Power to Recovery Console By Using Group Policy 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310497 - This step-by-step article describes how to use Group Policy to add more power to the Recovery Console. Windows XP provides a Group Policy that lets you add power to the commands that are available in the Recovery Console. Under normal conditions, the Recovery Console imposes limits on the environment in which it operates. 

WebCast: Microsoft Windows XP: Exploring Boot Options and Recovery Console Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 324465 - This session will discuss Microsoft Windows XP boot options, Recovery Console commands, and will also talk about how to use them to troubleshoot common issues that you may experience when you start Windows XP.

*  Backup failure: Five reasons backups fail
Media failure, human error and hardware failure are among the most common reasons backups fail. Learn what you can do to prevent failures resulting from these issues.  Source: SearchWinComputing.com (August 1, 2006)

OTHER ARTICLES:

Cannot Restore Backups That You Create in Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me with the Windows XP Ntbackup Tool 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 305381 - When you attempt to restore a backup in Windaws XP that you create by using the Msbackup tool in Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition (Me), you may receive one of the following error messages: 

Cannot Log On to Recovery Console After Running Sysprep in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308402 - When you attempt to log on to Recovery Console in Windows XP by typing the correct password for the local Administrator account, Recovery Console may display the following error message: 

Scheduled Backup May Not Run Under Backup Operator Credentials 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 311866 - When you schedule an Ntbackup.exe task to run under a backup operator's credentials, the job may not complete if someone other than the backup operator is logged on to the console, and the System Event log may contain the following error. 

WangDAT 3400DX Tape Drive Stops Responding During Tape I/O Process 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307050 - When you try to use a WangDAT 3400DX tape drive with your Windows XP-based computer, the tape drive may stop responding during the Tape I/O process. The following error message may appear in the log file: 

Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 315255 - When you select a backup media device in Backup (Ntbackup.exe), you cannot select a CD-R (compact disc recordable), CD-RW (compact disc rewritable), or DVD-R (digital video disc recordable) device.

You Cannot Expand Computer Shares with the Ntbackup Tool in the Entire Network Location Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 316929 -  When you use the Ntbackup tool, you cannot select a network resource to back up or restore to if you view the Entire Network location. Note that the Entire Network location also includes Microsoft Terminal Services, Microsoft Windows Network