Backup and Recovery
The Backup utility in Windows XP Professional helps you protect your data in
the event your hard disk fails or files are accidentally erased due to hardware
or storage media failure. By using Backup you can create a duplicate copy of
all of the data on your hard disk and then archive it on another storage
device, such as a hard disk or a tape.
If the original data on your hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten,
or becomes inaccessible because of a hard–disk malfunction, you can easily
restore it from the disk or archived copy by using the Restore or Automated
System Recovery Wizards. To start Backup or to access Restore and Automated
System Recovery: Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories,
click System Tools, and then click Backup.
Windows XP Backup, Restore, and Automated System Recovery all function when
Windows XP Professional is functioning. If your computer does not start
properly, you may need to use Recovery Console. Recovery Console provides a
command line during Startup from which you can make system changes when Windows
XP Professional doesn’t start. To learn more about Backup, Restore, and
Automated System Recovery, see Help and Support
Center.
Recovery Console
You can use Recovery Console to perform many tasks without starting Windows XP,
including: starting and stopping services, reading and writing information on a
local disk drive, and formatting drives. However, you must install Recovery
Console while your computer is still functioning. The Recovery Console feature
should be used only by advanced users. Before using Recovery Console, it is
recommended that you back up your information on a tape drive, because your
local hard disks might be reformatted—thus erased—as part of the recovery. You
can also run Recovery Console from the Windows XP CD.
To install Recovery Console as a Startup Option
Log on to Windows XP Professional as an administrator or as a user with
administrator rights.
If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent
you from completing this procedure. Contact your network administrator for
assistance. Insert the Windows XP Professional CD into your CD ROM drive. If
you’re prompted to upgrade to Windows XP, click No.
From the command prompt—or from the Run command in the Start menu–type the path
to the appropriate Winnt32.exe file (on your Windows XP Professional CD), followed
by a space and /cmdcons to reference this switch. For example:
e:\1386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons. Follow the instructions that appear.
To run Recovery Console on a computer if Windows XP
Professional does not start
Restart your computer, and then choose Windows Recovery Console from the list
of operating systems. Follow the instructions that appear. Recovery Console
displays a command prompt. Make the required changes to your system.
Back up your information regularly—using the Backup utility in Windows XP—to
keep your archived data up–to–date.
It is also a good idea to backup important data and files before making any
system changes, such as adding new hardware, updating drivers or firmware, and
editing the registry. For more information about how to back up your data, see
Help and Support Center.
To see the commands available in Recovery Console, type “help” at the command
prompt. To restart your computer, type “exit” to close the Recovery Console
command prompt.