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Windows XP backup restore

This article is a step-by-step guide to using the Backup program in Windows XP to restore files and folders on your computer.

The Backup utility in Windows XP helps you protect your data in case your hard disk fails or files are accidentally erased. 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 Wizard or Automated System Recovery Wizard.
 

How to Restore Files and Folders

NOTE: You must have permissions as an administrator or a backup operator on your computer to restore files and folders. Also, backup operators and administrators can back up and restore encrypted files and folders without decrypting the files or folders.

Click on the hyperlink for instructions for that step.

1. Click Start
2. Click All Programs
3. Click Accessories
4. Click System Tools
5. Click Backup
6. Click Advanced Mode.
7. Click the Restore and Manage Media tab.
8. Use one of the following steps:
   • If you want to restore from a backup file, expand File, and then expand the backup file that you want. For example, expand Backup.bkf created 01/01/2002 at 1:15 PM. Backup includes the date and time of the backup as part of the file name by default.
   • If you want to restore from a tape backup, expand the tape device that you want (for example, Travan), and then expand the media name that you want. For example, expand Media created 01/01/2002 1:15 PM.
9. Select the check boxes for the folders that you want to restore. If you want to be more specific in your selections, double-click the folder that you want, and then select the check boxes for the files or folders that you want to restore.
10. If you are restoring the entire operating system, select the System State check box.
    
    NOTE: If you want to restore the operating system as well as your data files, you must restore the System State data, which includes such things as the registry, the COM+ class registration database, files under Windows File Protection, and boot files.IMPORTANT: Make sure your current Windows installation has the same service pack level as your operating system backup before you restore a full backup. For example, if you restore a full backup that includes Service Pack 1 (SP1), make sure SP1 is installed for your current Windows installation.For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    328035 STOP Error Occurs When You Restore Backup Windows XP SP1 Files

     

11. In the Restore files to box, use one of the following steps:
    • Click Original location if you want to restore the files to the location from which you backed them up. Use this selection when you restore the entire computer.
    • Click Alternate location if you want to restore a file or files to another location on the hard disk. Type the location that you want in the Alternate location box. Use this selection to prevent the restore operation from overwriting existing files on your computer.
    • Click Single folder if you want to restore a file or files to a single folder on the hard disk. Type the location that you want in the Alternate location box. Use this selection to separate the restored files or folders from the rest of the files on the hard disk.
12. On the Tools menu, click Options.
13. Click the method that you want Backup to use when it restores a file that is already on the computer, and then click OK. Backup uses this selection to determine whether to overwrite an existing file only when it restores a file in a folder that contains the existing file.
    
    NOTE: If you are restoring the operating system, click Always replace the file on my computer.
14. Click Start Restore.
15. If the following message appears, click OK if you want to restore the System State information with the selected backup:

    Warning
    
    Restoring System State will always overwrite current System State unless restoring to an alternate location.

     

16. In the Confirm Restore prompt that appears, click OK. A Restore Progress dialog box appears, and the restore operation Starts.
17. When the restore process is complete, click Close. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

To do a backup, go to backup a file or series of files.

The instructions above are from Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 309340. This is not the entire article. I have the steps listed here, but if you want the entire article then click on the link.   

External Hard Drive Letter - You should assign the drive letter of X, Y, or Z to this drive for backing up to avoid errors during automatic backups.