It is important that you create a backup of your hard drive so that you have it ready when the unfortunate occurs. The steps mentioned would help you in creating a image of your entire hard drive.


How to back up files and folders by using the Backup utility

After you install the Backup utility from the CD-ROM, follow these steps to create a backup of your files and folders.

In order to back up files and folders, you must be logged on to the computer as an administrator or with a user that is part of the Administrators group.

Note The following steps explain how to create a backup manually by using the Backup Utility. You can also create a backup by using the Backup and Restore Wizard. However, the steps will be slightly different from those that are listed in the following section.
  1. Start the Backup utility and select the files and folders that you want to back up.
    1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.
    2. Click Advanced Mode.

      Note If the Backup and Restore Wizard starts, the utility is running in Wizard mode. You can click to clear the Always start in wizard mode check box, and then restart the Backup utility. If you continue to use the Backup and Restore Wizard, your steps will vary slightly from what is listed in this procedure.
    3. Click the Backup tab.
    4. On the Job menu, click New.
    5. Select the check boxes next to the drives that you want to back up. If you want to select specific files or folders, expand the drive where these files or folders are located. Then, select the check boxes next to the files or folders that you want to back up.
  2. Select the System State check box that is located under My Computer in the navigation pane.
  3. If the Backup destination list is available, click the backup destination that you want to use.

    Notes
    • If you selected File in this step, type the full path and file name for which you want to back up data in the Backup media box or in the file name box.
    • You can specify a network share as a destination for the backup file. Typically, backup files have the .bkf file name extension. However, you can use any file name extension that you want.
  4. Click Start Backup to open the Backup Job Information dialog box.
  5. Under If the media already contains backups, do either of the following:
    • If you want to append this backup file to previous backup files, click Append this backup to the media.
    • If you want to overwrite previous backup files with this backup file, click Replace the data on the media with this backup.
  6. Click Advanced.
  7. Select the Verify data after backup check box.
  8. In the Backup Type box, click the type of backup that you want to create. For a description of a backup type, click a backup type and the description appears under Description. You can select any of the following backup types:
    • Normal
    • Copy
    • Incremental
    • Differential
    • Daily
  9. Click OK, and then click Start Backup.
  10. When the backup is complete, click Close.

IF you are a Windows XP home user that You have to install the backup utility which is present on the XP Operating System Disk. Follow the below mentioned steps.

  1. Step 1

    Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and double click it when it pops up on your desktop.

  2. Step 2

    In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then Ntbackup.

  3. Step 3

    Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

  4. Step 4

    Click Backup to run Microsoft's Backup program.

    How to Run the Backup Utility

  5. Step 1

    Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup to start the wizard.

  6. Step 2

    Click “Next” to skip past the opening page, choose Back up files and settings from the second page, and then click Next.

  7. Step 3

    Decide whether you want to back up everything or just certain things.

  8. Step 4

    Decide where you want the backups saved to.

  9. Step 5

    Set a schedule for regular backups.