Backup one computer to another computer's hard disk. I use Microsoft backup to do that. I backup the critical data (see excerpt from a previous post, below) and do not backup stuff I can recreate from CD's etc. If the data is really critical, you should purchase a backup device with removable media so you can get the data off premises. And you should setup a schedule for regular backups on several, rotating media (on for each day). I have not had good luck backing-up over a network to a CD-RW drive, but I am working on the problem. LarryBacking-up Critical Files Before Doing a Clean Windows Install
Minimally, you should backup:
C:\My Documents
C:\windows\favorites
C:\windows\cookies
C:\window\*.pwl (password files)
C:\Windows\Start Menu (or any custom short cuts)
C:\config.sys
C:\autoexec.bat
CD-ROM drivers
To backup Outlook 2000, see MS Knowledgebase Article Q196492 at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q196/4/92.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=Q196492&rnk=1&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=OUT2K
Outlook Express is covered in Q270670 at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q270/6/70.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=Q270670&rnk=1&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=OEX
Record any dial-up, browser, and network configuration info.
I would be sure to have two backups of My Documents and any other critical user data. One of them would be done with Microsoft Backup (see http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/software/windows/winme/backup/index.html). Two backups are essential if you are using a tape drive. The next time you just do just one backup and you discover the backup is bad and you lose a lot work, just remember that old guy with the web site, Larry, told you to take the time to do two of them.
This does not cover everything for every computer. Do it at your own risk. Larry
