How do I back up my files before installing Windows Vista?

Question

I am installing Windows Vista on my old computer. They recommend I back up my files before installing. I know I can back the files up on a CD, but I'm not sure how to do this. I must admit, I'm a mental midget when it comes to things like this.

Answer 1

There are many ways to back up your data.

Let's start with the easiet first.

If you get an external hard drive, just plug it into your computer and copy all the files to it. You do this by choosing the files you want to copy and dragging it to the new drive. Unfortunately, you will not be able to copy any programs. Once you erase your computer and install Vista, you will lose all of your programs. Only the data can be saved.

The next method would be for you to "burn" or copy the data to multiple CD's / DVD's using your CD / DVD burner. To do this, open your disc creation software and create a Data disc. Unfortunately, without knowing what program you have, I am not able to give you further directions on this. If you have a tech saavy friend, have him/her help you out with this. With this method, you will also not be able to copy any programs, only data.

The best method (in my opinon) would be for you to buy a copy of Ghost from Symantec (the makers of Norton Anti-virus). With Ghost, you can copy your entire hard drive, programs and data to an external hard drive or CD/DVD. By doing this, if you should decide that Vista doesn't work well on your computer, or that you just don't like it, you can restore your computer back to XP and the way you have it now.

You'll still need to copy your computer's data to an external drive or to a CD/DVD (see the first 2 methods listed above). The reason for this is because Ghost can only restore your computer. It wont just let you drag the data off the disc to the new operating System. Still, it's good to know that you can return your computer to the way it is now if there is any problem.

BTW, Vista has some pretty high requirements. I'm not sure how old you computer is, so you might want to find out if your computer capable of handeling Vista. For more info, go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

in case you opt to place in an working device of which you're unsure what it does or no count in case you will save it or no longer, reproduction the full content textile of the partition you opt to place in the recent OS directly to a various partition or, extra useful, to a various disk. Now, in case you settle directly to flow decrease back on your previous OS, you will no longer could set up it back; merely format the partition (utilising an analogous report device IT became earlier the recent installation) and reproduction all the content textile you saved to that partition.

Answer 3

Just wanted to give u allternative backup software.
It's True Image.
i think, It's much better then ghost.
but anyway, it's up to u to choose.
here is review where those two are compared.