Windows Service Pack 2 - "Back Up Your System"

[Mobbs]

What does "Back Up Your System" mean?

 

[JeffDunne]

It means what it says. Make sure you have a backup of everything - including the operating system. Just in case the upgrade corrupts the registry or other settings. Also, device drivers and the like may be updated by the install and cause devices or programs to not work (hence you can restore the original). If you have lots of stuff without install disks, make sure you have a copy of the windows system files - especially with some games.

If you have enough disk space, you can always just copy the windows directory to a backup folder, and if you have problems restore from there. Of course this won't help in the case of hard disk corruption, but that's no more of a concern when running the upgrade as it is when turning on your PC.

We've updated almost 200 PC's with the service pack and are yet to have a problem. Just make sure your hard disk has plenty of space and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Mobbs]

Thanks Jeff.

Wouldn't have a clue how to do all those things, so I guess the Service Pack is yet another thing I just have to let go.

 

[JeffDunne]

It's actually worth the trouble - it has some nice features.

But if you already have good virus protection and good machine performance, I'd wait until you have the need.

 

[Zeke]

What does "Back Up Your System" mean?

It means 'you're using a PC'...

 

[Mobbs]

But if you already have good virus protection and good machine performance, I'd wait until you have the need.

Nope and nope

So, how do I back up registries and systems etc.

Do you mean I have to copy my entire Windows directory to a newly created directory?

I hear what you're saying about all my other stuff (my own files), I know I can back them up to CD and do so every now and then.

 

[JeffDunne]

I wouldn't be too concerned about any thing other than windows directory. Running the upgrade won't corrupt the HD, but you should have these backed up anyway.

The XP upgrade will actually backup most of the windows stuff and has a rollback option. This is why it's best to have plenty of disk space. But personally I wouldn't rely on this as a backup plan. But like I said earlier, we haven't had a problem in almost 200 PC's, so if your not that concerned if things go wrong having to reinstall things, just go for it.

You can either backup the windows directory to another disk or directory on your current disk by copying it. But if yours is anything like mine, it'll take up about 2Gb of space. If you do this, once you've upgraded with no problems, just delete the copy you've made.

 

[jim boy]

Nope and nope

So, how do I back up registries and systems etc.

Do you mean I have to copy my entire Windows directory to a newly created directory?

I hear what you're saying about all my other stuff (my own files), I know I can back them up to CD and do so every now and then.

Don't be worried about the other stuff, just back up your personal data. If, in the very unlikely event, SP2 buggers up your Windows installation, backing up your system files will mean didly-squat.

If you're not quite on top of system security as a norm, then it is highly advisable to install this service pack. It will do alot to protect your system against new viruses and other vulnerabilities.

 

[JeffDunne]

Don't be worried about the other stuff, just back up your personal data. If, in the very unlikely event, SP2 buggers up your Windows installation, backing up your system files will mean didly-squat.

You've obviously never had a windows upgrade overwrite device drivers.

 

[jim boy]

You've obviously never had a windows upgrade overwrite device drivers.

I have, but in most cases it's with good reason as the device drivers were flaky to begin with. Usually it only happens with cheap crap. Most of the time you can just download updated drivers to get the thing going again.