I have gone into all programs, accessories, system tools, backup I have selected the backup wizard advanced option and clicked next.
Which of the 3 options should I select if I am backing up in preparation for a clean install?
Backup everything on this computer,
Backup selected files drives or network data and
Only backup the system state data
Which of those 3 options should I select in preparation for a clean install of windows XP
My pictures, music and videos are my main concern.
July 30th, 2010 on 3:58 pm
Well if u dont want to get rid of your files eng pictures,music,videos you should go with back up everything on this computer but if you want a fresh start you should click on Backup selected files drives
July 30th, 2010 on 3:58 pm
Second one
July 30th, 2010 on 3:58 pm
Second option.
The others are extremes!
July 30th, 2010 on 3:58 pm
I am assuming that if you want to do a clean install, it is because there is something wrong with the current install. Doing a "back up everything" would be a mistake, as it will copy whatever is causing the problem and then move that on to your new install. You would just copy the error over to the new computer.
What you want to do is to back up selected files. The files you will want to "select" will be your pictures, music and videos. Often it is easier to just manually copy all of those files over to an external drive then to use a back up program. That way you have full control over what is copied.
It is pointless to back up "programs". If you were to copy them over to the new install, they would not work because they would be missing registry information normally put into the registry when the program is installed. You will have to reinstall all your programs from the original disk or downloads.
The "only back up the system state" just makes a tiny file with information from the registry. It does not back up your pictures, music, videos, etc. You do not want to select that one.