Resolved Moving files from XP

The box refuses to be healed and continues to act like a US Congressperson despite my most assiduous attempts to tame it so it's time to save the date and nuke the drive, donate the whole assembly and replace it with a nice new desktop with WIN7PRO64.

I see where you (the generic you) have referenced this in many posts but I don't seem to be able to get the hang of doing a WHOLESALE Data-only Backup to a removable drive.

All Backup programmes I've encountered assume you want to back up or archive EVERYTHING... I want to back up my data and the like, get the new unit, re-install the programmes I want (and which will still run) and then introduce the appropriate data back to the HDD.

I just can't seem to find a programme or a method of doing this other than going through the box, directory by directory and copying it to the backup location (removable [USB] HDD).

Since the problem has been narrowed down to a corrupted copy of XP, I CERTAINLY don't wanna back up THOSE files...

Suggestions?

 

You can ~usually~ find most XP users' stuff in:

Code:

C:\Documents and Settings\[color=silver]{username}[/color]\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\[color=silver]{username}[/color]\My Documents
C:\Documents and Settings\[color=silver]{username}[/color]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

However, just like in real life, there are some people that strew their stuff all over the durn place.

 

I am quite pleased with Windows Easy Transfer.

It should select the folders suggested by SpywareDr and most other files/folders/drives it considers "data ". When you get the option to select which User profiles to select, you can go into Advanced and deselect whatever you don't want copied (backed up).

It will save the User profiles, data and Windows settings to an external drive. "Settings" also include network settings, so the network is virtually completely set up (if not completely set up).

Windows XP doesn't have Easy Transfer, you can download it from the MS website.

Hopefully it will be simple enough to run on your crippled system.

Matt

 

Thanks Matt.. that sounds more like what I was looking for. I'll give it a whirl.

Acronis is a great Program, Broni, and I've used it in many iterations over the years, but a full backup still leaves me with a full backup. The selective transfer sounds as if it will suit my desire somewhat better.

Thanks to all.

 

(Ari: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPELL-CHECKER???)

I d/l'd and installed WET and it did, indeed, pick and choose among things IT thought should be saved. I have no idea what those were, as it assembled the lot into a .MIV (I think) file which can only be read WITH Windows Easy Transfer.

NOT what I was looking for.

I am also running a b/u using a 2010 version of "Easy Backup "... well, it's been running since 1630EST and is now about .4 finished with "compressing" phase. Once it has phinnished (couldn't resist!) I'll do another backup using Acronis (or perhaps the EASUS clone thereof.... I LOVE Easus' partition manager and have used it since v2.3... it's now something like 9.2.1 !) to get a (hopefully) READABLE clone of the system.

And that brings me to my main reason for this update: Is there NO program (free or paid!) where I can back up a portion of, or an entire, partition and HAVE THE THING READABLE just by using the 'normal' tool I would ordinarily use: Windows File Explorer?

At one time, I was the most 'Au Courant' techie on my block....nay, in my immediate six block area! People would flock to my door begging me to build them an up-to-the-minnit P2 box with a real 10MB NIC card!!

Jeez. Today I got my MicroCenter advert mailing and I didn't recognize 92% of the **** they're advertizing.

What the (xxxxxxx) is an Android Notepad and do I REALLY need one? What happened to Memory prices? I remember when the rule-of-thumb was $1 USD per mmegabite of RAM. Wow... 4GB on One DIMM for $25... Gag me widda spoon!


So: you can see why I am so 'tetchy' about asking for advice or being so leery about explaining what I want to do: I just don't wanna look like a lUSER again!

So: all that in consideration, IS there a backing-up program thaqt will do a full backup, then do a nightly incremental backup of any files changed, added-to or new and which will put the results in a PLAINLY READABLE format for a Yutz like me to read and use?


"The Whole World Wonders "BTBTBT

 

Thank you Pete for both points, but neither the Quick Reply Pane Nor the "Advanced" Pane show a spellcheck link in the Upper RIGHT corner... I put IE spell in the computer some time ago... p'r'aps its outdated?

Well, back to the drawing-board.

Incidentally (FWIW): "Easy" Backup neither backed up NOR was particularly "easy" about setting up to run, but as for the backup, not doing it was quite "easy ", so it's on to the next likely victim suggested by PeteC.

 

Yes, Easy Transfer puts it all into one large file. So it is best at a one-to-one computer transfer. What it is very good at, is taking things from XP and putting them in the right place in Windows 7.

SyncbackSE is a great program, but (I don't think) it would know where to put anything in Windows 7, which has a different directory system.

 

I've already done five b/u into a separate .5 TB usb drive, and will be getting new desktop with WIN7 32 this or next week, at which time I pull the trigger on the XP Box, reformat the drive, re-install a NEW XPSP3PRO (outta the box this time) and then slowly re-build the XP box for legacy programme use. Many of my music programmes will not run under or load to WIN7, even in compatibility mode and I still have a box that dual-boots 95 and 98SE, so... onwards and upwards to increase the Gates' Family fortunes.

I'm leaving this thread open until I get the b/u into the new box (either East Transfer [probable] or....

I'm getting to the point where I no longer like the drat computer!

 

For future information: Spellchecker in upper right of quick or advanced reply box does NOT appear in Firefox... ONLY under Internet Destroyer.

Solved THAT one!

Next I tackle using a zipper...

 

I use Firefox. I got the spell checker from Tools -> Add-ons (not that I need a spell checker...HA-HA ).

Not sure if the latest version has it's own, but mine is set to use an Australian dictionary, something I like.

 

But you people spell some words funny.

 

Right?

 

Nao they doan't... its youse Septics as wot's got the problems!

Anyway, I'm having the same problems I did before.

(Censored) it.