Backup in Home Edition

[KenC]

What is the best way of creating a backup of my hard disk? I am using windows XP Home edition.

I know that a facility exists within the ValuAdded folder but this does not permit automated recovery.

What tools are out there to perform automated Backup and Recovery.

Thanks

[Kheldar]

something like Ghost would do it - it takes an image of your HD and restore it exactly the way it was - note it will erase any new file you've added since the last image was done. However this isn't really a "backup" since its mainly used for setting up new machines quickly (ie have a standard image that you use for a standard pc)

The option is to use a product like backup exec which would backup your files & settings, however like all backup software you'd have install the OS & backupexec before you can restore your system.

you could combine both options and then you'd have a quick way of restoring your system.

the restore procedure would be
1. use ghost to reimage your machine (takes about 20 mins for our work image - has every program that we use at work, much quicker than doing it by hand)

2. use backup exec (or something similar) to restore your latest files & settings