Using the Built-In Windows Backup Utility

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The various versions of Windows backup software are fairly similar, so the discussion here simply goes through the steps for backing up Windows 2000 Professional. Those using different Windows systems should be able to follow these steps with minor adjustments specific to NT or XP. Additional data on Windows 2000 backup features, as well as instruction for other versions of Windows, are available on Microsoft's Web site.

Windows Backup can be accessed through the Start Menu (Start → Programs→ Accessories → System Tools → Backup), through a command prompt (ntbackup), or through a batch file. The Welcome screen has buttons for three wizards (backup, restore, and emergency repair disks). If you are already familiar with carrying out backups, skip the wizard and go straight to one of the other tabs (Backup, Restore, or Schedule) to set the backup parameters.

To change the defaults, click on the Tools menu and select Options. If a wizard is used, it first asks you to designate which items to back up: all files on the computer, just the system-state data, or particular files, drives, or network data. If you opt to backup only certain selected data, the wizard takes you to a Windows Explorer type of screen where you click on the boxes next to the items you want to backup. To backup data contained on a remote rather than local computer, click on the + sign next to the item titled My Network Places to open up a tree showing the other computers that can be accessed and backed up from that location.

The next page, Where To Store the Backup, has a pull-down menu to select the media type. Windows Backup supports local and remote hard drives, tapes, floppies, CD-ROMs, and Zip drives. Below that menu lies a window to type in the backup filename or media name. A button is also provided to browse to the backup location. Once the backup location has been designated, clicking Next brings up a screen summarizing the selections made so far. If everything is correct, click on Finish. For other options, click on the Advanced button. In the next window, you will be able to select the type of backup (from the five discussed above), whether or not to compress the data, and whether to append the backup to the existing backup file or overwrite it. You also have the option of scheduling a time for the backup to occur (e.g., once a day at noon or at midnight.) The wizard then takes you to the screen summarizing your selections. Click Finish to execute the backup.

Microsoft includes a backup utility as part of its Windows 2000 package that is a light version of the VERITAS Software Corporation utility. Like the defrag program that comes with Windows 2000, it is probably good enough for an individual at home but lacks key network functionality such as scheduling, compression, and encryption. For network use, utilizing the complete version of the VERITAS Backup Exec or another full-featured backup program such as Computer Associates' BrightStor/ARCServe Backup is essential.

Emergency Repair Disk and Restore Functions

Windows Backup has two additional functions — creating an emergency repair disk (ERD) and Restore. These functions are accessed from the same screen as the backup functions. Creating an ERD is extremely simple. After opening Windows Backup, just click on the Emergency Repair Disk tab, insert a 3.5-inch floppy, and click OK. The software will then copy certain settings and files to the floppy that might help start Windows after a crash. As part of creating an ERD, current system settings are saved in the systemroot\repair folder. Deleting or changing this folder may render the ERD inoperable. A new ERD should be made whenever any system changes are made, such as installing a new service pack.

Like Backup, the Restore function can be done using a wizard or by going directly to the Restore tab. Select the items to be restored and where to place them; the default calls for them to be returned to their original locations, but another address can be specified. The option of restoring existing files is also presented; the default is not to do this, as it will wipe out any changes made to the files since the last backup.

For domain controllers, data can be restored in three ways. When all the domain controllers are gone and the domain is being rebuilt from the backup, use Primary Restore. To restore a single domain controller when the other domain controllers are still active, select Non-Authoritative Restore. The backed up data may be out of date, but this method allows the restored data to be brought current by the other domain controllers; this is the default setting. A third option is performing an Authoritative Restore, which results in rolling back the entire network to the data contained in the backup.

Additional XP Backup Features

In addition to the standard backup and restore features, XP comes with several built-in disaster recovery options not found in previous Windows systems. Except as noted, these tools can be used in either safe or normal mode and operate through a graphical user interface (GUI). These tools include:

• Last Known Good Configuration — This is a startup option. If the system cannot be started in normal or safe mode following the installation of a driver or application, this tool allows the user to reverse the most recent driver and registry changes.

• Device Driver Roll Back — This tool allows the user to replace an individual device driver with the previously installed version.

• System Restore — This tool monitors and records changes to system files, certain application files, and the registry. It also allows the user to undo recent changes and revert the system to a previous state.

• Recovery Console — This is a command line tool for manual recovery operations when Last Known Good Configuration and safe mode did not resolve the problem.

• Automated System Recovery — This is a last step before reformatting the disk and reinstalling the data when boot and system files become corrupt. It has a GUI to be used for creating a backup floppy, but the restoration is done in text mode. Using ASR does not reformat the disk, but it will at least restore the system settings and certain critical files on the boot and system partitions.

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