My operating system (vista) crashed and all i had was a windows xp install disc that lasts for 30 days before you have to activate it. I need to back up my hard drive so when it does finish the trial, i still have my data without going into safe mode. theres 25gb of used space on the hard drive now so it isnt too much. Any help would be great
Backing up hdd without an external drive
- Thread starter jshoop
- Start date
Solution
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,650
- 18,018
- 184,590
Backing up the entire Windows install to a stack of DVD's.
And you can't split out the applications to 'save' them to DVD. If you still have them, the original install files, yes. The current applications in their installed state? No.
Games? Steam is easy to save, if you have enough space elsewhere.
- Dec 2, 2009
- 38,904
- 980
- 135,890
Its sounds like you're trying to 'get around' the 30 day trial by reinstalling every time its up...
reloading the backup made on day one won't work, it know the installation date and todays date...
reinstalling XP fresh every time is a major hassle, what with all the updates and then redownloading and installing all the programs...
As for Vista, you don't need YOUR disk. All you need is your product activation key and beg/borrow someone elses disk as long as its the exact same version of Vista. Please note that there is an OEM version of the various Vista versions as well as Upgrade and full Retail. so a Home starter OEM disk wont work with a home starter upgrade key
reloading the backup made on day one won't work, it know the installation date and todays date...
reinstalling XP fresh every time is a major hassle, what with all the updates and then redownloading and installing all the programs...
As for Vista, you don't need YOUR disk. All you need is your product activation key and beg/borrow someone elses disk as long as its the exact same version of Vista. Please note that there is an OEM version of the various Vista versions as well as Upgrade and full Retail. so a Home starter OEM disk wont work with a home starter upgrade key
The vista key on the back of computer says OEM in it so i dont think i can reactivate it. And thats exactly what i'm trying to do. I just need to wait until i get enough money to be able to buy a windows xp disc and key. I think i may use my flash drive and save the programs and files folder in chunks to a different computer, then transfer everything back. That should work, right? I'll be able to keep all the data and info from the programs and files once i update windows again and put in all the drivers.
- Dec 2, 2009
- 38,904
- 980
- 135,890
OEM vista can be reinstalled to the same computer it came on many times.
You also have the option of buying the factory restore disks for cheap from the manufacturer, like $10-20, and sometimes you can find them for downloading. Just make sure you virus scan the living daylights out of it before you use it.
You also have the option of buying the factory restore disks for cheap from the manufacturer, like $10-20, and sometimes you can find them for downloading. Just make sure you virus scan the living daylights out of it before you use it.
TRENDING THREADS
-
RTX 4060 Ti vs RX 7700 XT faceoff: Which midrange graphics card is superior?- Started by Admin
- Replies: 26
-
Question HELP !!!!! My Desktop PC randomly sends monitors to standby???
- Started by EpicsGamer
- Replies: 5
-
News Ryzen 9 7950X3D surfaces with 192MB L3 cache — 3D V-Cache ES CPU has 64MB more than retail CPU
- Started by Admin
- Replies: 10
-
News Nintendo obliterates 8,535 Yuzu repos — Nintendo's most effective DMCA takedown campaign in years
- Started by Admin
- Replies: 39
-
News AMD's gaming revenue nosedives 48%, not expected to recover until 2025
- Started by Admin
- Replies: 38
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram