To backup everything on your hard drive,
assuming that you have adequate disk space, is to use the Backup Wizard and tell it to backup everything to a file.
You can access the backup Wizard in at least two ways:
1: Go to Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup
2: Go to My Computer and right click on your C:\ drive and select Properties. From the properties sheet choose Tools > Backup
Windows XP will create "shadow copies" of files in use, freezing them at the moment they are being backed up, so you will have a pretty good representation of every file and folder on your computer.
Please do yourself a favor and run virus and spyware scans first, and turn OFF System Restore (you can turn it back on after backup has completed), and empty temporary internet and other temporary files that are not required, as well as any remnants of failed installations or uninstallations.
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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
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