Backing up XP

[StreetEndBoy]

I am running Win XP but would like to start using open source stuff Mozilla,Firefox etc. Can I back up XP to disc? XP was pre-installed so have no original discs. I want to back it up in case I need to go back to using it. Help please!

[Wolfeymole]

Firefox should not cause you any problems at all Street.
You make it sound like Firefox is similar to Linux.
Linux is an operating system
Firefox is a browser like IE or Opera.

[rojash]

I use loads of open source software (Thunderbird, Firefox, OpenOffice). As Wolfeymole says, they have nowt to do with whether or not you are running XP. You don't need to remove anything, so (for this reason at least) you don't need to back up.

On the other hand, if XP was pre-installed, you should at least have a recovery partition. Most (but not all) manufacturers who supply systems without a CD at least supply a utility that allows you to build your own recovery CD from this partition. Check the documentation that came with your PC.

[ACtheTROLL]

To answer your question - Yes

either buy acronis true image
it's very good - comes with restore discs and everything
virtually foolproof for newbs

or try (free)
http://selfimage.excelcia.org/
or
http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm
or
http://www.miray.de/products/sat.hdclone.html

[ACtheTROLL]

I'm having a blond moment ....
If you are using Ultimate - there is an option to do this built in control panel goto backup and restore ... follow the prompts