Backup on Windows XP SP 1/2

[frummaceuk]

I have a laptop running XP sp 1 or 2 im not sure. Asking me to update to SP3, I need to backup my system. As I do not have an ide-usb cable, nor a dvd burner on this laptop, I have decided to partition the hardrive and backup to the partition. I was wondering if i could do this from within windows, and if so, would i run the risk of losing all my data in the process of partitioning? If that is the case, then I would be stuck in a perpetual cycle of attempting to back up! lol
please help soon!

 

[tremmor]

im taking it its a older computer. no usb port?
it would be a lot safer from dos mode if your using a 3-1/2 disk drive.
software is available for windows like partition magic and others that will do this from windows. (if your sheet is running good). another suggestion would be take to a friends house and share as a net work. then backup what ya want. if ya have a usb then back up to microdrive. ive never had a problem taking security and critical update at microsoft. but yes, this can be an issue.

 

[PC eye]

In order to create a second storage partition like tremmor stated you will need a 3rd party partitioning tool in order to first shrink the current primary down in size. The amount of free drive space available will determine how far that can be shrunk.

Once the primary is reduced in size enough you can then create a new partition regardless if it is a second primary type or extended and see that formatted in the Disk Management tool. To find that go to "Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management>Storage" and click on the plus sign next to the Storage item. To see the new partition then formatted you simply right click on the new volume listed and select format from the right click menu.

SP3 may or may not see any problem going on. But whenever installing any large update or long list of updates you may want to manually create a system restore point first in the event of a bad install. The option to create a new point is seen on the same screen as choosing to use on to bring the system back. "Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore"

To avoid some problems seen at the update site some have reported from selecting the IT developers version the second mirror not the first seen at the link here is for the large service pack seeing an exe file extension. The 3rd mirror is an iso disk image you first burn to a cd-r and not for you at this time while usable if you have more then one system. http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Windows-XP-SP3-Download-90001.html

The reason for being some 310mb in size is that the redistributed version also sees a roll up of other small updates and will detect which ones are already installed when installing.