I need to copy my C: drive, to my D: drive

[Kilikina_37]

Including the OS. I have aleady downloaded the freeware FB Backup program, I am just not really certain of how I save C: to D: which is a CD-ROM.
First, a little about the system I currently have. The processor is an Intel Pentium III, 803 Mhz, and 128 MB RAM. The OS is Windows XP 2002, Service Pack 1. Under the System tab, in hardware profile, it states the computer is"Advanced Config. & Power Interface (ACPI) PC". Also, I have cable(Broadband) Internet Access.
Now let me explain why I need to do this type of backup of my system and its applications. When this computer was first constructed for me I was running NT, it crashed very shortly after I got it, and regrettably I was never able to acquire any of the system disks for this machine. Due to a tight budget, I was unable to afford to go out and buy all of the software which I required in order to get the sytem back up and running.
Therefore a friend of mine graciously loaned me their OS disk(w/reg key# inclded) the XP OS currently installed. I reformatted the hard drive so as not to create a partition, running two different OS's. And for the most part,short of a few minor bugs, it now runs perfectly smooth.
Now, finally, the problem, I cannot activate this OS, as it has already been. Therefore I will more than likely have to re-install the OS again, thereby losing all other data and files, folders, & saved docs I now have on my system.
I would ultimately like to be able to just re-install the OS and then use back up disk to put everything I else I need and want back onto after the re-install. Is this Possible. Oh yes, by the way, the CD-R/RW drive is a Samsung 52/24/52 drive.

[Dave@Bytes]

You will be able to save your MY DOCUMENTS folder (or whatever folder you want) on CD/RW, then copy them back onto the system after the reinstall.

Do this by going into the software that came with the burner (Roxio or Nero?) Just drag and drop the folder.

Also, consider installing the free software Linux Mandrake--it's very similar to Windows. You download it from the mandrake site--it's like three 650 MB disks. Burn the ISO images onto disk, put the first disk into the Cd drive and reboot.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

[Kilikina_37]

I was actually reviewing those different OS earlier. Will installing your suggenstion alleviate me of the other "Activation" problem? As well as allow me to run all my other programs which are currently running on the XP technology?

Also, I have a couple of other little bugs I could use some help with as I suspect they are also connected to this conversion from NT Professional to XP Homeversion. May we discuss these as well?

[Dave@Bytes]

We're here for you...so discuss anything you like.

Mandrake is free, has it's own office programs (compatible with Word, Excel, Power Point, etc) But it is NOT Windows and Windows apps will not run.

There is a mini version that you can run right from CD....the name eludes me and I am short on time but I'll post it later. It's not Mandrake, which I prefer, but it's linux.

Post whatever question you like....I'll be back later.

[Kilikina_37]

Thank You, I do appreciate the help!!

One of the problems I am experiencing is;

1. I have no sound, since I did this OS conversion (NT to XP).
The typical Error message I receive is that there is no Sound card installed, however when running NT I did receive sound from my speakers, so I know I do have a Soundcard installed I am just not certain what kind, or why the XP just didn't install the appropriate drivers for the card when the conversion took place. Unless sound cards are not unversally compatible with most OS versions and technologies. I guess I just assumed they were. Could you please explain? Also, I have attempted to install new drivers for this device(yes, it does have a "?" mark located next to it, I do know that this does infact indicate a problem with the device!!) and once going through the Wizard it states it "cannot find the correct driver for this device because there is a problem with this device". So what else can be done?

[Dave@Bytes]

You can try running the XP Advisor, which tests your hardware with compatibility issues. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ng/advisor.asp

Otherwise, if you know the manufacturer of the sound card, go to their website and download the latest driver, delete the ? device and restart Windows. Once prompted, load the new driver.

Just download and run the compatibility test first.