Disaster Recovery Instructions for Windows XP (Home Edition and Professional) Computers

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with step-by-step instructions to make the disaster recovery process easy. Disaster can strike in varying degrees. When you have hardware failure, you may need to replace your old hard drive with a new one. Or, you may find that you need to reformat your existing drive because you are experiencing operating system problems. If you find yourself in one of these situations, you can use this information as a guide to quickly recover your computer and its files.

You will need to format your new hard drive, install Windows, and connect to the Data Repository Manager to obtain your files. To do this you will need the following items:

Required Items
Windows XP CD-ROM with product license key number
(usually found on the CD sleeve, jewel case, or on a sticker on the cover of the User Guide)
Network Card Adapter Driver Disk *
(ask your Network Administrator if you do not have this item)
* Only needed if Windows CANNOT properly detect your network card.

1. Configuration Summary
2. Installing Windows XP
3. Restoring Your Files with Backup for Workgroups 

1. Configuration Summary for Vicki.

Configuration Summary:

Operating System: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

Windows User Name: Vicki 

Computer Name: VMUELLER

Network Domain or Workgroup: WORKGROUP

Windows Installation Folder: C:\WINDOWS

Drive Partition Table
Drive Size Format Type Label
C: 76285 MB NTFS  

NetworkCard Information
Adapter Name Enable DHCP IPAddress SubnetMask Default Gateway
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Yes 192.xxx.x.xx 255.xxx.xxx.x 192.xxx.x.x

2. Installing Windows XP  

The first step is to Install a temporary copy of the Windows XP Operating System (OS). We refer to this OS installation as "temporary" because Backup for Workgroups will re-install a complete copy of your original OS for you. All Backup for Workgroups needs is the most basic Windows installation to run and access your network. As a result, the following instructions walk you through the installation of this base, temporary copy of Windows XP.

  1. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM, and turn on your computer.  You will want to boot your computer from the Windows XP CD.  If your computer does not boot from the CD, you may need to change your BIOS settings to set the boot sequence to allow it to boot from the CD.

    (For information on how to change your BIOS settings, please contact your computer manufacturer.)
     
  2. The Windows XP Setup program blue screen will appear, and will scan your computer to determine if it needs to load any drivers for your hard drive.  When this scan is complete you can select to Setup Windows XP or Repair and Existing Installation.  

    Since you have a new, empty hard disk, select to Setup Windows XP by pressing Enter.
     
  3. On the License Agreement screen press the F8 key to accept the license agreement.
     
  4. The Setup program display the existing drive partition table.  When you have a new drive, this table will be blank.  Use the table below to setup the size of your partitions.  You should make the new partitions at least as large as the partitions you had on your original hard drive.
     
    Drive Partition Table
    Drive Size Format Type Label
    C: 76285 MB NTFS  

     
    Select the line labeled "Unpartitioned Space" and then press "C" to create a partition in this space.  Enter the size of this partition based on the table above, press Enter.  Repeat until you have created the same number of partitions listed in the above table.
     
  5. Now that you have created your drive partitions, you need to install Windows to the same drive is was installed on before, which for your computer was: "C:\WINDOWS".  Select the partition that corresponds to this drive and press Enter.
     
  6. After selecting the partition, the Setup program offers to format the partition using FAT or NTFS.  

    Refer to the Drive Partition Table above.  If your drive has the Format Type of "NTFS", then choose "Format the partition using the NTFS file system".  If it has the Format Type of "FAT" or "FAT16" choose "Format the partition using the FAT file system."

    When using a brand new hard drive, we recommend performing a full format of the hard drive and not choosing the "quick" option that may be available.

    Note:  If you are setting up a partition greater than 2.0 GB you must select NTFS.
     
  7. The Setup program will now format the partition, which will take some time.  After your new partition is formatted, the Setup program will copy files it needs to the drive.  When the Setup program has completed copying the files to your drive it will restart your computer.
     
  8. When your computer restarts, you need it to boot from the hard drive.  Do not press any keys or choose any options if a "Boot from the CD" prompt appears.
     
  9. The Windows XP graphical Setup program will start and install devices and perform the tasks needed to install Windows.  This step will take awhile.
     
  10. On the "Regional and Language Options" screen, Windows will display its default settings.  If these are correct, press Next. If the default settings are not correct, us the Customize and Details buttons to make any necessary changes, then press Next.
     
  11. On the "Personalize Your Software" screen, enter your User Information.  In the User Name field, enter:  "Vicki," enter your company name in the Company field, and press Next.
     
  12. On the "Your Product Key" screen, enter your Product Key and press Next.
    (The Windows Product Key can usually be found on the back of the CD sleeve, jewel case, or on the front of the Windows User Manual.)
     
  13. On the "Computer Name and Administrative Password" screen, enter your Computer Name as “VMUELLER” and enter the password you want to establish for the administrator.  Note this password will be rest to your previous administrator's password after the restore is complete, press Next.
     
  14. If you have a modem, you will see the "Modem Dialing Information" screen.  Enter your country, area code and other options and press Next.
    If you do not have a modem, you will not see this screen.  
     
  15. On the "Date and Time Settings" screen, select the appropriate time zone and press Next.
     
  16. The Setup program will now configure your network settings.  Refer to the table below which contains your network settings.  If all of your network adapters use DHCP for the IP Address, select Typical Settings.  If you use static IP Addresses you need to select Custom Settings and Press Next.
     
    Adapter Name Enable DHCP IPAddress SubnetMask Default Gateway
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Yes 192.xxx.x.xx 255.xxx.xxx.x 192.xxx.x.x

     
    If you selected Custom Settings then highlight the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press the Properties Button.  Use the information in the table above to configure your network settings.  On the General panel – Select  “Use the following IP address” and enter the IP address, its associated subnet mask, and default gateway.
     
  17. On the "Workgroup or Computer Domain" screen, select "Yes, make this computer a member of the following domain" if you are using a domain controller and this computer is a member of a domain enter the domain name" WORKGROUP".  Otherwise select "No, this computer is not on a network with a domain controller" and enter "WORKGROUP" as the Workgroup name.
     
  18. The Setup program will complete the setup, which will take several minutes, then it will restart your computer.
     
  19. After your computer restarts, you will be prompted to personalize your installation.  Press the Next button in the lower right-hand corner.
     
    Depending on who you bought your copy of Windows XP from, the following steps may be in a different order.
     
  20. On the "Register with Microsoft" screen, choose "No" (option 2) and press Next.
    Since this is just a temporary copy of Windows, you don't need to register this copy.
     
  21. On the "Do you want to set up Internet Access now" screen choose "No" (option 2) and press Next. 
    Since this is just a temporary copy of Windows, you don't need to set up Internet access at this point.
     
  22. When asked if you are ready to activate Windows, select "No" (option 2) and press Next.  

    Since this is just a temporary copy of Windows, you do not need to activate this copy.  Your original copy will be restored, and if you need to activate Windows XP, you will want to activate your restored copy.
     
  23. On the "Who Will Use this Computer" screen, enter your name in the "Your Name" field and press Next.
     
  24. On the "Thank You" screen, press Finish.  Your setup is now complete and you can proceed to the next section.

3. Restoring Your Files with Backup for Workgroups

When you have a hard drive with an operational temporary/base copy of Windows XP installed and your network access configured, you are ready to reinstall your Backup for Workgroups client software. With Backup for Workgroups reinstalled on your computer, you can let it finish restoring your computer to its original state - at the point of your last complete backup.  

To Reinstall the Backup for Workgroups Client Software:

  1. Locate and run the Backup for Workgroups setup program.  

    If you have the Backup for Workgroups CD, insert it in your CD drive. The setup program should automatically run from the CD. If it does not, double-click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, right-click on your CD drive and choose "Open."  This will launch the bfwsetup.exe program.

    If you do not have the Backup for Workgroups CD, go to the Backup for Workgroups Data Repository Manager.  At the Data Repository Manager computer, navigate to the directory in which you installed the Data Repository Manager program.  In this directory, you will find a copy of the setup program, "bfwsetup.exe."  Place a copy of this setup program in a shared folder that can be accessed by your computer.  Return to your computer and run the setup program bfwsetup.exe.
      
  2. On the "License Agreement" screen, choose "I Agree" and press Next.
     
  3. On the "Data Repository Manager or Client Installation" screen, choose “Backup Client” and press Next.
     
  4. On the "Backup Client Installation Directory" screen, you need to install Backup for Workgroups to the same directory it was originally installed to, which for your computer is: “C:\Program Files\Lockstep\BackupForWorkgroups Client”.  Press Next.
     
  5. Backup for Workgroups installs the files it needs and when complete, the Backup Client Setup program runs.  Press Next.
     
  6. On the User Account screen:

            Enter the Data Repository Manager name:  “DATAREPOSITORY”

            If you use a modem to access your network, select "Yes" to activate dial-up networking.  
            (If you do not have a modem installed, this option will be grayed out.)

            Enter your User Name:  “Vicki”.

            Type your password into the Password field. 
            This is the password you use when accessing your account at the Backup for Workgroups Data Repository Manager.

            Press the Test button to verify your settings. 
            Make any changes needed until you successfully login to the Backup for Workgroups Data Repository Manager. 
            Once you have successfully logged into the Data Repository Manager, press Close to close the Test screen.  

            Press Next.
     
  7. The Backup Client Setup wizard will now log into the Backup for Workgroups Data Repository Manager and synchronize information. When this is completed, the Setup Wizard advances to the next panel.
     
  8. When prompted to run the Backup for Workgroups Administrator or to perform a Disaster Recovery, select "Disaster Recovery" (option 2). Press Finish. Press Yes twice to confirm your selection indicating that you want to restore all of your files.
     
  9. Backup for Workgroups will now restore your computer to the state of your last backup. Backup for Workgroups will automatically replace your temporary, base copy of Windows with the complete copy of Windows that was running at the time of your last backup. It will also restore your Registry, applications, service packs, device drivers, and reconstruct your data files. The time needed to complete this process is dependent on the number of files you had on your computer, the speed of your network and the speed of your computer.
     
  10. When the restoration process is complete, press Close.  You will be prompted to restart your computer. Press Yes to restart your computer now.
     
  11. Windows will detect that you have changed your hard drive.  At the "System Settings Change" dialog box, press Yes to restart your computer.
     
  12. After restarting, your computer should now be back to the exact point of your last complete backup.

Backup for Workgroups and this disaster recovery report are copyright, Lockstep Systems, Inc. 2003-2007.
For more information about backup and disaster recovery please visit our web site at http://www.backup-for-workgroups.com