How to Make a System Backup DVD for Windows XP

Creating Backup File
1. Click 'Start' and then 'Run.' Type 'ntbackup' in the 'Run' box and press 'Enter.'
2. Click 'Next' when the Backup and Restore Wizard opens. Select 'Back up files and settings.' Click 'Next.' Select 'Let me choose what to back up' and click 'Next.'
3. Click the 'plus' sign next to 'My Computer' in the 'Items to Back Up' list if 'My Computer' is not already expanded. Click the checkbox next to the letter of your primary hard drive (usually 'C:') to select it. Click 'System State' in the list to select it, which backs up Windows registry, boot files, files protected by Windows File Protection and other important system files. Click 'Next.'
4. Select 'File' in the 'Select the backup type' drop-down menu. Click the 'Browse' button in the 'Choose a place to save your backup' section. Navigate to a folder location on a drive on your computer and click 'OK' to select this location to which you want to save your backup file. Type a name for the backup in the space provided. Click 'Next.'
5. Click 'Finish' to start the backup. Review the 'Backup Progress' summary screen when the backup is complete. Close 'Close.'
Creating Backup DVD
6. Insert a DVD into your computer's DVD-R drive.
7. Click 'Start' and then 'Run.' Type 'explorer' in the 'Run' box and press 'Enter' to open Windows Explorer. Navigate to the folder location where you saved the backup file. Click the Windows Explorer title bar and drag the window over to the right side of the screen.
8. Click the 'Start' button and select 'My Computer' to open it. Double-click the DVD drive icon in the 'Devices with Removable Storage' section to open the drive.
9. Click on the backup file in the Windows Explorer window to select and highlight it. Click and drag the backup file from the Windows Explorer screen to the empty space in the DVD drive section in the 'My Computer' window.
10. Click the 'Write these Files to CD' option in the 'Tasks' section in the left column of 'My Computer.' Type a name for the DVD, if desired, in the CD Writing Wizard window that pops up. Click 'Next' to start and complete the DVD burning. Remove the DVD when it is ejected from your computer. Store it in a safe location.