Getting Started & User Guide.

Introduction

This guide is designed to get you going with AISBackup, and introduce some functionality that may not be obvious at first sight.

For help with specific backup and restore topics download a PDF Guide.

You may also navigate this user guide by clicking on the AISBackup buttons on the images.

PDF Guides

Unless otherwise stated these instructions work with: 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2000 and Windows NT4.

• PC backup to disk, external disk, network disk or DVD and Bootable Restore CD Set-up:
  Last updated: 14 September 2011
  This guide explains step-by-step how to make a backup of your PC suitable for disaster recovery and ad-hoc restoring of documents etc.
  
  The guide also shows you how to make the AISBackup bootable recovery CD, bootable USB external drive or bootable USB flash drive.
  
  The guide also shows you how to make a single backup job backup to multiple external drives to facilitate on-site and off-site backups.
  
  Click to Download the PDF Guide.

• How to use the AISBackup Disaster Recovery Restore Media (CD, DVD, Flash Drive or External Drive):
  Last updated: 14 September 2011
  This guide explains step-by-step how restore your PC following a disaster or if requested to during a normal restore.
  
  The restore media provides a much better solution to doing the equivalent a factory reset on your PC as the restore will be based on a more recent copy of your PC's files than a factory reset will provide (after all your pictures, music and documents were not already on your PC when you purchased it).
  
  This guide also shows you how to use the advanced options of the restore media, for example changing drive letter assignments, editing the registry.
  
  Instructions on how to make the restore media are shown in the PC backup to disk.... guide, above..
  
  Click to Download the PDF Guide.

• How to restore documents, e-mail and address book from a Windows XP or Windows 2000 backup to Windows 7 or Windows Vista:
  Last updated: 4 January 2010
  This guide shows you step-by-step how to take a backup from a Windows XP computer and restore the documents, favourites, e-mail, address book and AISBackup registration key file to a Windows 7 PC or Windows Vista PC. The guide shows you how to import Outlook Express e-mail into the replacement Windows Mail program.
  These instructions will also work with backups made on Windows 95, 98, 98SE and Windows ME.
  
  Click to Download PDF Guide.

• PC Disaster Recovery Restore using Windows Vista or Windows 7 set-up DVD:
  Last updated: 31 December 2009
  This guide explains step-by-step how to make a restore of your PC using a Windows 7 or Windows Vista set-up DVD. Use this option if you did not make the disaster recovery media (CD, DVD, flash drive or external drive).
  
  Click to Download the PDF Guide.

• Repair the Windows Boot Menu:
  Last updated: 16 January 2011
  This guide explains step-by-step how to repair the Windows boot menu and covers dual booting Windows 7 or Windows Vista and Windows XP. Please note that the guide is also suitable for the Windows Server operating system's.
  
  Click to Download the PDF Guide.

Contents

1. Registering AISBackup.
2. Set-up the Program Settings and Options.
3. The Main Form.
4. Cue Card.
5. Create and run a backup job with 4 clicks of the mouse.
6. Creating a Customised Backup Job.
7. Creating a Backup Job to an FTP Server.
8. Selecting which files are to be backed up.
9. Performing a Backup.
10. Copying a backup to CD using AISBackup or using a third party CD Mastering Application.
11. Backup Prompts and Messages.
12. Performing a Simple Restore.
13. Restore Advanced Features.
14. Finishing a Restore on Windows XP or 2000 using the Microsoft Recovery Console.
15. Restore Prompts and Messages.
16. Tutorial on backup sessions.
17. Automatically running backup jobs.
18. Managing Jobs.
19. Validating the Contents of a Backup.
20. Operating System Backup's.
21. Disaster Recovery Operating System Restores.
22. Creating a 'ready to go' backup of Windows to a USB or FireWire drive.
    This option is suitable for disaster recovery backups of Windows.

Backup / Restore Scenarios 

1. Secure the contents of the C: drive so that the system can be restored following complete destruction of the Hard Drive.
2. Disaster Recovery Windows 2000 or XP.
3. I have the backup created in section 1. I have physically replaced my C: drive, it is totally blank and needs formatting. What do I do???