Does anyone know how i could make a bootable backup copy of my winxp?Just copying is easy, but my copies are not bootable, so they just end up in the bin.

Use a better copying program?

Any backup copies I've made have worked just fine, whether they were created with Nero or with CloneCD. You're actiually using a CD copy routine, are you, and not just dragging/dropping the CD contents from one drive to another?

Have a look at this site.

Don't see why all that is necessary, Laser, when a straightforward disk cloning program will do the trick!

Mainly to include service pack 1 or 2 as my original xp pro has no service packs; and also if i recall correctly when i tried backing up with Nero or clonecd or cdrwin i always ended up with a cd that wouldn't boot or prompted for files from the a: drive. Must have missed a setting or something; all i know is Bart's way worked for me first shot and i don't have to immediately update on a reload cuz i'm going directly to XP Pro SP2.

P.S. I'm one of those people that ' if it ain't broke, tweak it!' I don't use System Restore and my best cure for any computer headache is a clean install.

People who adopt the "if it ain't broke, tweak it" are usually the ones who HAVE to format and install when things go wrong

Guilty as charged. I've found that XP is extremely stable, even when tweaked and I haven't had to reload in over a year.

Probably shouldn't have said that :eek:

I forget the exact terminology for it, but you can do a technique called "slipstreaming" to include service packs, applications, or other items into the standard Windows installation media. Try doing a Google search for that.