Hello!Everyone.Is there any backup software (Open-source,free) which can be used on Windows XP?NTFS system format.

Thanks a million.

u can use dd to clone your disk/partition.
or are you searching for a ghost-like/explorer-like cloning prog?

Yeah,Ghost like program.But I have doubt that is "dd" gonna work on Windows XP??

You should take a look at Arkeia Lite.

www.arkeia.com

The lite version allows one client backup. It can be XP or another Linux box etc...

partimage, g4u, mondo rescue.

Partimage NTFS support is currently experimental. You have to defragment your NTFS partiton before proceeding with an image. No experience with the others, so no comment.

Partimage is out (Due to NTFS support is experimental),g4u is temporarily out (The website is un-reachable) and arkeia is a 30 days trial on Windows.What should I use??

P.S. Indeed,I want to use backup software besides Ghost because it cannot perform schedule backup.I would not waste my time on doing backup on my own...

Don't let that fool you. It works fine for me.

Really?

But I still have to make some test on it.

Thanks a lot.

Your welcome!

Before backing up the ntfs or vfat partitions, you should run defrag and scandisk.
Also, backup the MBR and partition table to a file which you can restore.
I use sfdisk or dd for that part....

Save the ENTIRE PARTITION TABLE to a file using sfdisk.
sfdisk –d /dev/hda > /mnt/images/backup/partfile

If you have an Extended partition, sfdisk may give you an error when you try to restore.
In this case, it's better to use dd to backup and restore the partition table.
dd if=/dev/hda of=/mnt/images/backup/mbrfile bs=512 count=1

homey, thanks for your in-depth explanation to me.

Indeed,I have to tell you some of my details.I have a Dell Inspiron 300m notebook with no floppy & CD drive.(Because my budget is very tight).Also,I know that backup is necessary for my notebook once it's not functional.And I think about using Network backup with Ghost.However,I don't have a floppy drive! Then, I am in search of a software which can do what Ghost does and performs schedule backup.

BTW,do you know how to make a bootdisk for Ghost using USB pendrive?If it's feasible,all the question can be solved. Because I have a desktop for me to perform network backup.

Thanks again.

Sorry, never made a usb boot system. You could check out some of the linux live cds like feather or similar.

I dont know if it is available for windows but I really like Mondo Rescue.

You could consider using ntfsclone. It is part of ntfsprogs(ntfstools in debian). You can read the man page here:

http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/man/ntfsclone.html