Creating a backup of the list of system information is just as important as backing up personal information. Using a tool called System Information, you can list and save vital information about your computer. You can use this information if you ever want to replace hardware such as a nonworking network interface card or CD-ROM drive with the exact same model and type, if you need to replace a corrupt driver but don’t know its version or name, or if you need to view problem devices.
You open the System Information window by typing Msinfo32 in the Run box in XP, or in the Start Search window in Vista. Here are some of the items you can you can access and save information about:
* Hardware, including name, model, manufacturer, and type
* Display settings, including color planes, drivers, IRQ channels, and resolution
* Input devices, such as their type, driver, and manufacturer
* Network connections, adapter types, and protocols used
* Available ports, including serial, parallel, USB, and FireWire
* Printers and print jobs
* Storage devices, including drivers, disks, SCSI, and IDE
* Signed drivers
* Running services
* Microsoft applications
This is just a smattering of what is included in the report. If you have a full report saved though, you can save a technician time when they need to replace a part or find a driver or repair your computer. The technician can also view the running services, problem devices, and other information when troubleshooting a problematic computer.
While the information from System Information is only a list of components, drivers, and internal parts and workings, you can also physically back up important system files such as the Registry, fonts, drivers, and downloaded updates and service packs. You should do this occasionally, perhaps two or three times a year.
To create a backup of this data, click File and click Export to create the first report and click File and click Save to create a backup of that! In an emergency, you'll have two options to work with.
