I have a Windows 2000 member server that is used for file sharing. 
The server has a c: and a d: partition.  The c: partition has the
operating system and anti-virus software installed on it.  The d:
partition has data.

I currently use 3rd party backup software to perform a full backup of
the d: partition as well as the System State data nightly.

My colleague insists I should also backup the entire contents of the
c: partiton also.  Is this necessary?

Hello schnagel-ga,

The short answer is that you are correct in your assumption.

By backing up the contents of your D drive (data) and the system
state, you will be able to fully recover from a catostrophic failure
as long as you have all of the original discs for Windows 2000 and any
other software you had installed on your C drive. If this situation
did occur, you would proceed as follows:

1. Format both partitions
2. Reinstall Windows 2000
3. Restore your data back into the D drive
4. Set the system state in your W2K installation to what you have
backed up

In essence, you actually already have Windows and other software
"backed up" if you have the original installation discs. Explicitly
backing these up again would be redundant. What you are missing from
these is any configuration changes or settings you may have changed
from the default settings that are initiated upon installation. All of
this data is encapsulated within your System State backup.

This Microsoft article gives an example analagous to your situation,
where the concern is how to safely back up data and cofiguration
settings under Windows 2000:

http://www.microsoft.com/Exchange/techinfo/tips/Svr_Metabase.asp

If you have any problems understanding the information above feel free
to post a clarification :)

Hope that helps!

answerguru-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by answerguru-ga on 17 Dec 2002 10:57 PST

You may also be interested in knowing more details on how to restore
the system state in Windows 2000. That information is outlined here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q240363

Exactly what I thought.  Thanks for the quick response.