K, I set up a peer-to=peer on ws2003 (stroage server) for a 6 user office. Quickbooks is in and the default firewall is up along with a different virus package on each XP system, shessh! The file server has a Perc5 card and is hosting 3 drives in a raid 5 config (I'll be looking to add a drive and move to a 5 + 1 w/ e-mail notification) I am looking into backups. The system came with a tape backup drive (replete with 6 tapes) I need to know if it is actually possible to rebuild the system from a tape backup. My xp eperience demonstrates that backups are always iffy. Anyone have a suggestion that they actually have seen work? Thanks to you for even reading this ~bob

In my experience backup's are onlyu "iffy" if not created properly and not tested properly. Once you've created the backup set and ensured it's working properly, it's of extreme importance to test the restore process. Here's a link to How to schedule unattended backups using a stand-alone tape library on microsoft's website. This is a must read if you plan on using ntbackup. Oh and to answer your other question, Yes, it's possible to rebuild a system from a properly created and tested backup.

Thank you , Curt R, for your straight forward, cogent answer. Much apreciated. The best method I've seen, so far, for recovery includes loading a system (to stand alone),,, load it again to the /temp directory,,, run windows from the /temp and restore to the root directory. Seems a bit primitive,,, much the same as loading w9x to 2k/xp system in order to get a dual boot to load properly... Any thoughts?