Hello,I'm running a backup on my XP machine using the File and Settings Transfer Wizard. (Preparatory to trying an XP repair install for a startup problem, but that's a different story...) I am writing to an external HD via a USB2 connection.The FAST Wizard appears to be running, but it is taking forever...24 hours and counting! Yes, there are a lot of files on this computer (>40 G or so), but seems really weird for it to need so long to run. It does look like it's running normally, except for the speed.Can this possibly be normal? If I'd had any idea it was going to take so long, I'd have chosen another alternative for backup! Any info appreciated, thanks!

Hi TOBmed,What is the status of the transfer wizard now?Ideally, it should not take such a long time. However, it depends on the computer configuration and the hard disk space etc.If the backup is not yet made or it has not reached anywhere, then we can try to cancel the same and redo it in clean boot state.Clean boot will start Windows XP by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs and helps to eliminate software conflicts.The following link has steps showing how to perform clean boot: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Note: Please ensure that the computer is set to start as usual by following the section ‘Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state’ from the article: How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.