I've written an Ubuntu program to expedite some things I do on my computer. If interested, you're welcome to download and use it. I call it QuickStart (screen shots and installation file are attached below) and with it you can:

1. Install the proper DVD & Codecs files so you can play a DVD in your drive using Totem, etc. (works with 7.04 / 7.10 / 8.04 /8.10 / 9.04) (32-bit / 64-bit). Please be patient on this one. Sometimes the first 2 of 6 files can take a couple minutes to finish downloading. Don't panick...

2. Back-up Your /home folders using TAR compression

3. Back-up Your / folders using TAR compression

4. Back-up Your Configuration files separately (fstab, device.map, mtab, menu.lst, and xorg.conf) using TAR compression

5. Image your Ubuntu Operating System, Master Boot Record (MBR), and Partition Table.

6. Create a Custom Scheduled (Recurring) Back-up (daily, weekly, or monthly). You decide the exact date and time

7. Create a Scheduled 1:1 Synchronized Back-Up of Selected Folders to Another Drive/Partition.

8. Restore Your System /home folders

9. Restore Your / folders

10. Restore Your configuration files

11. Install some common applications we all use with one click of your mouse. Nice when you're starting from scratch (clean install)

12. House Cleaning (delete unnecessary files throughout your computer).

13. View or Edit Your Key Files (fstab, menu.lst, and xorg.conf).

14. Back-up Your Master Boot Record (MBR).

15. Back-up Your Microsoft Windows Partition (dual booters) While in Ubuntu.

16. Format Windows Partition in NTFS with gParted.

17. Restore Your Master Boot Record (MBR).

18. Restore a Windows back-up file (image) while in Ubuntu. I've restored my entire Windows XP setup with all apps in less than 15 minutes. Nice!

19. QuickStart notifies you when updates are available. Download them with a click of the mouse.

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How to download and install QuickStart (Please follow these instructions exactly as they are written) :

1. Left-click the "Install_QuickStart.sh" file below (Just above the first picture ) and save it to your DESKTOP

2. RIGHT click the "Install_QuickStart.sh" file on your DESKTOP and select Properties, then select the Permissions tab at the top, and ensure the 'Execute' check-box is checked towards the bottom where it says 'Allow executing file as program'. Close window.

3. If you installed the Ubuntu 32-bit OS you can skip this step. If you installed the Ubuntu 64-bit OS, open a terminal window and copy/paste the following, so your system can run 32-bit applications: sudo apt-get install lib32z1 lib32ncurses5 lib32bz2-1.0

4. Click or double-click the "Install_QuickStart.sh" file now located on your Desktop and select RUN IN TERMINAL

You will now have a QuickStart icon in your menu ( Applications -> Accessories -> QuickStart )

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1.) Please subscribe to this thread if you plan on using this program as some postings will be of interest to you.

2.) QuickStart is free to use, but not open source. If that's problematic for you, I recommend you don't download/use it.

3.) Want to look at the QuickStart help file? Go to: http://quickstartdownload.pbworks.com/QuickStart-Help

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The QuickStart installation file can be found after last image below.