Windows 7: Create a System Repair Disc

Using Windows 7 Backup and Restore, I am attempting to create a disc to save:

"Create a System Repair Disc"

However, when I put in a blank DVD-R disc, that's not been used, the message comes up:

"The disc in the selected drive is not blank"



I've tested the DVD disc and it comes out fine.

How to Create a System Repair CD

System Repair Disc - Create

As theog points out, you need a blank CD-R, not a DVD-R.

You can use either a CD or DVD to create a system repair disc with. I have done both, and used a DVD-R and DVD+R without issue.

The DVD will have to be unformatted and blank though.

Likewise I use DVDs for system repair disks and most other situations that aren't specifically audio/music related. Live boots fire up faster with DVDs as well.

Perhaps it's a computer related issue. I tried making a system repair disk using a DVD on my Dell Vostro. Didn't work. Same DVD but on my Sony Vaio. Worked just fine.

There you go. Surprised, but a fact is a fact.
I thought it was just down to both having the El Torito Bootable CD Specification - there's obviously more to it.

Edit: It may be generally useful to get an idea of who else has experienced problems replacing a system repair CD with a DVD.

You can also simply make a bootable system repair flash drive with easybcd and the RE files on the hard disk.

I'm not technically sophisticated so some of these answers beg, for me, more questions. For example, how do I do this?

"You can also simply make a bootable system repair flash drive with easybcd and the RE files on the hard disk."

The bit about formatting I did understand though. How do I un-format and make blank a DVD disc? I have a few formatted ones here I can use.

Now that you have the system repair disk, it doesnt really matter but anyhoo...

Make a bootable flash drive. I use this method:

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Dont dump the Windows 7 iso contents to the flash drive, instead copy all the files off the repair disk you created and paste them to the flash drive. Just paste them as they are, dont make any folders etc. Thats it. make sure the computer is set to boot from usb first.

Using the RE files on the hard disk is slightly more involved so we'll let it be.