How to Do Backup on FlashDrive when program Only Allows DVD?

HP Compaq 6000 ProMicrotower Lots of memory, Win 7 Professional 64 bit (I would try to get more info but I don't think this question will require that much info)

I came here a while back with a question about a possible bootlegged Win 7 OS on another computer that I was having problems with and with your help I discovered that it WAS bootlegged and that I did not have enough memory to run Win 7 on that computer.

I bought this refurbished computer a few days ago from a tech store and I am having problems with it and intend to take it back as I have a 180 day warranty. (I am pretty sure) Anyway, I want to do a backup of the system and my files because the tech store owner downloaded my hard drive from the first computer that went kaput recently onto this computer before I purchased it. Unfortunately, one of the problems I am having with this computer is that the DVD Drive doesn't read any media in the drive. I tried to upload Printer software and it wouldn't work. I tried to do a Backup with a new blank DVDRW and it said there was no media in the device. I tried several times. I feel pretty stupid for not checking the computer out myself while I was in the store, but it was such a small shop and I felt uncomfortable and there was no place to set anything up.

Having said that, I purchased a 14 GB Flashdrive at the time and I am new to those too. I have never had an occasion or the need to use a Flashdrive before, but I got it because, due to a suggestion from one of your experts, I was going to save an ABR File (I think those are the letters) and do a clean install on the other computer that you helped me with. Now, I see that it may be helpful in this instance since this computers DVD drive doesn't seem to work.
When I go to the Backup program, it seems to only want to allow me to use a DVD to backup with. The instructions say I can use an external hard drive or a usb flashdrive, but the program won't let go of saying use a DVD. How do I backup with a Flashdrive? Should I just insert it in the USB port and then click on backup and see if the backup destination changes? Maybe I should just go buy and external hard drive. I have never used one of those before either but it looked like a pretty handy thing to have.

I just can't afford to go an buy a new computer and this one seems to run pretty well. I have never heard such a quiet running computer in my life. It boots up fast, but there are several glitches going on. It freezes up on me and I can't get it to unfreeze with ctrl+alt+delete and I have to shut down manually and lose the unsaved data I was working on. There were funny/odd things happening on Youtube too. I was scrolling down a list of people that I like looking for a video and I noticed that they showed a picture the the person in question, but then had a description of totally unrelated videos to this person. It was the same on down the screen. When I was viewing a video and then scrolling down the thumbnails on the right side when I clicked on "more" at the end of the thumbnails, the "more" would just dissolve and go away every time. Never happened before, but it happens all the time on this computer. Depending on what site I am on, the videos seem to buffer a lot also.
I hate to say this because it is another "feel very stupid about it thing" but the tech guy dropped this entire desktop computer on a concrete floor just before he was about to download my old hard drive to it. It was about a 4 foot drop. But, when he plugged it in and turned it on, it started right up, windows booted up quickly and had a very clear stable picture, so I assumed that it must not have damaged things, but now, not so sure.
Long story for just a simple question, sorry. I plan on taking the long taxi ride back to the tech store tomorrow to take this one back, as he had several others I could look at. I just wanted to backup the drive myself so that I would not have to wait around in that tiny claustrophobic feeling shop too long. Plus, this one came with Microsoft Office and I have always wanted to have it but didn't want to have to pay for it. Again, I can see that I am volunteering way more information than is necessary. I have a tendency to do that. Again....my bad....
So, will I be able to do a backup with a flash drive when it only wants me to use a DVD? Thank you, in advance for your time and consideration. T

When I go to the Backup program, it seems to only want to allow me to use a DVD to backup with.The instructions say I can use an external hard drive or a usb flashdrive,

What instructions? You haven't told us what backup program you are trying to use.


Are you trying to make an image using Windows system image program ?

If I recall correctly that program won't create backup images on usb,


You could install this free backup image program to do the job.

Download and install Aomei Backupper standard ( free ) version
Best Windows Backup and Restore Software | AOMEI Backupper


Create boot media from the program interface and point it your usb stick.
Create Windows PE or Linux Bootable Disc/USB/ISO
When that has completed, create an image and also also point at the usb to store the image.

If you are planning on restoring the image to different pc ther are a couple of considerations:

1. You might need to adjust windows to boot on new hardware

2. You will need a valid windows license key to activate on the new pc.

I'm sorry, I just assumed most Windows 7 Backup & Restore programs were pretty much the same. I have Windows 7 Professional right now, and I was using Win 7 Ultimate the last time you helped me, and the computer that I had for a long time that just went kablooie was a Win 7 Home Premium and the Backup program looked the same. You know the default Win 7 backup program. I just wanted to back up my documents, pictures, some downloads and a few programs that I have paid for, & Win 7 OS and Microsoft Office.
Also, to be honest, I really don't know what an "image" actually is or in what way it is different to just a regular scheduled backup and usually I get the notification that I can't do an image backup for some reason anyway so I never really took the time to find out.

When I go to change the settings for the backup it asks me what destination I am going to put the backup on, but it never gives me a choice, I am only be able to put in on a DVD. I tried several things this morning to try and get around using the DVD because the hints and instructions tell me I can use several options. I clicked on the "destination bar" that does actually have a down arrow on the right side, but it won't show anything other than DVD.

The problem is that the DVD player/burner does not read or detect any media when I put in a disk. I think something DID happen when he dropped the whole Desktop PC on the concrete floor. When I think back on that, I can't believe that I am not more self protective. I should have said, "I don't think I want that one now" I have done a lot of things to my computers over the years but I have never done that!!

And, as far as planning on restoring an image (no) backup (yes) to a different PC, I thought I might someday, but all the PC's this guy sells have licensed Windows 7 on them, which is what I want also. I just thought it couldn't hurt to have this one backed up as I DO have a new blank hard drive that I bought several years ago expecting my hard drive to fail any day, (but it never did) The tech guy said I had 30 Gigs of Video on it. How is that possible? I only had 4 GB memory installed on a 750 GB SATA.? Never mind. Don't try to explain. I am already on information overload as it is.
I also have the original HP Windows 7 Home Premium Recovery Disks that I made when I first bought my HP Pavilion p6610f Desktop in 2012 It is a set of 3 disks with HP programs and Win 7 on it and the product key to that is on the side of this cannibalized PC on the floor behind me. Wouldn't I be able to use that on the exact same size SATA in just about any HP Desktop that is similar to that one?

And, seriously, I am so much of a novice compared to you that I don't understand what you wrote: "Create boot media from the program interface and point it your usb stick." I am pretty much just learning how to do some things on my own due to my computer breaking down or having a software glitch usually. I look things up and most of the time I can figure out how to do the basics.

So, I guess you are saying that I can't use the default Windows 7 backup program (not 'create image' program) and put it on a Flash Drive instead of a DVD?
Geez, I am sorry to be such a difficult case. I hope I am not taking up too much of your time.

Desktop took a 4-foot drop onto a concrete floor?!? -- Ok, get your stuff backed up using either Macrium Reflect or EaseUS ToDo or anything similar onto any reliable external HDD -- and return computer pronto for full refund or store credit.

ROLAND!! YES! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I PLANNED TO DO, REFUSE TO BUY THAT PC AFTER HE DROPPED IT 4 FEET. BUT HE PLUGGED IT IN, IT BOOTED UP INSTANTLY, PICTURE ON MONITOR LOOKED GREAT.



HE THEN TOOK THE HARD DRIVE I BROUGHT IN WITH ME FROM MY LOST FOREVER HP PC AND HE COPIED SEVERAL FOLDERS ONTO THE CURRENT HARD DRIVE WHICH SEEMS TO WORK PRETTY WELL, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME STRANGE ANOMALIES THAT SEEM, TO POP UP WHEN I AM USING THE YOUTUBE SITE.


WHEN I SCAN DOWN VIDEO THUMBNAILS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN WITH MY CURSOR LIKE I HAVE ALWAYS DONE, WHEN I GET TO THE LAST ONE VISIBLE IN THE LIST, I CLICK ON THE "MORE: WORD, AND THEN IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS BUFFERING ON MY SCREEN for awhile WITH THE WHITE CIRCLE THAT KEEPS GOING AROUND AND AROUND, BUT THEN IT JUST DISAPPEARS, I CAN NEVER SEE THE EXTRA THUMBNAILS THAT WOULD NORMALLY SHOW UP WHEN I CLICK ON MORE.


Other than that and the DVD player/burner not working, everything else seems to be fine. I don't use that many programs to have run into any more anomalies.
He said he would install another DVD player/burner but I could tell by how testy he became, that he was going to be difficult to deal with if I asked for anything more.


I guess that is what I should do though, I should just say that I want a comparable PC, but one has not been dropped and that everything works, right out of the gate.


I haven't felt well enough to want to trek this PC back to his store 20 miles away. But, I will go buy an external hard drive tomorrow and then take a cab back to the tech shop maybe next Monday and do what you suggest . Thank you! Ugh! I'm already nervous just thinking about it. Never one who cared for confrontations. As a child, it would usually end up with me getting beat up.

I can't help but be curious what the name of the tech store is since I'm also a Zonie.

Also, Macrium Reflect Free can backup to a USB (using imaging). Or you could just copy and paste your data (not the OS and programs) to the USB.

@Mangonanny -- You're correct, it is hard to be very patient and calm during a storm -- keep us updated, thanks!