System Backup does not work writing to DVD

I am trying to get the "Backup" process to work with writing to the DVD. My system is a new ACER PC with 2.2GB Dual core cpu, 3GB RAM, Windows 7 (64bit) installed, so it has enough power and the right hardware. I close all applications such as browsers, word, mail, etc. I setup the directories that I want backed up via the Backup and Restore function settings and they come to about 3.9GB. I am using DVD-R 4.7GB 16x (2hrs) type DVDs. I then click on the "Back up now" button. It starts the process by shadowing, asks to format the DVD (I click yes) and then it seems to start the process of writing to the DVD, I see the DVD led light of on/off/on/etc but it takes a long time. It finally comes back and indicates failure of the backup. I get the following in a pop up window: (See attached file as well)
(Note: I am not doing a system image type backup, just some word docs, pictures, files, and music.)

Windows Backup: Troubleshooting Options
Check your backup
The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid. 1_ Try to run backup again 2) Change backup setting
Details: Backup time .....
Backup location ......
Error Code: 0x800703EE

Any thoughts as to what is not working or what I might be doing wrong?
Thank you
AWS

Using windows backup is a bad choice to start with. Half of the time it does not work and you can never be sure whether the restore will work. Using DVDs for backup is another bad choice which should only be used if you have absolutely no other option.
I suggest you use either a USB stick or an external disk, define a folder (e.g. My Files) on it and copy your files into that folder. Then you are in control and can be sure you can get those files back when needed. For copying, you should have this function in your right click menu.

I have an Acer desktop and have had no problems (touch wood!!!!) creating system images and backing up to DVDs (use TDK Gold +R). I have restored from a DVD created system image. You could try some seperate tests on your disks and hardware.

External hard drives are more convenient of course but they can easily fail.

I know that there are mixed views about the reliability of DVD storage but I am more concerned to hear that Windows backup itself may be unreliable.

mjf said:

I have an Acer desktop and have had no problems (touch wood!!!!) creating system images and backing up to DVDs (use TDK Gold +R). I have restored from a DVD created system image. You could try some seperate tests on your disks and hardware.

External hard drives are more convenient of course but they can easily fail.

I know that there are mixed views about the reliability of DVD storage but I am more concerned to hear that Windows backup itself may be unreliable.

What I have seen is that the windows backup often does not work in the first place (see here). Then the data recovery does not work in many cases - especially if the system was reinstalled. All that can be avoided if you make your own data copy - a larger USB stick is good enough. And I never had any of my 12 USB sticks or any of my 6 external disks fail. And I use them a lot. From one of my USB sticks full of pictures I run my Slide Show gadget - since 3 years 10 hours per day.
It is even worse with the Win7 imaging. One guy had his image on DVDs (30GB worth) and when the recovery program (which is on CD) was done loading, it did not release the CD reader. So he was stuck. With an external disk, that would have probably worked - besides the mess with 7 DVDs for 30GBs. Plus, there is no way to mount the Win7 images and e.g. copy a selected file/folder. With all other imaging programs I know you can do that.

Ok, got the message, yet again issue with Windows and their functions working (or not working as the case maybe). I inherently like DVDs as it is something that can not die on me (like a HDD) and easily store them other places. But I will do as recommended, get a HDD or big Flash and do a copy type backup of files. I have made the DVD image discs but have not tried them yet, will at some point. Thank you all for the input,, silly me for thinking the operating system and functions like this would work. Appreciate the help! awsayer

whs said:

mjf said:

I have an Acer desktop and have had no problems (touch wood!!!!) creating system images and backing up to DVDs (use TDK Gold +R). I have restored from a DVD created system image. You could try some seperate tests on your disks and hardware.

External hard drives are more convenient of course but they can easily fail.

I know that there are mixed views about the reliability of DVD storage but I am more concerned to hear that Windows backup itself may be unreliable.

What I have seen is that the windows backup often does not work in the first place (see here). Then the data recovery does not work in many cases - especially if the system was reinstalled. All that can be avoided if you make your own data copy - a larger USB stick is good enough. And I never had any of my 12 USB sticks or any of my 6 external disks fail. And I use them a lot. From one of my USB sticks full of pictures I run my Slide Show gadget - since 3 years 10 hours per day.
It is even worse with the Win7 imaging. One guy had his image on DVDs (30GB worth) and when the recovery program (which is on CD) was done loading, it did not release the CD reader. So he was stuck. With an external disk, that would have probably worked - besides the mess with 7 DVDs for 30GBs. Plus, there is no way to mount the Win7 images and e.g. copy a selected file/folder. With all other imaging programs I know you can do that.

I'm currently trying to backup my files to DVD-RWs on Windows 7 and I'm having a lot of trouble as well. However, after reading this post I felt obliged to register to this site and deliver a warning.

Relying on USB sticks to backup data is a very VERY bad idea. You're right that flash drives very rarely fail but it is incredibly easy for the data to become corrupt. They are very susceptible to electric and magnetic fields and data corruption can occur when just putting one near to a power cable or speaker.

This effect isn't noticed as much when a USB stick is in constant use and data is overwritten. However, when you've got data on it that's a few weeks old (reasonable if you're only doing monthly backups) then from my own experience I always find that a large percentage of the files are either partially corrupted or can't be opened at all.

Unfortunately, I learnt about this the hard way when I lost several pages of text and many images in a report I was writing and had saved on a USB stick.

External hard drives are probably the easiest way of creating backups, but there is a small chance of them failing. It's also magnetic media so as they get moved around there is a chance data could be lost if it got put next to strong current or magnet for too long. That's why I've chosen to go with DVDs, as they can only fail in the reading / writing stages. As long as you test the backup / recovery procedure to make sure they work then I think they are the most reliable option. I would only recommend it for DVD-RWs though as you will go through a lot when testing the backups. Hope that helps.