Solved Create a System Repair Disc

[ukthesis]

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.

 

[theog]

How to Create a System Repair CD

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[seavixen32]

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

 

[Brink]

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.

 

[mjf]

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.

 

[marsmimar]

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.

 

[mjf]

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.

 

[Bill2]

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

 

[ukthesis]

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.

 

[Bill2]

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."

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

Make a bootable flash drive. I use this method:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Dont dump the win7 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.

 

[ukthesis]

I'll keep that for reference. It would seem simpler to "un" format a DVD, but how's that done? Also, to remove all other files from it.

 

[Bill2]

Unformat a dvd? You mean erase the dvd contents? Just use any dvd burning program, all of them can erase the dvd, provided its a rewritable dvd. You cant erase the contents of a recordable only dvd.

 

[marsmimar]

Bill, that was going to be my answer. Stop being so fast on the keyboard!

 

[ukthesis]

No, it's not a RW disc. DVD-R. So if it's formatted, I can't use it because I can't undo the formatting?

 

[Bill2]

No, it's not a RW disc. DVD-R. So if it's formatted, I can't use it because I can't undo the formatting?

You cant remove the stuff already there. But if its a multisession disk (you didnt close the session/disk after the first burn) then you can use the remaining empty space on the disk to add more files.

 

[ukthesis]

Did it with an unformatted CD lying around. THANKS. But why isn't it made clear when it tells you on Backup and Restore about this function that you need to use an unformatted disc? Any how PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[theog]

States: insert a BLANK DISC

 

[ukthesis]

Without wanting to seem pedantic, I assumed that you could have a formatted disc that's also "blank" (ie blank in that it has no files saved by myself on it). I bet if you ask most who just fiddle about on their computers, and not those knowing more, they won't know this difference. They will probably assume that if they've not done anything but format their CD's, they consider them as blank (ie with no files they've saved on them).

The other point is that, for routine PC work, formatting discs before use is the norm. This is what one normally does to get them to work.

 

[mjf]

Install DVDs

Just curious. If you have a problem with a System Repair DVD as opposed to CD then wouldn't you expect problems using the Install DVD for the same purpose?

 

[Brink]

Just curious. If you have a problem with a System Repair DVD as opposed to CD then wouldn't you expect problems using the Install DVD for the same purpose?

Please correct me if I misunderstood your question.

The only problem here was that the DVD had been previously formatted. To create the system repair disc the CD or DVD has to be unformatted (blank).