I can NOT get it to back up to a DVD

JDog42 · 01 Sep 2010

Help! I have a new HP that has Windows 7, and I can NOT get it to back up to a DVD!

It worked fine when I first turned it on, and it allowed me to do a backup and then save an image file to DVD, but after I migrated files from my old pc, the backup will not prompt me for a new DVD when the first one gets filled up. I have tried to limit the backup to smaller files, but it still will not prompt me to put in the next DVD.

The IT rep at Staples, wher I purchased it, said I should buy an external backup, but this although this will probably work, I hate to spend extra money - it's a brand new machine with a brand new OP!

Is the Staples rep right? Is it planned by Microsoft that Windows will not allow a backup to DVDs?

What are your recomendations?

Thanks in advabnce for the help!

Brink · 01 Sep 2010

The Staples Rep is wrong. Windows 7 can backup to DVDs if you like. However, it is best to backup to either a NTFS formated external HDD or another internal HDD. DVDs are bad about failing.

JDog42 · 01 Sep 2010

Thanks, but is it posible that 10 DVD's failed? I have HP DVD + disks, and have tried repeatedly to get them to work... I have tried at least 2 complete backups, several data backups, selecting different critera, and none of them work.

Any ideas that WILL allow me to use dvds, so I don't have to purchase an external HD?

And thanks for getting bcak to me so promptly too!

Brink · 01 Sep 2010

If you have a desktop, then you would be much better served by getting a new internal HDD to use to backup to. You can get them pretty cheap these days. Newegg is a good online retailer with cheap prices, or you can use to compare drives and prices at.

I've used DVD+R type DVDs without issue before.

JDog42 · 01 Sep 2010

Thanks, but I can get a 320 GB "SimpleSave" ext backup for @ $50 on sale...

BUT, it gripes my butt to not be able to backupto DVD!v :)

whs · 01 Sep 2010

Just stop fighting it and bite the bullet and buy the external disk. DVDs are the worst options (in terms of reliability and cost) for images and expensive in the long run. If you want to do serious imaging, you have to make an image at least once a week (I make one once a day). Imagine managing all those DVDs-

Btw: in my book, a PC without a couple of external disks is pretty useless - especially a laptop that has only 1 HDD.

CarlTR6 · 01 Sep 2010

+1 Solid advice.

Techymike · 01 Sep 2010

I have felt better for myself to use an external or portable drive along with an extra internal drive for back ups. Some data such as pictures of family is not worth the risk on saving a buck.
I might add that I have also saved back ups on RW Blue Ray Disks that have never failed.

You have to do a back up these days so do what you can that fits your budget.

By the way,

why do all the companies that sell laptops bother with a back up on the same drive? That is so cheap!

Why don't the cheap SOB's simply add the software and Op Sys on separate DVD's? There are so many users that do not understand how to create a back up that will work when they need it!

gregrocker · 01 Sep 2010

Until you get an external: you can save the image file to your HD as a file, or create a Primary partition for it like the factory does.

You can then copy it over the network to another computer's hard drive for storage.

I keep our 6 home computers' images in a Primary partition on their HD, on an external and backed up to a Storage partition on my HD.

It's better to have it on another HD in case yours fails, but the factory doesn't do that so you can afford to park it in it's own partition or even save it as a file on your HD until you can back it up elsewhere.

Edit: THe reason to create a Primary Partition for it as the factory does is that if Win7 won't start and you boot the Repair CD or DVD Repair console, then click Recover Using Image, it will autodetect the image in its own "drive" on HD unless it is borked. I don't think it will similarly autodetect it if it is filed in Explorer, unless perhaps in the root. Try it to see.

DeaconFrost · 03 Sep 2010

JDog42 said:

The IT rep at Staples,

You're doing the IT crowd an injustice by referring to their staff as IT. Anyway, can you burn normal files to DVD? If so, than it is probably just an issue with the backup/imaging software. I also agree with the external hard drive idea. If you are complaining about the $50, then you should have bought the computer direct to save money, as opposed to getting it from Staples in the first place...so we can throw out the extra cost complaint. Also, is the data you are trying to back up worth $50 to you? if so, there's your answer.

Given that it is an HP, you should create your DVD restoration set first, however, and then store those discs in a safe place.