Backup DVDs for a compaq

[JP83]

Hello, I told my mother to buy a compaq since she's just facebooking and doing crosswords. I went to her place to create the image of her PC, since a compaq does not come with a win7 DVD. Only a home premium cd-key sticked to the side of the case. I insert my DVD+R and use the win7 tool to create an image, and it asks me to format the DVD+R, I just can't, it is not DVD+RW. Pressing cancel will just stop the process, so I click accept, and it format the DVD+R then burn the DVD-01, test it, and it says : DVD corrupted insert a new one, which will be the new DVD-01. It's obvious that it could not work with a DVD that isn't rewritable, anyway, how can I create an image for her PC without buying a DVD+RW or DVD-RW? I have like 150 DVD+R, I find it kinda retarded from Microsoft. I might be missing something, please help, I'd like to create the image as soon as possible, she only has her anti-virus and firefox installed and the system is still super clean.

 

[Jonathan_King]

What you can do is create a new partition on the hard drive, then store the image there.

See these tutorials:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2672-partition-volume-shrink.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

 

[JP83]

I don't want to, if the HDD is to die in 3 years, I'll need the DVDs

 

[Jonathan_King]

Well you can store the image anywhere you want. If you have an external drive, you could put it there.

I'm sorry, I don't think there is a way to fool Windows into believing you have a DVD-RW.

With the prices of external hard drives these days, you may want to consider picking one up.

Newegg.com - External Hard Drive, USB Hard Drives, Portable Hard Drive, WD External Hard Drives, Seagate External Hard Drives, Hard Drive

 

[JP83]

I wasn't clear sorry, I don't mind buying 3 DVD-RW for $5, it's just that it's illogical for windows 7 to enforce the use of rewritables, and before buying them I want to make sure it's really the fault of my DVD+R and not windows'.

 

[Wishmaster]

Are you talking about the Compaq rescue images?

Have you tried another disc?
Perhaps there was something on that one or it was defective which is why it was asking you to erase it.

Forcing you to create a rescue disc with a re-writable just doesnt make sense.

 

[JP83]

I tried 3 disks, with the windows 7 tool, is there a compaq tool?

 

[Wishmaster]

They used to have a way of making rescue discs from the special partition, and would take 2-3 DVDs.
Its been awhile, and with Win7 having built in Imaging they may no longer do this.

You loose all personal DATA with theirs though. It just re-images the drive as it was the day you bought it.

If i were you, I would do as JonathanKing has suggested.

Pick up a external HD, or another HD and just make periodic backups of the entire drive. much easier and far less headache tbh.

 

[Jacee]

It specifically says (system image backup) using DVD RW ... it will take about 15 GBs.

You could order repair disks from Compaq though. They will charge you for the disks and shipping.

 

[JP83]

It specifically says (system image backup) using DVD RW ... it will take about 15 GBs.

You could order repair disks from Compaq though. They will charge you for the disks and shipping.

I've been looking around in windows help and I cannot find anywhere that says DVD RW needed, I'll take your word and buy RW ones.

 

[MadMaxData]

If you use HP's recovery disc creator, rather than Windows tool, you can indeed use DVD+R. I just did this on my Mother's HP Pavillion, and also did it a while back with her HP Compaq Presario. It worked flawlessly. I'll forewarn you though, you only get one shot at this. HP won't allow you to create more than one set of recovery discs.

 

[Wishmaster]

So they do still include this option?

Thats what I was refering to, but its been so long since I had dealt with a Compaq I forgot what it was called

Thanks

 

[JP83]

When I go in the HP menu, the option to make backup DVDs opens the windows 7 tool. I'm now burning the 4th DVD and the 3 previous passed the media check, so I guess they're perfect. The guy who sold me the DVD-RW at the computer store said it's weird cause he's doing all his customer backups using the windows 7 tool with non rewritables DVDs because they are cheaper. This is just f'ed up. Anyway the DVD-RW are working fine.

 

[JP83]

the 4th DVD bugged and I wasn't able to continue with the process, I called HP support and they told me to use DVD+R with a program called CyberLink (which is factory installed) the windows 7 tool was bugging because of the HP image, which is altered from a normal windows 7 image HP sucks, I wasted 5 DVD-RW and 3 DVD+R, not that it's expansive, but WOULD IT KILL THEM to give us a manual? the box comes empty, I had to download it from hp.com for God sake, even a 8½x11 sheet would've done the damn job, I HATE all-in-ones PC thanks everyone for your tips