Don't know what to do when restoring files from backup DVDs.

[WallyxD]

Hey guys, a while ago, maybe a few months ago, the blue screen kept coming up whenever I'd start up my laptop. I eventually had to backup all my information. It was 32ish GB worth. I now have 8 or 9 DVDs with all my documents, programs, and music on them. Since then, I've reinstalled a few of the programs I already have on the DVDs. Could someone tell me how to I guess restore using all 8 or 9 of my DVDs.?

Or if possible, are there any programs I can install that'll allow me to look for specific programs on my backup DVDs.? I'm mainly concerned with my Itunes account, and I know for a fact that the iTunes programs and music and stuff is on more than 1 disc.

 

[marsmimar]

With most backup programs you'd start off with disc # 1 and just wait for the prompt to insert the next disc. However, I think many people on this Forum strongly suggest NOT using discs for backup and instead recommend an external hard drive. If one disc didn't burn correctly the entire backup is effectively ruined.

I've reinstalled a few of the programs I already have on the DVDs . . . are there any programs I can install that'll allow me to look for specific programs on my backup DVDs.?

That's another problem using discs for backup. You can only search one disk at a time. Whatever procedure you used to find the programs you've already reinstalled would work. Don't need third party programs.

 

[WallyxD]

I wasn't too fond of the idea of having to spend a ton of money on an external hard drive haha. Nor would my mom have gave me money for a hard drive as that would've been the only time I would need it.

So when I start with disk 1 what do I do.?

 

[marsmimar]

Open up the CD/DVD tray and leave it open. Set the boot order in your BIOS to boot from the optical drive (the CD/DVD player) as the first choice. (Depending on what make/ model computer you have you may be able to do a one-time change of the boot order by clicking the F12 key or perhaps some other Fn key at startup.)

Insert disc # 1, close the tray, reboot your machine and follow the prompts. You'll probably get a prompt to press any key to boot from the CD/DVD. You can click the spacebar. If you miss the prompt the computer will boot into the hard drive. You'll need to wait until the boot process is finished and then try it again so disc # 1 is what's being used, not the hard drive.