I can NOT get it to back up to a DVD

[JDog42]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

+1 Solid advice.

 

[Techymike]

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! :devil: 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]

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]

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.

 

[mjf]

A few comments for what they are worth...
I can do (Windows) file/folder backup and image to DVD+R (TDK) but honestly it is VERY slow. For some reason a full file/folder backup File/folder backup of around 3GB user data can over an hour. Then there is the endless debate on the reliability of DVD media and long term stability of typical low cost rewriters.

Low cost internal or external USB HDD are the way to go. I believe you need at least 2 because they do fail. I also use 2 imaging programs which are both "free" - MS imaging and Macrium Reflect (free). I'll probably buy the upgraded Macrium. 50GB imaging takes me around 25 min with both MS and Macrium on default settings. Restore about the same time if not a little faster.

In my opinion storing an image on a seperate partition is ok for:
(1) initial trial when you first get your system
(2) sometimes your OS just breaks and a reimage from the other partition could be faster. But still not ideal.

 

[whs]

I think imaging to a partition on the same HDD is OK for a laptop with only one HDD. If you carry the laptop all over the country and do not want to lug an additional external disk, it serves like the OEM recovery partition - only better - and can be useful when you are on the road and need to recover the system. Whilst at home, I would still use an external disk for additional safety.

 

[marsmimar]

FWIW: a lot of people have experienced problems backing up or doing a system image to DVDs. Apparently the brand of DVD burner in the computer, the brand of DVDs being used, whether the DVDs are + or -, RW or R, and the burning speed all contribute to success or failure. Some people have also discovered that using a blank DVD right out of the box causes problems unless it's formatted first separate from the formatting done by the Win 7 back up or imaging. A Microsoft user forum talks about some of the issues (going back to when 7 was in Beta and never fully addressed by Microsoft.)

Problems creating system image onto DVD-RW

 

[Hopalong X]

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

JDog42

Definitely make your HP restore disks. Usually takes 2-3 DVD's.
This only takes you to your original system but you will need them possibly one day.

I'm a newbie on this forum.
I just built this system I am using 3 weeks ago. My first build. My first Win7.
Always had HP's with XP Pro the past eight years plus.

I mention this only to recommend what I have found the past few weeks.
You need two hard drives unfortunately.
Even if the second is a small external for back-up and a sytem image.
I didn't want to spend the extra $$$ either but I did.

All the pre-built PC's should come with an advisory in large enough lettering to read.

"It is highly recommended that you have an external storage device over 50GB in size to store backup files and images.
Not included."


As I said earlier I didn't really want to spend the extra money right now but it was the best alternative.

Good luck.
Mike

 

[Wishmaster]

AS many have already stated, you are much better off Backing up to a Hard Drive.

Be it a internal drive set aside for backups, or a external drive. Burning Images to DVD is really only useful as a hard back up of Key restore points.

For example, a clean install of Windows that is activated, and possibly a second with all your software installed and settings made.

Its simply not that effecient as a regular backup method, nor to be depended on. But still, leave the original backup on a Hard Drive as well.



Having said that, saving a Image to a DVD should be possible. But you will need to Create a backup image to a Hard Drive 1st. Then burn that image to a DVD as a DATA disc.




Keep this in mind:

If you move all of your DATA off the OS drive (being picture, Music, Videos, Documents) the basic Image of Windows with little software installed will take up a regular DVD.

Once you get all your software installed, it will likely take most of a Dual Layer DVD for the Image to be saved.

This will be highly dependant on the Imaging program you choose. Some compress the back up better than others.

Be sure to verify the Image after you create it.
Burn slowly, and verify the burn afterwards,

You will still need to back up all your user DATA as a seperate backup.

 

[mjf]

Having said that, saving a Image to a DVD should be possible. But you will need to Create a backup image to a Hard Drive 1st. Then burn that image to a DVD as a DATA disc.

Saving an image directly to a DVD is an option with Windows and 3rd party imaging software.
In the past I restored from a windows 7 DVD image made directly to the DVDs in the first instance.
But as stated many times before practice seems to indicate that DVDs are not a good choice.

 

[Maxxwire]

But as stated many times before practice seems to indicate that DVDs are not a good choice.

I now have over 400 GB in System Images, Macrium Reflect Images and Data backed up on 3 different external inert drives and it would take over 250 DVD's to cover the same job of backup. As soon as I finish posting here I'm going to do a fresh 24 GB System Image Backup on my LaCie 2TB eSATA Drive which shouldn't take but a few minutes.

~Maxx~
.

 

[Maxxwire]

The 24.4 GB Windows System Image Backup took 5:41 minutes which is decidedly longer than the 3:35 minutes it takes to do a 7.9 GB Macrium Reflect Image Backup, but at least I didn't have to fumble around putting it on 6 DVD's.

~Maxx~
.

 

[Techymike]

It looks like everyone here is in agreement that an external drive or adding another internal drive is the way to go. Do you need help with how to add another internal drive? I do not mean to offend you with that question. I simply wish to offer help and as I have no idea how familiar you are with the insides of a PC.

Newegg.com - Hard Drives, Internal Hard Drives, Western Digital Hard Drives, Seagate Hard Drives, Hitachi Hard Drives, SAMSUNG Hard Drives, Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=414&name=External-Hard-Drives

Here is a good place to get a hard drive and there are a few under $40 and some with free shipping. I hope this helps you out.