Windows Backup & Restore to DVD - how to set burn speed?

[billm5]

The DVD burner on my laptop is capable of burning at 8x. Given that I have 8x or 16x-capable discs, how do I convince Backup & Restore to burn at the higher speed? It seems to run at 4x all the time.

(Yes, as an IT guy for decades, I know Windows Backup & Restore is lame, but it's all I have available at the moment to do weekly backups of my data, which usually run to around 6GB, i.e. 2 discs. Suggestions of other reliable-but-cheap (ha!) backup software would be interesting, but I really want the answer to the question as-written.)

 

[oscer1]

Hi I do not know off hand how to change the write speed but it is always recommend to burn at the slowest speed. As for other back up software their is this Macrium Reflect Free

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you for telling us exactly how you want us to reply to your post.
How kind of you.

Different burn programs have different speeds available. 4 or 8 speed will work just fine.

As post in oscer1 post Macrium Reflect Free is a very good program.

Now if you so see fit could you answer a question.

**Why would a IT guy for decades be using CD/DVD for backups?**

From post #1

(Yes, as an IT guy for decades

If you would like some options on other methods of backing up, this forum has a young lady that does quite solid methods of backing up just about anything.
With your permission I can request her to give guidance. I don't believe she is a I.T. expert.

Note:
I'm also not a I.T. expert just a lowly home user of Macrium Reflect Free.

 

[billm5]

Thank you for the comments. I am using DVD for backups simply because there is no alternative on the laptop that has become my primary tool. I will not make disparaging remarks about Macrium or any other third-party product (particularly without evidence!) ... but I admit a moderate-level resistance to using products that are not "household names," for a critical function such as backup (having been, in the past, well, "burned" too easily, if not quickly ). "Back in the day" (in the XP era), I used a freeware product called zipbackup, which worked quite effectively, but which seems to have vanished from the market.

As I said, I know Windows Backup and Restore is somewhat lame, but "the devil you know is better than the one you don't." Different products take different approaches to the problem, which have tradeoffs in reliability, data integrity and performance, and probably a few other variables. At least the Windows product supports incremental backups, so I can do a monthly "everything" and weekly incrementals, which is a very familiar modus operandi... and the fewer variables I have to change in my environment, the better (hence, using the existing tool, but burning at hardware-capable speeds, is "the best solution" if it can be made to work).

 

[Layback Bear]

I use a Samsung 500gb ssd for backup. Two partition. One use for Macrium Reflect Free and one use for Windows 7 built in backup. Yes I'm a little paranoid.
In all the years I have never had to use a backup. Knock on wood.

 

[derekimo]

The DVD burner on my laptop is capable of burning at 8x. Given that I have 8x or 16x-capable discs, how do I convince Backup & Restore to burn at the higher speed? It seems to run at 4x all the time.

(Yes, as an IT guy for decades, I know Windows Backup & Restore is lame, but it's all I have available at the moment to do weekly backups of my data, which usually run to around 6GB, i.e. 2 discs. Suggestions of other reliable-but-cheap (ha!) backup software would be interesting, but I really want the answer to the question as-written.)

If you are trusting it to backup to DVD's you should just let it run as it chooses.

I won't bother with the unreliability of using DVD's as medium to backup to.

Windows backup is a good program but it is limited in functions.

Just let it run how it wants if you want any peace of mind in your backup strategy.