Complete backup strange problem

[Guest]

I am trying to backup all my new laptop before starting using it (SOny
SZ4XXX). It came with no system and OS disk so I need a complete backup to
make sure I can restage the PC later if I need it. I tried several times the
procedure using DVD-R but when it complete writing the first DVD, it ask
again for disk 1 and not as one would expect, disk 2. It also locks the DVD
driver so that the only way to eject the disk is to command it via the
Computer/Disk/Eject software route and once the new disk is inserted it
writes again disk 1...and so on many times. I am desperate as I cannot use
the computer in case something goes wrong (it would leave me with no copy of
Vista and all the other software) and I am wondering if some of you can:
a) help with this specific problem
b) tell me if buying a third party software for complete backups (such as
Acronis) would give me the same result (a safe copy of all files/programs etc
INCLUDING Vista.
I use Vista Business by the way and if any of you can help I would be
ethernally grateful.
Thanks
A

 

[Jill Zoeller [MSFT]]

Fyi, Andy reported in a separate thread that different DVD media and
pre-formatting the DVDs solved the issue.

 

[Guest]

If i was you, I would buy an external USB hard drive for a backup. One
strange thring about Vista is that when you install it, it takes a while to
open installation files, compressed?. I have an 80gig hard drive, and after
it was all installed, I only have 60gig free space left
Mick