Using the Windows Backup utility with DVD/RW media

[Guest]

Hello

I am trying to backup my computer using Windows Backup, the one that comes
with Windows XP, and my DVD- RW burner. At first I couldn't get Windows
Backup to recognize the DVD- RW media. I got past this by buying Device
Letter Access, from Sonic Solutions, now back up will only write until the
disk is full, 4.7GB, then it will stop without prompting for the next desk.
It gives a message saying that backups can only be 4gb on this device. Where
am I doing wrong? How can I make backup span the DVD- RW discs I like the
Windows Backup program's capabilities to shadow copy "in use" files and do
various types of backups and ease of use. Besides Windows Backup comes with
Windows XP and should serve my needs without me spending more money on other
backup programs. I feel cheated and want to try to make it work anyway. At
least I got the Windows Backup utility to save files directly to a CD/DVD-RW
drive. This is kind of cool since the official MSWindowsXP web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/backup.mspx'
boldly stated that "the Windows Backup utility can't save files directly to a
CD-RW drive.".

My computer also came preloaded with My DVD Plus,Ver.7 by Sonic which has a
very basic "digital media" backup program that wasn't really meant for system
backups. I haven't successfully gotten though a system backup without My DVD
stopping the backup project for varoius reasons like disk errors without
giving me a chance to insert a new disk or fix the problem. After writing
files for hours, when an error inevitably happened, it would start completely
over from the beginning gathering and copying files. This has so frustrated
me that I am thinking about removing Sonic's progams.

I would apreciate any "inexpensive" sugestions you might have. Mabe this
info will help you.

Thanks, Jerry

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am trying to backup my computer using Windows Backup, the one
that comes with Windows XP, and my DVD- RW burner. At first I
couldn't get Windows Backup to recognize the DVD- RW media. I got
past this by buying Device Letter Access, from Sonic Solutions, now
back up will only write until the disk is full, 4.7GB, then it will
stop without prompting for the next desk. It gives a message saying
that backups can only be 4gb on this device. Where am I doing
wrong? How can I make backup span the DVD- RW discs I like the
Windows Backup program's capabilities to shadow copy "in use" files
and do various types of backups and ease of use. Besides Windows
Backup comes with Windows XP and should serve my needs without me
spending more money on other backup programs. I feel cheated and
want to try to make it work anyway. At least I got the Windows
Backup utility to save files directly to a CD/DVD-RW drive. This is
kind of cool since the official MSWindowsXP web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/backup.mspx'
boldly stated that "the Windows Backup utility can't save files
directly to a CD-RW drive.".

My computer also came preloaded with My DVD Plus,Ver.7 by Sonic
which has a very basic "digital media" backup program that wasn't
really meant for system backups. I haven't successfully gotten
though a system backup without My DVD stopping the backup project
for varoius reasons like disk errors without giving me a chance to
insert a new disk or fix the problem. After writing files for
hours, when an error inevitably happened, it would start completely
over from the beginning gathering and copying files. This has so
frustrated me that I am thinking about removing Sonic's progams.

I would apreciate any "inexpensive" sugestions you might have.
Mabe this info will help you.

Why not make backup to files 4.5GB or less and then burn them yourself?
That way you can time when you are around to burn and that will give you
more freedom.
An inexpensive external hard disk drive might be a good idea too.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Shenan Stanley,

Of course my last resort was to "split" the backup file in to 4.5GB pieces.
My problem with that approch is that I haven't found a good file slitter or
disk spanner program. I've tried the old programs from years ago written for
win 3.0 but they are either to slow or not compatable for files that large.
I dont know how to make the backup utility itself give me a backup in DVD
size chunks (would be nice). If anyone knows how to get the backup utility
to do this or knows of a good Win XP disk spanner utility that works for
DVD's please tell me.