XP Pro backup utility

R

Rickyseven

Why doesn't Win XP Pro backup utility recognize my CD or DVD drive so I can
backup files to these drives?
 
M

Mark L. Ferguson

You have to accept the fact that the maker of the backup utility chose to
make backup to CD impossible as 'expected behavior' and 'by design'. Finding
a way to make 'continouos disks' for a backup that took more than one CD was
too complex for what they wanted to deal with. (They would never admit to
this. More than one floppy was easier, and a part of the DOS OS. Likewise,
more than one 'tape drive'.)
So, your question is: "Is there a way", and the answert is 'yes, BUT' ...
the saved files cannot exceed the capacity of 'ONE CD'. (700 mgb?) (OK, one
DVD ??? mgb)

The trick you use to do a backup to one disk is to create a 'mapped network
drive' out of the CD/DVD drive/burner, and direct the backup there.
 
N

Nepatsfan

Rickyseven said:
Why doesn't Win XP Pro backup utility recognize my CD or DVD drive so I can
backup files to these drives?

Take a look at this article from Microsoft for an explanation.

Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315255

The usual workaround is to save the .bkf file to your hard drive and then burn
it to CD or DVD. For this reason, many users rely on imaging programs such as
Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost to handle their backup needs.

Note: If you have packet writing software such as Nero's InCD or Roxio's DLA
installed and running in the background on your computer, the backup program
supplied with Windows XP will back up directly to CDs or DVDs.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
P

philo

Rickyseven said:
Why doesn't Win XP Pro backup utility recognize my CD or DVD drive so I can
backup files to these drives?


Do not use XP backup...really too many reasons for me to go into.
Best to just burn the files you wish to backup...directly to DVD
 
K

Ken Blake, MVP

Why doesn't Win XP Pro backup utility recognize my CD or DVD drive so I can
backup files to these drives?


Because it's the least capable and most primitive of virtually all
available backup software. If you want more and better features, you
need a better program. I recommend Acronis TrueImage.
 
R

Rickyseven

Rickyseven said:
Why doesn't Win XP Pro backup utility recognize my CD or DVD drive so I can
backup files to these drives?

Thanks to all of you for your generous help and suggestions!
Be Well.
 

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