Need help with back up

[Bobh]

Hi -
I am running Vista Home Basic  32 bit.   I am trying to run a back up.  I insert a disc and the program formats the disc and starts the back up.  After a while it asks for another disc.  I put in another disc but the program never formats the disc as it did the firest one and it tells me there is no disc inserted.  I was told that the second disc had to be formated before being inserted.  I started over and when it came time for the second disc, I inserted one that I formated before starting the program.  Again the program said no disc was inserted.  I hope this is plain enough for somebody to tell me what I am doing wrong.   Thanks   Bob

[patio]

I'm not trying to discourage you from backing up...far from it.
But i found the Windows built in backup utilities flakey and a bit clunky.

One option you have would be to pre-format a bunch of CD's using your CD/DVD burning app..
Try that and see if things change.

If not Post back and i can suggest some alternative approaches for you...

[Allan]

I'm not going to wait for you to post back . Your best backup solution is disk imaging. There are any number of good choices, both paid and free. If I were you (or ANYONE), I'd look into it.

[Bobh]

Patio -
When I formated the disc I right clicked on the RW (E:) and a panel came up that had
"format" in the list.  I clicked on that.  Can you explain more about "using your CD/DVD burning app"  I have never burned a DVD.  Thanks   Bob

[Bobh]

Allen -
I don't know what "disk imaging" is.  Can you explain to some one who doesn't know much about computers.  Thanks   Bob

[Allan]

The software essentially takes a "snapshot" of your hd. You can restore the entire drive, partition, or any files or folders at any time in the future. I image my system partition twice a week and save it to a separate hd, keep the 3 newest images. Acronis True Image is, in my opinion, the best of breed. It is not free. There are a number of excellent free options as well.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS304US305&q=disk+imaging

[Bobh]

Allan -
Thanks for your reply.  I will work on this tomarrow.  Bob

[Broni]

Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/ - not free, but the best

Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

[Bobh]

Broni -
Thanks for your reply.  I downloaded your free recommendation.  I chose the free one because I do not have anything really really important to save.  I only use my computer to e-mail, do jig saw puzzles, get weather, etc.  Loosing everything and starting over is something I have done a couple of times in my learning process.  I will try this way of backing up my files.   Bob

[Bobh]

Patio -
OK  I figured out that when I put a DVD in the tray and downloaded I was burning a DVD.  I did pre-formatted a couple of DVDs and tried to use them but when it came time to use the second DVD I kept getting a message that said there was no disc inserted.  I would still like to make my own back up but if I can't I am going to use the recommendation that Broni gave me.  If you want to make other suggestions I will try them.   Thanks for your time.    Bob

[patio]

I would go ahead and use the Macrium Reflect...it works well as i personally tested it myself and it's far easier than the Vista backup.

[Bobh]

Patio -
I very carefully formatted 2 discs.  I know they were formatted because afterwards  they had 4.37GB free.  However, the back up program continued to say there was no disc inserted.   I give up.  I will just use Macrium Reflect as you and others suggest.  It just bothers me that something does not work like it is supposed to.  I thank you and others who helped me with this problem.  Could not get along with you.   Bob

[patio]

Bob...
i understand your  frustration... Vista backup suxx...
Macrium will handle it...

[Bobh]

Patio -
Boy I have got to be more careful what I write.  What I meant to say was, " I could not get along WITHOUT you."    Bob

[patio]