DVD-R(W) for File backup

Carel wrote on 9/29/2002, 10:16 PM

I am looking for a utility to backup files to DVD-R(W). I found a program called InstantBackup on Download.com, but cant get it to work. All other references to DVD-R(W) utilities seem to deal with burning various video formats. I am just looking for something simple that can backup any kind of file.

Comments

riredale wrote on 9/29/2002, 10:42 PM

Are you looking for a utility that can copy files over to DVD-R for safekeeping? Or are you looking for a "Backup" program? If the former is what you want, certainly you can download a trial version of Nero from www.ahead.de . There are lots of other programs that can burn to DVD-R.

Carel wrote on 9/29/2002, 10:55 PM

I am looking for a utility that can copy files over to DVD-R for safekeeping. I have Ulead MovieFactory and DVD COmplete, but don't seem to allow one to format a DVD-R(W) for multi-session file backup. Is Nero different in that respect?

seeker wrote on 9/29/2002, 10:55 PM

Carel,

From the standpoint of cost per megabyte, I think CD-Rs cost less, although you would have the inconvenience of more of them. At the moment I don't have a backup software suggestion, but you have piqued my interest, and if I find a good backup program, I will post a message here.

If you just want to copy files to a DVD or CD, Nero is good. But my three attempts to use Nero to backup my C: drive to CD-Rs failed, and resulted only in making nine coasters. (Another reason for using less expensive CD-Rs.)

-- Burton --

vonhosen wrote on 9/30/2002, 12:34 AM

You could always use Powerquest's Drive image or Norton's Ghost, save the files to a different partition & then burn them to re-writeable media with program like Recordnow Max or Nero.

It's not an incremental back up solution but it is good for backing up the OS & data.

Carel wrote on 9/30/2002, 1:40 AM

Thanks for the recommendations. I will try Recordnow Max, as I see it allows "assigning drive-letter". That means, I assume, that on can add files in multiple sessions. Btw, Vonhosen, I figured out that adding some black infront of the ten minute piece I was trying to burn to DVD solved the stuttering problem.

nolonemo wrote on 9/30/2002, 10:45 AM

Stomp Backup MyPC (formerly Veritas Backup Exec) will do backups to DVD-R or DVD-RW (as well as CD-R, -RW, tape, etc). Its a standard data backup program, does rescue images, full or incremetal backups, you can specify what to backup/exclude, etc.

vonhosen wrote on 9/30/2002, 11:54 AM

You can get both Simple backup & Recordnow Max @ http://www.stompinc.com/sbu/sbu-retail.phtml?cj

yirm wrote on 9/30/2002, 12:08 PM

My Pioneer A04 came with RecordNow DX (formerly Prassi). But I believe it's only sold to OEMs. But as someone posted, Nero should do the job.

However, you bring up one question I've had. It seems that unlike CD-R, you cannot have a "multi-session" DVD-R. Is this correct?

-Jeremy

Chienworks wrote on 9/30/2002, 12:53 PM

Hey, maybe someone here might know ...

Using Nero, whenever i drag a directory that contains shortcuts to the CD window, Nero fills out the shortcut with all the files/directories it points to instead of just copying the tiny little .lnk file. For example, if i want to backup my C:\windows\ directory which contains about 630MB, i drag Windows down to the lower window. Nero then reports that i have selected about 3.6GB to be backed up, most of it in the C:\Windows\Desktop directory which contains shortcut files pointing to .exe files in the C:\Program Files\ directory. Is there any way to tell Nero NOT to do this? I can't even find a reference in the help screens anywhere.